Food and Agricultural Immunology

Nutritional Approaches to Inflammaging, Sarcopenia, and Frailty

Population aging represents one of the most pressing public health challenges of the 21st century, with a growing proportion of older adults experiencing age-related declines in physiological reserve and functional capacity. Among the biological processes underlying this decline, inflammaging, a chronic, low-grade pro-inflammatory state that develops with advancing age, plays a central role in the pathogenesis of sarcopenia and frailty. These conditions, characterized by progressive loss of muscle mass, strength, and overall resilience, are associated with increased risk of disability, hospitalization, and mortality. Nutrition has emerged as one of the most promising and modifiable determinants capable of influencing the trajectory of these processes, acting on inflammatory pathways, oxidative stress, gut microbiota composition, and muscle protein metabolism.

The rising global burden of sarcopenia and frailty calls for effective, accessible, and sustainable preventive strategies. Dietary patterns and specific nutrients, including the Mediterranean diet, dietary protein, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and polyphenols, have shown the potential to modulate inflammatory markers and support muscle health, with direct implications for functional independence and quality of life in older adults. Understanding how nutritional interventions interact with the biological mechanisms of inflammaging is essential not only for clinical practice but also for shaping public health policies aimed at promoting healthy aging. Translating this evidence into practical, evidence-based recommendations represents a priority for both researchers and healthcare professionals working with aging populations.

This Article Collection welcomes contributions exploring the molecular and clinical links between nutrition, inflammaging, sarcopenia, and frailty. Topics of interest include:

1. The role of the Mediterranean diet and its components in modulating chronic low-grade inflammation
2. The impact of protein, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and polyphenols on muscle mass, strength, and physical performance
3. The contribution of gut microbiota and dysbiosis to inflammaging and frailty, including probiotic and prebiotic interventions
4. Combined nutritional and exercise-based strategies for pre-frail and frail older adults.

Original research articles, systematic and narrative reviews, and meta-analyses are particularly encouraged.

Keywords: Inflammaging, Sarcopenia, Frailty, Mediterranean Diet, Nutritional Intervention

Dr. Giuseppe Annunziata, PhD, is a Biologist Nutritionist and Adjunct Professor of Clinical Nutrition at Pegaso Telematic University. He holds a PhD in Pharmaceutical Science from the University of Naples Federico II and specializes in nutraceuticals, metabolic disorders, and body composition assessment. With over 60 publications, an h-index of 27, and more than 2,400 citations, he serves on multiple editorial boards and coordinates the Teaching Commission of the Italian Obesity Society (SIO) for Campania. Here is the link to his ORCID page:  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1922-662X.

Disclosure statement: The Guest Advisor declares no conflict of interest.

­­All manuscripts submitted to this Article Collection will undergo desk assessment and peer-review as part of our standard editorial process; the Guest Advisor for this Collection will not be handling the manuscripts (unless they are an Editorial Board member).

Please review the journal scope  and author submission instructions  prior to submitting a manuscript.

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is March 31st, 2027.

Please contact Ruby Ru at [email protected]  with any queries and discount codes regarding this Article Collection.

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