Dr Elizabeth (Liz) Williams
Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine and Population Health
Senior Lecturer in Nutritional Science
Departmental Director of Learning and Teaching.
e.a.williams@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 215 9065
+44 114 215 9065
+44 114 271 3314
(Fax)
Room GU29, G Floor, The Medical School
Full contact details
Dr Elizabeth (Liz) Williams
Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine and Population Health
Room GU29, G Floor
The Medical School
Beech Hill Road
Sheffield
S10 2RX
Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine and Population Health
Room GU29, G Floor
The Medical School
Beech Hill Road
Sheffield
S10 2RX
- Profile
-
For enquiries, please contact - SMPH-West-Operational@sheffield.ac.uk
I trained in Physiology at The University of Sheffield and continued at Sheffield for my PhD in Nutrition in the mid-1990s under the supervision of Professor Hilary Powers and Dr David Rumsey. I then worked as a post-doctoral researcher in the MRC Dunn Nutrition Unit in Cambridge and worked at the MRC field station in The Gambia, West Africa. On my return to the UK I was appointed as a Lecturer in Human Nutrition at Newcastle University. In 2003 I re-joined the University of Sheffield as a lecturer in Human Nutrition. I was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2010.
- Research interests
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My research interests are the role of diet in the prevention of chronic disease, healthy ageing and diet and male fertility. I am interested in dietary strategies to improve musculoskeletal health, diet and digestive health and in the use of technology to assess dietary intake and to support healthy behaviours. I am a member of the University of Sheffield Healthy Lifespan Institute and co-lead the lifestyle intervention work-stream. I am also a member of the Institute for Sustainable Food. I have over 20 years’ experience of conducting nutrition intervention trials and a track record of successfully working with and leading multi-disciplinary research teams.
I am a member of the University of Sheffield’s Healthy Lifespan Research Institute and co-lead the ‘non-clinical lifestyle intervention’ workstream.
- Publications
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Show: Featured publications All publications
Featured publications
Journal articles
- Investigating the nutritional advice and support given to colorectal cancer survivors in the UK: is it fit for purpose and does it address their needs?. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics. View this article in WRRO
- Inadequacy of protein intake in older UK adults. Geriatrics, 5(1). View this article in WRRO
- Rate of change of circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D following sublingual and capsular vitamin D preparations. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. View this article in WRRO
- Eicosapentaenoic acid and aspirin, alone and in combination, for the prevention of colorectal adenomas (seAFOod Polyp Prevention trial): a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2 × 2 factorial trial. The Lancet, 392(10164), 2583-2594. View this article in WRRO
- Optimizing nutrition in older people. Maturitas, 112, 34-38. View this article in WRRO
- Vitamin D status in irritable bowel syndrome and the impact of supplementation on symptoms: what do we know and what do we need to know?. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. View this article in WRRO
- A comparison of food portion size estimation by older adults, young adults and nutritionists. The journal of nutrition, health & aging. View this article in WRRO
- Inorganic Nitrate Mimics Exercise-Stimulated Muscular Fiber-Type Switching and Myokine and γ-Aminobutyric Acid Release. Diabetes, 66(3), 674-688. View this article in WRRO
- Feasibility study of portable technology for weight loss and HbA1c control in type 2 diabetes. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 16(1), 92-92. View this article in WRRO
- The validation of a computer-based food record for older adults: the Novel Assessment of Nutrition and Ageing (NANA) method. British Journal of Nutrition, 113(04), 654-664. View this article in WRRO
- Systemic folate status, rectal mucosal folate concentration and dietary intake in patients at differential risk of bowel cancer (The FAB2 Study).. Eur J Nutr, 52(7), 1801-1810.
- Improvement in nutritional status reduces the clinical impact of infections in older adults.. J Am Geriatr Soc, 60(9), 1645-1654.
- A randomized placebo-controlled trial to investigate the effect of lactolycopene on semen quality in healthy males. European Journal of Nutrition. View this article in WRRO
- Protein for Life: Review of Optimal Protein Intake, Sustainable Dietary Sources and the Effect on Appetite in Ageing Adults. Nutrients, 10(3), 360-360. View this article in WRRO
All publications
Journal articles
- Inequalities in diet quality by socio-demographic characteristics, smoking, and weight status in a large UK-based cohort using a new UK diet quality questionnaire-UKDQQ. Journal of Nutritional Science, 13.
- APOE genotype, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) supplementation and n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) levels in patients with multiple colorectal polyps: A secondary analysis of the seAFOod polyp prevention trial. Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids, 201, 102623-102623.
- The effect of aspirin and eicosapentaenoic acid on urinary biomarkers of prostaglandin E2 synthesis and platelet activation in participants of the seAFOod polyp prevention trial. International Journal of Cancer. View this article in WRRO
- Colorectal polyp outcomes after participation in the seAFOod polyp prevention trial: evidence of rebound elevated colorectal polyp risk after short-term aspirin use. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics.
- Plasma and rectal mucosal oxylipin levels during aspirin and eicosapentaenoic acid treatment in the seAFOod polyp prevention trial. Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids, 192, 102570-102570.
- Adaptation and validation of a protein intake screening tool for a UK adult population. Journal of Nutritional Science, 11.
- Remote delivery of a resistance exercise and protein intervention to improve muscle parameters in 40–65-year-olds: a feasibility study. The REMEND trial. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 81(OCE5).
- Comparison of Dietary Intake in UK Adults Aged 50 to 75 Years During the 2020 UK Covid-19 Lockdown Compared to their 2019 Intakes.. JAR Life, 10, 50-53.
- Nutrition and frailty : opportunities for prevention and treatment. Nutrients, 13(7).
- Short-term protein supplementation does not alter energy intake, macronutrient intake and appetite in 50–75 year old adults. Nutrients, 13(5).
- Comparing supermarket loyalty card data with traditional diet survey data for understanding how protein is purchased and consumed in older adults for the UK, 2014–16. Nutrition Journal, 19(1).
- Investigating the nutritional advice and support given to colorectal cancer survivors in the UK: is it fit for purpose and does it address their needs?. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics. View this article in WRRO
- Inadequacy of protein intake in older UK adults. Geriatrics, 5(1). View this article in WRRO
- Reply to the letter: Lycopene improves sperm motility and morphology: a promising agent for treating male infertility. European Journal of Nutrition, 59(2), 837-837.
- Protein valuation in food choice is positively associated with lean mass in older adults. The Journal of Nutrition, 149(11), 2056-2064. View this article in WRRO
- Dietary intake of people with dementia on acute hospital wards. Nursing Older People, 31(6), 16-21.
- Rate of change of circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D following sublingual and capsular vitamin D preparations. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. View this article in WRRO
- Eicosapentaenoic acid and aspirin, alone and in combination, for the prevention of colorectal adenomas (seAFOod Polyp Prevention trial): a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2 × 2 factorial trial. The Lancet, 392(10164), 2583-2594. View this article in WRRO
- Optimizing nutrition in older people. Maturitas, 112, 34-38. View this article in WRRO
- Protein for Life: Towards a focussed dietary framework for healthy ageing. Nutrition Bulletin, 43(1), 97-102. View this article in WRRO
- Computerized Self-Administered Measures of Mood and Appetite for Older Adults: The Novel Assessment of Nutrition and Ageing Toolkit. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 37(2), 157-176.
- Vitamin D status in irritable bowel syndrome and the impact of supplementation on symptoms: what do we know and what do we need to know?. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. View this article in WRRO
- Dietary nitrate does not modify blood pressure and cardiac output at rest and during exercise in older adults : a randomised cross-over study. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, 69(1), 74-83. View this article in WRRO
- Investigating the enabling factors influencing occupational therapists’ adoption of assisted living technology. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 80(11), 668-675. View this article in WRRO
- A comparison of food portion size estimation by older adults, young adults and nutritionists. The journal of nutrition, health & aging. View this article in WRRO
- Inorganic Nitrate Mimics Exercise-Stimulated Muscular Fiber-Type Switching and Myokine and γ-Aminobutyric Acid Release. Diabetes, 66(3), 674-688. View this article in WRRO
- Using the NANA toolkit at home to predict older adults’ future depression. Journal of Affective Disorders. View this article in WRRO
- Dietary nitrate does not affect physical activity outcomes in health older adults in a randomized, crossover trial. Nutrition Research, 36(12), 1361-1369. View this article in WRRO
- Feasibility study of portable technology for weight loss and HbA1c control in type 2 diabetes. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 16(1), 92-92. View this article in WRRO
- Computer-based tools for assessing micro-longitudinal patterns of cognitive function in older adults.. Age, 1-16. View this article in WRRO
- Vitamin D associates with improved quality of life in participants with irritable bowel syndrome: outcomes from a pilot trial. BMJ Open Gastroenterology, 2(1). View this article in WRRO
- Reduced keratin expression in colorectal neoplasia and associated fields is reversible by diet and resection. BMJ Open Gastroenterology, 2(1). View this article in WRRO
- The validation of a computer-based food record for older adults: the Novel Assessment of Nutrition and Ageing (NANA) method. British Journal of Nutrition, 113(04), 654-664. View this article in WRRO
- Validation of the NANA (Novel Assessment of Nutrition and Ageing) touch screen system for use at home by older adults. Experimental Gerontology, 60, 100-107. View this article in WRRO
- Probiotic supplement consumption alters cytokine production from peripheral blood mononuclear cells: a preliminary study using healthy individuals. BENEFICIAL MICROBES, 4(4), 313-317.
- Systemic folate status, rectal mucosal folate concentration and dietary intake in patients at differential risk of bowel cancer (The FAB2 Study).. Eur J Nutr, 52(7), 1801-1810.
- Improvement in nutritional status reduces the clinical impact of infections in older adults.. J Am Geriatr Soc, 60(9), 1645-1654.
- Folate, colorectal cancer and the involvement of DNA methylation.. Proc Nutr Soc, 71(4), 592-597.
- COBALT: Challenging obstacles and barriers to assistive living technologies. Gerontechnology, 11(2), 151-151. View this article in WRRO
- Quantitative profiling of CpG island methylation in human stool for colorectal cancer detection. International Journal of Colorectal Disease, 1-8.
- Effect of maternal and post-weaning folate supply on gene-specific DNA methylation in the small intestine of weaning and adult Apc and wild type mice. Frontiers in Genetics, 2(MAY). View this article in WRRO
- Correcting a marginal riboflavin deficiency improves hematologic status in young women in the United Kingdom (RIBOFEM).. Am J Clin Nutr, 93(6), 1274-1284.
- Dietary intakes in people with irritable bowel syndrome.. BMC Gastroenterol, 11, 9. View this article in WRRO
- UK Food Standards Agency Workshop Report: Diet and Immune Function. BRIT J NUTR, 103(11), 1684-1687.
- Inter-individual variation in DNA damage and base excision repair in young, healthy non-smokers: effects of dietary supplementation and genotype. BRIT J NUTR, 103(11), 1585-1593.
- Folate depletion during pregnancy and lactation reduces genomic DNA methylation in murine adult offspring. Genes and Nutrition, 1-8.
- Recruiting older people to a randomised controlled dietary intervention trial--how hard can it be?. BMC Med Res Methodol, 10, 17. View this article in WRRO
- Effects of methodological variation on assessment of riboflavin status using the erythrocyte glutathione reductase activation coefficient assay.. Br J Nutr, 102(2), 273-278.
- Inter-individual variation in nucleotide excision repair in young adults: effects of age, adiposity, micronutrient supplementation and genotype. BRIT J NUTR, 101(9), 1316-1323.
- Clinical trial: a multistrain probiotic preparation significantly reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in a double-blind placebo-controlled study. ALIMENT PHARM THER, 29(1), 97-103.
- A study protocol to investigate the relationship between dietary fibre intake and fermentation, colon cell turnover, global protein acetylation and early carcinogenesis: the FACT study.. BMC Cancer, 9, 332. View this article in WRRO
- Study Protocol: randomised controlled trial to investigate the functional significance of marginal riboflavin status in young women in the UK (RIBOFEM).. BMC Public Health, 9, 90. View this article in WRRO
- Gender-specific modulation of tumorigenesis by folic acid supply in the Apc(+/Min) mouse during early neonatal life. BRIT J NUTR, 99(3), 550-558.
- Commonly used bowel preparations have significant and different effects upon cell proliferation in the colon: a pilot study.. BMC Gastroenterol, 8, 54. View this article in WRRO
- Responses of biomarkers of folate and riboflavin status to folate and riboflavin supplementation in healthy and colorectal polyp patients (the FAB2 Study).. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev, 16(10), 2128-2135.
- A double-blind, placebo-controlled, glutamine-supplementation trial in growth-faltering Gambian infants.. Am J Clin Nutr, 86(2), 421-427.
- A MitoTracker Green-based flow cytometric assay for natural killer cell activity: variability, the influence of platelets and a comparison of analytical approaches.. Exp Hematol, 35(3), 350-357.
- Proteomic analysis reveals field-wide changes in protein expression in the morphologically normal mucosa of patients with colorectal neoplasia. Cancer Research, 66(13), 6553-6562.
- DNA mismatch repair status may influence anti-neoplastic effects of butyrate. BIOCHEMICAL SOCIETY TRANSACTIONS, 33, 728-729.
- Foliate and DNA methylation during in utero development and aging. BIOCHEM SOC T, 32, 1006-1007.
- Use of DNA from human stools to detect aberrant CpG island methylation of genes implicated in colorectal cancer. CANCER EPIDEM BIOMAR, 13(9), 1495-1501.
- Anti-cancer effects of butyrate: use of micro-array technology to investigate mechanisms.. Proc Nutr Soc, 62(1), 107-115.
- An investigation into the reversibility of the morphological and cytokinetic changes seen in the small intestine of riboflavin deficient rats.. Gut, 39(2), 220-225.
- Cytokinetic and structural responses of the rat small intestine to riboflavin depletion.. Br J Nutr, 75(2), 315-324.
- Morphological changes in the rat small intestine in response to riboflavin depletion.. Br J Nutr, 73(1), 141-146.
- Development of locomotion in the rat--spatiotemporal footfall patterns.. Physiol Behav, 55(1), 151-155.
- Factors influencing gastrostomy tube removal. Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology, 1-5.
- Polymorphisms in Cyclooxygenase, Lipoxygenase and TP53 genes predict colorectal polyp risk reduction by aspirin in the seAFOod polyp prevention trial. Cancer Prevention Research.
- Identification of the Most Suitable Mobile Apps to Support Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Diet Self-Management: Systematic Search of App Stores and Content Analysis. Nutrients, 15(15), 3476-3476.
- A retrospective study of outcomes and the validation of the Sheffield Gastrostomy Score in PEGs, RIGs and PIGs. Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology, 1-5.
- What is the current provision of service for gastrostomy insertion in England?. Frontline Gastroenterology.
- BMI Trajectories, Morbidity and Mortality in England: A 2-step Approach to Estimating Consequences of Changes in BMI. Obesity.
- A randomized placebo-controlled trial to investigate the effect of lactolycopene on semen quality in healthy males. European Journal of Nutrition. View this article in WRRO
- Eicosapentaenoic acid and/or aspirin for preventing colorectal adenomas during colonoscopic surveillance in the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme: the seAFOod RCT. Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation, 6(4), 1-154.
- Protein for Life: Review of Optimal Protein Intake, Sustainable Dietary Sources and the Effect on Appetite in Ageing Adults. Nutrients, 10(3), 360-360. View this article in WRRO
- Vitamin D supplementation in people with IBS has no effect on symptom severity and quality of life: results of a randomised controlled trial. European Journal of Nutrition.
Chapters
- NANA: a tale of ageing and technology, The New Dynamics of Ageing Volume 2 (pp. 157-176). Policy Press
Conference proceedings papers
- O4 A retrospective study of outcomes and validation of the sheffield gastrostomy score in radiologically assisted gastrostomies versus percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomies. Oral presentations
- P225 What is the current provision of service for gastrostomy insertion in England?. Poster presentations
- Does timing of a protein supplement affect energy and macronutrient intakes and measures of appetite in a middle-older aged adult population?. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, Vol. 79(OCE3)
- Do people change their diet after colorectal adenoma diagnosis?. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, Vol. 79(OCE2)
- The effect of protein supplementation and its timing on energy intake and appetite in a middle-older aged adult population. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, Vol. 79(OCE2)
- Vitamin D, muscle strength and physical function in UK South Asian older women. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, Vol. 79(OCE2)
- Effect of vitamin D supplementation on irritable bowel syndrome symptom severity and quality of life. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, Vol. 79(OCE1)
- OTU-023 Randomised trial of EPA and aspirin for colorectal cancer chemoprevention: the seafood polyp prevention trial. Colon and Anorectum
- COBALT, TUNGSTEN, and THAW: New tools for engaging older adults as technology experts. Gerontechnology, Vol. 17(s) (pp 76-76)
- Efficacy and comparative uptake rates of sublingual and capsular vitamin D preparations. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, Vol. 77(OCE4)
- Diet advice in colorectal cancer survivors - are we doing enough?. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, Vol. 77(OCE1)
- Inorganic nitrate mimics exercise-stimulated muscular fibre-type switching and myokine and gamma-aminobutyric acid release. DIABETIC MEDICINE, Vol. 34 (pp 55-55)
- Wellbeing and HCI in later life – what matters?. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, Vol. 9735 (pp 455-453) View this article in WRRO
- Use of NANA, a novel method of dietary assessment, for the longitudinal capture of dietary intake in older adults. PROCEEDINGS OF THE NUTRITION SOCIETY, Vol. 72(OCE4) (pp E267-E267)
- Cross-sectional analyses show no association between fibre intake and faecal butyrate level. PROCEEDINGS OF THE NUTRITION SOCIETY, Vol. 72(OCE4) (pp E235-E235)
- Why do Patients get Metachronous Colorectal Adenomas?. JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY, Vol. 228 (pp S3-S3)
- A comparison of younger v. older adults' ability to estimate food portion sizes. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, Vol. 70(OCE3)
- The relationship between dietary micro and macronutrients intake and cell proliferation in the colon. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, Vol. 70(OCE3)
- Factors associated with inflammation in older adults. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, Vol. 69(OCE3)
- A strategy for concurrently profiling multiple parameters of human innate and adaptive immune function. IMMUNOLOGY, Vol. 125 (pp 31-31)
- A comparison between measures of innate immunity in young and old human subjects. IMMUNOLOGY, Vol. 125 (pp 83-83)
- Relationship between plasma zinc and antibacterial innate immune function in the elderly. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, Vol. 67(OCE8)
- A MitoTracker (R) Green-based flow cytometric assay for natural killer cell activity. IMMUNOLOGY, Vol. 120 (pp 86-86)
- Reduced maternal folate supply decreases genomic DNA methylation in the offspring of C57Bl/6J mice.. P NUTR SOC, Vol. 65 (pp 114A-114A)
- Reactive oxygen species generation in mismatch repair-proficient and -deficient colorectal cancer cell lines exposed to butyrate.. P NUTR SOC, Vol. 65 (pp 66A-66A)
- Methylation of the ESR1 CpG island in the colorectal mucosa is an 'all or nothing' process in healthy human colon, and is accelerated by dietary folate supplementation in the mouse. BIOCHEMICAL SOCIETY TRANSACTIONS, Vol. 33 (pp 709-711)
- Dietary characteristics of gastroenterology patients. P NUTR SOC, Vol. 64 (pp 99A-99A)
- Effect of butyrate on induction of aneuploidy in colorectal carcinoma cell lines. P NUTR SOC, Vol. 64 (pp 70A-70A)
- Colon mucosal folate is responsive to folic acid supplements and correlates with plasma folate. P NUTR SOC, Vol. 64 (pp 90A-90A)
- Use of gene hypermethylation in stool samples for detection of colorectal cancer: early results. BRITISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY, Vol. 91 (pp 92-92)
- Working with older adults to develop NANA: Novel assessment of nutrition and ageing. Gerontechnology, Vol. 11(2) View this article in WRRO
- Validating NANA: Novel assessment of nutrition and ageing. Gerontechnology, Vol. 11(2) View this article in WRRO
Theses / Dissertations
- The structural and cytokinetic responses of the rat small intestine to riboflavin deficiency..
- Investigating the nutritional advice and support given to colorectal cancer survivors in the UK: is it fit for purpose and does it address their needs?. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics. View this article in WRRO
- Teaching interests
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The majority of my teaching is at postgraduate MSc level. I teach on the MSc in Human Nutrition (led from SchARR) and the MRes in Healthy Musculoskeletal Ageing and deliver the following modules:
- Nutritional Epidemiology (HAR6212) – module lead
- Nutritional Physiology (HAR6213) – module lead
- Research Methods (HAR6030) – module tutor
- Nutrition and Physical Activity (OCP61001) – module co-lead
I am also the Departmental Director of Learning & Teaching for the Department of Oncology and Metabolism.
- Professional activities and memberships
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I am a UK Registered Nutritionist with the Association for Nutrition (Registration Number: 0999).
I was a member of the scientific programme organising committee for the Nutrition Society Winter Meeting in December 2019 on Diet and Digestive Disease, held in collaboration with the British Society of Gastroenterology and the British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition.
I am on the organising committee for the upcoming Nutrition Society Summer Meeting that will be held in Sheffield in June 2022.
Editorial Board Member of Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics.
Association for Nutrition Course Accreditation Assessor.
External Examiner, Leeds University.
Manuscript reviewer for: Journal of Nutrition, Health and Ageing; Geriatrics; Public Health Nutrition; British Journal of Nutrition; International Journal of Cancer; Human Fertility.
- Current students
PhD Students
Claire Williams – Vitamin D and Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Sabeen Zahra – Vitamin D and musculoskeletal health in older South Asian women living in the UK
Abeir El Mogassabi – Dietary intake and dietary patterns in patients with colorectal adenoma
Esme Tuttiett – Protein supplementation and musculoskeletal health in middle-older age.
MD Students
Heather Parr – PEG feeding