An Investigation Into The Mechanisms Of How Dietary Fats Influence Alzheimers Disease Risk.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$567,789.00
Summary
There is some evidence to suggest that diet may influence the risk for developing Alzheimer's Disease. This project will explore if dietary fats that are 'bad-for-the-heart', are also 'bad-for-the-head'. Conversely, these researchers will test whether heart-healthy-oils are brain-healthy. The researchers will investigate the mechanisms by which dietary fats influence risk and hope to be able to develop nutritional guidelines for the prevention or slowing of Alzheimer's Disease.
Dietary Fats As Drivers Of Obesity-related Inflammation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$336,767.00
Summary
Obesity leads to diabetes and heart disease but not all body fat seems to be bad. Increased fat around the waist (especially the visceral fat around the intestine and internal organs) is particularly bad. Visceral fat secretes a lot of inflammatory molecules. This research aims to understand how visceral fat becomes inflamed and how we might use diet and other methods to reduce both the amount of visceral fat and its level of inflammation; thus reducing both obesity and its health consequences.
I am a lipid biochemist with extensive experience in the design and conduct of randomised controlled trials. The interventions are normally food based and I am working to see healthier food choices available to consumers to help close the Agriculture - He
Identifying Why Some People Consume Excess Dietary Fat. A Twin Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$365,462.00
Summary
Obesity is a significant public health problem, yet some individuals are less susceptible to the development of obesity. High fat eating patterns are commonly associated with overweight/obesity. The taste system is the gatekeeper of digestion and the sense of taste responds to fat, and that the fat taste response is associated with obesity. Using twins as subjects to disentangle the influences of 'nature and nuture', in this project we will identify the mechanisms responsible for linking fat tas ....Obesity is a significant public health problem, yet some individuals are less susceptible to the development of obesity. High fat eating patterns are commonly associated with overweight/obesity. The taste system is the gatekeeper of digestion and the sense of taste responds to fat, and that the fat taste response is associated with obesity. Using twins as subjects to disentangle the influences of 'nature and nuture', in this project we will identify the mechanisms responsible for linking fat taste response to development of obesity.Read moreRead less
The Predictors Of Type 2 Diabetes In The Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,136.00
Summary
In 1990 we set up a long-term study of diet and health. The aim was to measure diet and other risk factors in healthy people in order to see how they might affect future development of type 2 diabetes (also known as adult onset or non-insulin-dependent diabetes). To do this we recruited 41,500 Melbournians aged 40 to 69 years, measured what they ate and drank, and collected information on other aspects of lifestyle, medical history, and family history of common diseases. All had height and weigh ....In 1990 we set up a long-term study of diet and health. The aim was to measure diet and other risk factors in healthy people in order to see how they might affect future development of type 2 diabetes (also known as adult onset or non-insulin-dependent diabetes). To do this we recruited 41,500 Melbournians aged 40 to 69 years, measured what they ate and drank, and collected information on other aspects of lifestyle, medical history, and family history of common diseases. All had height and weight and blood pressure measured and gave a blood sample. People were selected so that men and women, and migrants from Italy and Greece would be included. In this way we could widen the range of dietary habits and other lifestyle indicators. Since then participants have completed another questionnaire and occurrences of disease have been noted from self-reports and from examining medical records. We want to analyse data from the 700 people in the study who have developed type 2 diabetes. First we will analyse data collected on all 41,500 (on joining the study, and at follow up). Next we will use data from the 700 people with diabetes and 1400 of similar age and sex who have not developed diabetes. This study will focus on measuring substances in the blood. We want to measure a range of fats, vitamins, antioxidants, a marker of the health of blood vessels, as well as sex hormones and related substances. We will then be able to estimate what affect these factors have on the risk of getting diabetes. We will also be able to see if any of them act together to make the risk of diabetes much higher in certain men and women. This work should identify what changes in lifestyle, especially diet, could reduce the risk of diabetes, and help us understand why this is so. This is important because every year more and more people are developing diabetes.Read moreRead less
Omega-3 fatty acids, appetite and growth in farmed fish. Australia has very limited wild fish supplies, and with the increasing realization of human health benefits of fish (i.e. omega-3 fatty acid) there is a need to increase availability through aquaculture. However, feeds used in aquaculture contain costly fish oil with limited global supplies. Attempts made to substitute fish oil with vegetable sources in aquaculture feeds have been mixed. This international, comparative and multidisciplinar ....Omega-3 fatty acids, appetite and growth in farmed fish. Australia has very limited wild fish supplies, and with the increasing realization of human health benefits of fish (i.e. omega-3 fatty acid) there is a need to increase availability through aquaculture. However, feeds used in aquaculture contain costly fish oil with limited global supplies. Attempts made to substitute fish oil with vegetable sources in aquaculture feeds have been mixed. This international, comparative and multidisciplinary project aims to reduce the dependence on fish oils through investigation of basic fatty acid metabolism and endocrinology on farmed fish to ensure that human health promoting characteristics in the final product are retained.Read moreRead less
Should You Be Eating That? Food-derived Bacteria And Their Role In Treating Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,405,182.00
Summary
The clinical application of medicines based on the microbes that exist as part of microbiomes is now a reality. Despite these rapid advances understanding how the bacteria are transmitted and recolonise after disruption is essential. Our preliminary data suggests that the average Australian adult consumes over 10 million bacteria per day in their diet. This project seeks to understand these relationships and how they can be exploited to develop the next generations of microbiome based medicine.
Efficacy And Cost Effectiveness Of Varying Levels Of Technology-delivered Personalised Feedback On Dietary Patterns In Motivating Young Australian Adults To Improve Diet Quality And Eating Habits: The Advice, Ideas And Motivation For My Eating Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$592,756.00
Summary
This project will test efficacy and cost-effectiveness of technology based tools in helping young adults to improve their dietary patterns and nutrition related health. Major challenges faced by young adults include lack of access to personalised information and advice about usual dietary intakes, being effectively engaged and cost. The project results will be translated and scaled up strategically by working in partnership with the Young and Well CRC and key organisations.
The Role Of Microbiome Activity In Diet-disease Relationships: Anthocyanins, Flavanols And Hypertension
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$366,252.00
Summary
By clarifying the role that intestinal bacteria play in the blood pressure lowering effect of anthocyanins and flavanols, this project will unravel potential ways that we can use bacteria to improve the effectiveness of dietary interventions for the prevention of high blood pressure, and ultimately, cardiovascular disease and stroke.