Baby boomers sought for the FAITH healthy ageing trial

This is the question healthy ageing researchers in Sydney are hoping to answer in a new study.

Researchers from University New South Wales are seeking more than 150 Sydney-based seniors, aged 60 to 70 years, for a trial testing whether taking key nutrients can help improve frailty and inflammation.

The Frailty, Ageing and Inflammation Trial for Health (FAITH) is being led by the School of Population Health at UNSW Sydney, Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), and the Microbiome Research Centre (MRC), St George & Sutherland Clinical School.

Chief investigator Dr Adrienne Withall is a healthy ageing expert looking into the link between the gut, brain and physical health with a focus on helping people age well and avoid frailty.

The study will look into the role of the gut microbiome.

"Diet plays a fundamental role in shaping the gut microbiome, and diet and nutritional status are among the most important, modifiable determinants of human health," said Dr Withall said.

"It is exciting that we are starting to understand the links between brain, body and gut health,"

She said not eating enough fruit, vegetables and fibre can negatively impact the microbiome and promote an unhealthy state of inflammation in the body.

But according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), older Australians are not meeting dietary guidelines and may be missing key nutrients., with many over-70s not meeting the recommended daily serves of four out of five food groups.

Meeting dietary guidelines can become more challenging with ageing and lower fruit, vegetable and fibre intakes can lead to a reduction in the production of beneficial short chain fatty acids.

Dr Whitall said short chain fatty acids are important in influencing the microbiome. In the absence of these fatty acids, the body is unable to dampen down inflammation, which may promote the onset of age-related illnesses.

The FAITH study will provide valuable information about whether key nutrients can reduce inflammation and positvely affect the microbiome in older Australian adults.

The hypothesis underlying this research has come from over 18 years of clinical experience from dietitian Ms Milena Katz.

This research is the focus of Milena's PhD and she approached a major Australian supplement provider to see if they would donate the products to enable her to test her theory.

"They liked our proposed trial and agreed to donate their supplements. Now we need people to get involved," Ms Katz said.

"Importantly, this information will help to inform medical dietary therapy to help older people to age well."

The call for participation comes at a time when good nutrition has become a focus for older Australians as the The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety's final report is publicly released.

Participation in the FAITH trial involves taking blood, urine and stool samples at the start and end of the trial, completing surveys and taking nutritional supplements for four months.

All participants enrolled in the study receive a four months' supply of dietary supplements, regular monitoring and dietary advice.