Kelsey Mangano and Sabrina Noel have been awarded a UMass Lowell Seed Grant to assess changes in bone biomarkers that happen due to microbiome-driven, inflammatory changes in aging adults. To our knowledge, this is the first study to compare data on Caribbean Latinos to published studies in communities with healthy dietary habits, among Non-Hispanic Whites.
This work has the potential to modify diets of Caribbean Latinos toward a healthier pattern, while maintaining deeply rooted cultural ties, to immediately impact gut microbiota, which will have long term affects on inflammatory related conditions. Results will provide preliminary data for a larger R21 to develop a dietary intervention to improve the gut microbiome and lessen inflammation among Caribbean Latinos.