The aging global population presents a challenge as evidence shows that additional life-years are spent in poor health, with physical and cognitive decline, increased risk of non-communicable and neurodegenerative disease, and susceptibility to infection. Such morbidities not only restrict our social and ...
The aging global population presents a challenge as evidence shows that additional life-years are spent in poor health, with physical and cognitive decline, increased risk of non-communicable and neurodegenerative disease, and susceptibility to infection. Such morbidities not only restrict our social and emotional wellbeing, they limit economic growth and increase pressure on already struggling healthcare systems.
Lifestyle factors such as diet play a crucial role in healthy aging. Studies suggest that diets low in calories but rich in nutrients, with a greater proportion of carbohydrates from plant sources, and limited consumption of dairy, fish, meat, and processed/refined foods may improve longevity. Specific foods such as garlic, purple sweet potato, soya beans, and olive oil may also have lifespan-extending properties. Eating behaviors such as mindful eating, social dining, and not over indulging, have also been linked to longer life. In particular, caloric restriction and intermittent fasting/time-restricted feeding have received great interest for extending healthy lifespan, as has the potential importance of the microbiome.
Certain populations in Longevity Blue Zones, where unusually high numbers of people live to be over 90 or 100, provide valuable insights. Such individuals appear not to be resistant to the development of age-associated disease, but exhibit either delayed onset or improved survival, however these populations are difficult to study due to their cultural, genetic, and geographical heterogeneity, small size, and the fact that dietary patterns and habits change throughout life.
Research has identified the mechanisms by which nutrition plays a role in healthy aging, including modulating oxidative stress, metabolism, inflammation, genetic regulation, and cell signaling and survival. Nevertheless, continuing to explore and advance knowledge on dietary changes that promote healthy aging is crucial for improving overall population health, reducing healthcare burden, and facilitating economic growth.
This Research Topic therefore welcomes Original Research, Reviews and Mini Reviews, and Commentary, Opinion, and Perspective articles investigating the diets of elderly individuals and populations, including but not limited to the following topics:
•Dietary patterns or foods associated with increased longevity, and their biological and metabolic mechanisms.
•Epidemiological studies in aging and old populations regarding associations between diet/nutrition throughout life and increased lifespan.
•Existing dietary patterns and eating habits of elderly persons
•Diet-Microbiome interactions in the context of longevity and their role for healthy aging
•Methodological studies highlighting improved methods for investigating nutrition and longevity in elderly populations.
•New and emerging biomarkers for studying aging and age-related health and morbidities.
•Health, social, economic, and political implications for living longer in good health.
Keywords:nonagenarian, centenarian, elderly, life expectancy, longevity, dietary patterns, healthy aging, longevity blue zones
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
