Nutrition, Metabolism, and Human Aging: UF’s New Online Innovative Aging Studies Course
Starting Summer 2026, students in the University of Florida’s online innovative aging studies programs can take a new elective: Nutrition, Metabolism, and Human Aging, an entirely online course that examines how what we eat shapes how we age.
This 3-credit online course will be taught by Rui Xiao, PhD, an associate professor in UF’s College of Medicine whose work focuses on the biology of aging, metabolism and longevity. Below, Dr. Xiao walks us through this 15-week course and the topics students can expect to cover.
What the Course Covers
Offered every semester, Nutrition, Metabolism, and Human Aging takes an in-depth look at how nutrition affects:
- Age-related health
- Chronic disease prevention
- Longevity
“Nutrition is one of the most powerful and modifiable factors influencing health and longevity,” Dr. Xiao said. “This course allows me to connect basic science with real-world applications, helping students understand how metabolism and diet can impact aging and disease, and how scientific evidence can be translated into strategies for healthy aging.”
Throughout the course, students look at evidence-based interventions to promote healthy aging, such as caloric restriction, protein optimization, and emerging approaches like nutraceuticals and microbiome modulation.
What to Expect: Research, Case Studies and Real-World Applications
This isn’t your typical nutrition course. Nutrition, Metabolism, and Human Aging takes a specialized, research-focused and aging-centered approach. “This course, and UF’s online innovative aging [studies] programs in general, go beyond basic knowledge,” Dr. Xiao explained, “and focus on real-world, evidence-based strategies you can use in research, clinical practice or personal health.”
The course is mostly research-based, with a strong emphasis on analyzing scientific literature. (So, expect to spend a fair amount of time poring over research papers.) There are plenty of real-world examples, though. As a student, you may be asked to:
- Apply evidence to design nutrition interventions for older adults
- Evaluate dietary strategies for specific conditions, such as sarcopenia or metabolic disease
- Discuss practical challenges in implementing interventions in real populations
While the foundation of the course is academic, there’s a clear focus on translating research into real-world and clinical applications. By the time you finish, you’ll be better prepared to help older adults with their nutrition choices.
Standout Topics: Caloric Restriction, Intermittent Fasting and the Microbiome
Nutrition, Metabolism, and Human Aging covers 15 modules, including topics such as:
- Digestion and Absorption of Nutrients
- Carbohydrate Metabolism in the Elderly
- Protein Metabolism and Sarcopenia
Among the topics students are likely to find most eye-opening: caloric restriction, intermittent fasting and the microbiome. According to Dr. Xiao, “These topics challenge traditional ideas about eating by showing how when and how much we eat can influence metabolism, aging and disease risk.”
The gut microbiome, a collection of trillions of microorganisms, can strongly influence everything from inflammation and immune function to longevity. “It really highlights how dynamic and interconnected nutrition and aging are beyond just calories and nutrients,” said Dr. Xaio.
Skills You’ll Gain
After completing this course, you’ll walk away with more than 3 credit hours. Dr. Xiao assures us that students will be able to critically evaluate nutrition research and apply it to support healthy aging.
“Professionally, they can design evidence-based strategies for older adults,” he said, “and personally, they can make more informed choices to improve long-term health and longevity.”
The Online Learning Experience
Nutrition, Metabolism, and Human Aging is entirely online and asynchronous. Students never have to set foot in a classroom and will connect with their professor and fellow students through:
- Discussion boards
- Group projects
- Live Q&A sessions
Dr. Xiao holds office hours from 4 to 5 p.m. EST every Friday. But he’s never far out of reach. “I’m very accessible,” Dr. Xiao says. “Students can reach me via email (rxiao@ufl.edu) or course messaging, and I usually respond within 24 hours.”
New to online learning? Don’t worry; it works a lot like you’d expect. The class is broken down into 15 modules, each taking a week to complete. During a typical week, you’ll log on whenever it’s convenient to complete readings, watch lectures and submit assignments.
Making a Weekly Commitment
Plan to spend about 9 hours per week on coursework. It can be a lot, juggling classwork and your career on top of trying to maintain a social life. But it’s perfectly doable, especially if you come at it with the right mindset.
“Successful students stay curious, engage consistently and apply concepts to real-life situations,” explained Dr. Xiao. “They’re self-motivated, organized and open to new perspectives.”
Why Students Join UF’s Innovative Aging Studies Program
According to Dr. Xiao, Nutrition, Metabolism and Human Aging is a good fit if you enjoy critical thinking, reading scientific literature and applying what you’ve learned to meaningful challenges related to aging.
“This course is practical, flexible and designed to make aging science relevant to your career and daily life,” he said, “whether you’re in healthcare, wellness or simply curious about aging.”
How to Enroll
While you can join UF’s online program as a non-degree student, dedicating yourself to a graduate program in innovative aging studies pairs career-ready knowledge with a prestigious graduate credential:
- Master’s Degree in Innovative Aging Studies
- Master’s Degree in Medical Physiology and Aging
- Graduate Certificate in Aging and Geriatric Practice
Ready to explore how what you eat influences how you age? Apply to one of UF’s online graduate programs in innovative aging studies. If you’re accepted, you’ll be able to enroll in Nutrition, Metabolism, and Human Aging.
