Ailsa Welch is a Professor of Nutritional Epidemiology researching the effects of nutrition on aging, based at The University of East Anglia Medical School. Ailsa’s research focuses on understanding the protective factors in diet for musculoskeletal health (sarcopenia, loss of skeletal muscle mass and function with age), osteoporosis and fracture risk. She also researches into CVD and cancer, in developing dietary assessment methodologies, quantifying measurement error, and in evaluating public health improvement interventions. Ailsa’s research aims to understand the effects of micronutrients (vitamins & minerals) and diet quality (dietary patterns, fatty acids, protein & acid-base load) on musculoskeletal and cardiovascular health. Micronutrient malnutrition also co-exists alongside obesity and chronic disease.

Other more recent projects are investigating better methods for identifying malnutrition.  

Ailsa chaired the Nutrition & Lifestyle Forum of the National Osteoporosis Society and was a member of their Scientific Advisory Committee (2013-2019). She is also the scientific theme lead for Nutrition in the Treatment, Management and Prevention of Disease for the UK Nutrition Society. Ailsa chairs the initiative for ‘Optimising Nutrition and Hydration Practice in Care Homes’ and is a member of the Malnutrition Task Force.

RECRUITING FOR STUDY

A study on the effect of vitamin C on muscle health in older women (VICS)

Where can I find more information?

If you think you might be interested in taking part, please contact the VICS study team using the contact details below for more information.

Miss Jamie Scott or Prof Ailsa Welch

VICS Study, University of East Anglia, Norwich Medical School, NR4 7TJ

Telephone: 01603 591 074 | Email: [email protected]  

Background

What is the study about?

As people get older their muscles get smaller and become weaker. Over time, this can make it more difficult to remain mobile and independent, which can affect the ability to carry out basic activities of daily living. One of the reasons that our muscles get weaker as we get older is that the mitochondria within muscles also age and work less efficiently. Mitochondria are like engines inside our muscles: they provide energy to fuel the movement of our bodies, and also other processes that occur within our muscles. As mitochondria age, they produce less energy and can also produce compounds called oxidants. Oxidants can cause inflammation and can damage our muscles and the mitochondria themselves.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that we get from food. It may help to protect our muscles against the damage caused by oxidants, and may also help our mitochondria to work more efficiently. Researchers at the University of East Anglia want to investigate what effect vitamin C might have on muscle health, and on our mitochondria. This will help us to understand whether vitamin C may be useful for helping older people to remain mobile and independent for longer.

Who can take part?

We are looking for women aged 65 years or over, who have no major health conditions, to take part in this study. We are looking for women who eat less than 4 portions of fruit and vegetables per day; who do not take part in regular exercise; who do not smoke; and who are not currently taking vitamin C supplements.

FURTHER INFORMATION AILSA WELCH BIOGRAPHY

Ailsa was external examiner for the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (2014-2019). She previously led the Metabolic and Endocrine group of the Norfolk and Suffolk Comprehensive Local Research Network, and was a member of the national group (2008 to 2015).

Prior to joining UEA, in 2007, Ailsa was based at the University of Cambridge where she developed dietary assessment methodologies for the European Prospective Investigations into Cancer and Nutrition Study. She also worked at the Royal Society of Chemistry compiling the UK food composition databases and was at King’s College London, based in Somalia and Nigeria. Ailsa is a State Registered Dietitian.

Research Interests

Nutrition and musculoskeletal health (osteoporosis, fractures, sarcopenia & age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and function) and frailty

• Diet and aging
• Dietary methodology
• Dietary fat and protein composition, micronutrients, dietary patterns and acid-base load
• Malnutrition
• Public health nutrition

DPHIL, University of Ulster (2005)

BSc Hons in Nutrition, 2:1 with eligibility for state registration in dietetics, merit  (1977)

Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Practice 2009

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2009-present)

State Registered Dietitian (SRD) No. DT 2305 (1977-present)

Registered Public Health Nutritionist  and member, The Association of Nutrition (1999-2018)

British Nutrition Society, member (elected 1988-present). Scientific theme lead for Public Health Nutrition (2011-2021) and theme lead for Nutrition in the Treatment, Management & Prevention of Disease (2021-present). Member of the Council (2009-2012)

British Dietetic Association, member (number 1276) (1979-present)

The Association for the Study of Obesity, member (1995-2013)

The American Society for Nutrition, member (elected 2014-present)

• Nutrition and musculoskeletal health (osteoporosis, fractures, sarcopenia & age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and function)
• Diet and aging
• Dietary methodology
• Dietary fat and protein composition, micronutrients, dietary patterns and acid-base load
• Malnutrition
• Public health nutrition

Selected Publications 

• Scientific lead for the ‘Public Health Nutrition theme’ for the Nutrition Society (2011 to present)
• Member of the Council of the UK Nutrition Society and member of the Science Committee (elected 2009)
• Chair of the Nutrition and Lifestyle Forum of the National Osteoporosis Society (2013 to 2019, member from 2009)
• Member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the National Osteoporosis Society (2013 to 2019)
• Co-lead  for the Norfolk and Suffolk Metabolic and Endocrine Specialty Group of the UK Comprehensive Local Research Network. Member of the UK National Metabolic and Endocrine Specialty Group (2007-2013)
• Co-lead  for the Eastern Region Metabolic and Endocrine Specialty Group of the UK Comprehensive Research Network and member of the UK National Group (2013-2015)

Nutrition and healthy ageing (nutritional epidemiology): musculoskeletal health (sarcopenia, age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, osteoporosis & risk of fractures); dietary fat (fish & omega 3 fatty acids); dietary protein composition; vitamins & minerals and dietary acid-base balance. Dietary methodologies; translation of epidemiology into public health; evaluating public health interventions.

Ailsa has experience teaching in a wide range of contexts and topics both at undergraduate and post-graduate level. She has a number of internal and external PhD students. 

• Electives tutor for 15 students 

• MBBS student adviser: pastoral and career advice to 15 students

• External examiner for: MSc course in Nutrition for Global Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (2014 to 2018)