About the HNRCA
Our Mission
To be a preeminent research hub at the nexus of aging and nutrition, renowned for transforming life’s later years into a period marked by robust health, realized potential, and profound fulfillment.
About the Center
The Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA) at Tufts University, located in Boston, MA, is one of six human nutrition research centers supported by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). We are a bench-to-bedside research center that generates translational scientific results. We are run under a cooperative agreement between the USDA and Tufts University and our center is one of the largest research centers in the world studying nutrition and its relationship to healthy aging and physical activity.
The HNRCA is also the Tufts University resource for training graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in human nutrition and aging research. Many HNRCA scientists are faculty at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, School of Medicine, and/or the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Tufts University and/or have appointments at Tufts Medical Center. HNRCA scientists have ongoing collaborations across the four Tufts University campuses and serve in university leadership positions.
Our Impact
We are one of the largest research centers in the world studying healthy aging and its relationship to nutrition and physical activity. We have made significant contributions to U.S. and international nutritional and physical activity recommendations, public policy, and clinical healthcare.
Our research contributions include advancements in:
- Highlighting the promise of Precision Nutrition for personalized dietary recommendations.
- Revealing that higher vitamin D levels are associated with a lower risk of developing type two diabetes in adults at high risk.
- Identifying that cellular senescence markers in the blood are linked to mobility disability, and physical activity may reduce these markers.
- Showing that cellular senescence markers are associated with cognitive decline and may indicate early signs of dementia.
- Finding that high-quality carbohydrate intake is linked to healthy aging, with whole grains, fruits, and vegetables being particularly beneficial.
- Finding that higher brain concentrations of vitamin K are linked to lower odds of cognitive impairment and neuroinflammation.
- Suggesting that flavonoid-rich fruits, such as citrus and blueberries, may reduce the risk of developing dementia.
- Finding that calorie restriction reduces harmful biological products from senescent cells and improves insulin sensitivity.
The work of the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University (HNRCA) promotes Precision Healthy Aging with its mission rooted in the understanding that nutrition is a cornerstone of health and a preventive measure against chronic diseases. Building on a 45-year legacy of targeting lifestyle and genetics to prevent diseases like diabetes and osteoporosis, the HNRCA is now pioneering a geroscience-infused approach. Geroscience, which studies the relationship between aging and disease, is integral to Precision Healthy Aging. By understanding how aging processes contribute to diseases, we can develop targeted interventions that not only treat but also prevent multiple age-related conditions, thereby promoting a healthier, longer life. This evolution signifies our commitment to decoding the complex interplay of factors influencing aging. By harnessing artificial intelligence and data sciences, we aim to personalize prevention strategies, slow age-related deterioration, and foster a healthier, longer life for each individual.