It has also become clear that the microbiota is tightly liked to diet – where the food you eat probably controls the kind of bacteria you carry – but relatively little is known about how diet and lifestyle influence, and are influenced by, the bacteria in the gut.  What is known is that diet influences health indirectly as well as directly, but if the wrong microbiota is present, there may be health issues that cannot be resolved.

The ELDERMET project (funded by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and the Health Research Board as part of the Food for Health Research Initiative, 2007) is run in conjunction with Cork area hospitals and Teagasc, Fermoy.

Once the connection between diet, lifestyle, gut bacteria and health has been investigated by ELDERMET, the knowledge gained will not only influence the foods eaten by older people, but will also promote health by shaping the design of new foods and food ingredients produced specifically for the older age-group.  Further practical outcomes such as improved quality of life and new diagnostics for illness and disease highlight the significance and potential impact of ELDERMET.

For ELDERMET to be successful, we need you!  ELDERMET is at present recruiting people who will help to answer important scientific questions and aid in the establishment of dietary strategies for the elderly Irish population.  If you or someone you know is over 65 years, is currently taking an antibiotic or has taken an antibiotic in the last 2-3 weeks then we would like to hear from you! If you would like more information, or would like to be part of ELDERMET, please contact: Ms Patricia Egan (Research Nurse) at: 021 4922140/087 7610415 or Dr Eibhlís O’Connor at: 021 4901754 (eibhlis.oconnor@ucc.ie ) or visit: http://eldermet.ucc.ie/

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