On Thursday 30 March, we held our first event of 2017, at Medicity, Nottingham. This free to attend event was made possible through the INSTILS programme – a project part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

Our focus at this meeting was ‘Living well in later life’.

Our first Speaker Nick Bennett, Brunel Healthcare put ‘living well’ into context, presenting themes from The Nutrition Society’s Winter Conference 2016. Three points summarised the presentation:

  • We are all living longer, the % of the population aged over 60 is growing
  • We are all fatter percentage of the population of all ages who are overweight is increasing
  • Our mental cognition is declining, cognitive problems are on the increase.

Presentation concluded that ‘A broad based diet, topped up with supplements which support healthy gut bacteria is the best approach to support long term mental and physical health.’

Our second speaker of the day was Dr Kirsty Porter, Assistant Professor of Dietetics and Nutrition, University of Nottingham. Kirsty has recently completed a project in Northern Ireland related to the role of Vitamin B (In particular B6 & B2) in ageing. Data were presented to show the effect of all B vitamins on cognitive function and the impact of standard drug therapy (eg Metformin, Type II diabetes) lowers the status of these B-vitamins within the body.

The impact of vitamins/minerals/ supplements and medicines interaction was further explored by Mike Wakeman, Total Health & Wellbeing. Polypharmacy – where patients have multiple drug therapies for the aging population. Mike has researched and compiled a database of vitamins/drugs interactions, highlighting this problem and so able to signpost,

The impact of vitamins/minerals/ supplements and medicines interaction was further explored by Mike Wakeman, Total Health & Wellbeing. Polypharmacy – where patients have multiple drug therapies for the aging population. Mike has researched and compiled a database of vitamins/drugs interactions, highlighting this problem and so able to signpost, guide professionals to giving better advice.

Having a great idea is part of the process to selling your own food supplements. Guidance in the area of compliance to the rules and regulations in force is available from many local authority’s. Not all local authority’s offer ‘Primary Authority’ relationships, this service aims to help companies, large or small be compliant. John Stewart from Derbyshire County Council, introduced the concept of primary authority’ and testimonials to support the service.