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Nourishing healthy ageing

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In March 2026, a group of registered dietitians, registered nutritionists and academics specialising in ageing gathered to discuss the role of dairy in women’s nutrition throughout the life course. This document summarises the roundtable discussion and the insights shared.

Roundtable contributors

Chair

  • Barbara Bray MBE, Registered Nutritionist

Speakers

  • Dr Laura Wyness, Registered Nutritionist
  • Dr Oliver Witard, King’s College London

Nutrition across the life course

Women live an average of 83 years, yet only approximately 61 of those are spent in good health.

Women face three overlapping health challenges due to evolving nutritional needs throughout the life course:

  • Early adulthood – Build peak bone mass.
  • Midlife – Muscle maintenance and weight management.
  • Post-menopause– Protect against sarcopenia.
Woman eating a bowl of cereal or muesli
A bowl of yoghurt

Dairy supports evolving nutritional needs

A combination of high-quality protein and bioavailable micronutrients helps women to build, maintain and protect their musculoskeletal health throughout the life course.

Dairy’s unique food matrix, the complex structure of nutrients and bioactive components that influence digestion, absorption and downstream health effects, delivers benefits beyond those seen with isolated nutrients alone.

The dairy matrix  

 

Bioactives Vitamins Macronutrients Minerals
Riboflavin Protein Iodine
Vitamin B5 Fats Potassium
Vitamin B12 Carbohydrates Phosphorous
Calcium

The evidence-intake gap

Despite a robust evidence base, barriers to dairy intake persist:

  • Misinformation, for example cholesterol myths.
  • Body image concerns.
  • Sustainability and plant-forward messaging.
  • Knowledge gaps around portion sizes.

Bridging the evidence-intake gap requires research and policy change

  • Consumer-facing communication that promotes practical behaviour change.
  • Alignment of nutrition policy with real-world dietary behaviour.
  • Balancing environmental goals with nutritional adequacy.
  • Further UK-specific research into dietary patterns, protein requirements and probiotics.

Nutrition

Nutrition professionals play a critical role in tackling the nutritional challenges that accompany an ageing population. By transforming evidence into practical advice, dietitians may promote nutritional adequacy and support women to live not only longer, but healthier lives.

Download the roundtable summary here

 

Read the full article by Registered Nutritionist Barbara Bray MBE in the July/August issue of Dietetics Today

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