There are many unresolved issues regarding nutrition in old age such as the obesity paradox, protein intake requirements, and dietary needs of obese and frail older people. We have developed a nutritional model, the Geometric Framework, which has the capacity to address complex questions about the relationship between nutrition and ageing and have an established cohort of older men that will allow us to investigate multiple factors involved in age-related changes in nutrition and obesity.
Nutrition Intervention Strategies For Improving Health Outcomes In Remote Indigenous Australians
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,155.00
Summary
Remote Indigenous Australians experience a disproportionate health burden. It is likely that poor nutrition across the lifespan is a significant contributor. Strategies to improve nutrition and reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Indigenous Australians could make a significant contribution to closing the health gap. Research will be conducted to identify and test strategies to improve nutrition by increasing the intake of fresh fruit and vegetables and protein rich foods.
Defining Factors That Contribute To Individual Diversity In The Diet-health Axis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,668,059.00
Summary
There is a complex interplay between nutrition and genetics such that one diet maybe good for some but not for others depending on genetic makeup. Preliminary experiments in flies and mice support this. We found that for some flies, diets high in fat are harmful resulting in short life but certain flies resist the harmful effects of fat and live a longer lives. We propose to unravel the gene-environment interaction and determine which genes might lead to optimal health outcomes on certain diets.
Long-term Effects Of A Very Low Carbohydrate, Low Saturated Fat Diet Compared To A Conventional High Carbohydrate, Low Fat Diet On Glycemic Control And Cardiovascular Disease Risk In Overweight And Obese Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,311,890.00
Summary
This project is a clinical study investigating whether an very low carbohydrate, low saturated fat diet provides greater benefits for improving blood glucose control and cardiovascular health compared to a conventional, currently prescribed low fat, high unrefined carbohydrate diet in obese patients with type 2 diabetes. This information will provide the highest quality evidence on which the NHMRC can make dietary recommendations for the optimal management of diabetes.
This proposal is designed to test the protein leverage hypothesis (PLH) in humans: the idea that the level of food consumption in humans, like other animals, is adjusted to maintain a target protein intake. As the prevalence of overweight and obesity increases, with its attendant health problems, the need to identify which dietary components limit rather than exacerbate energy intake is imperative. According to the PLH, the consumption of a diet low in % protein and high in % fat and carbohydrat ....This proposal is designed to test the protein leverage hypothesis (PLH) in humans: the idea that the level of food consumption in humans, like other animals, is adjusted to maintain a target protein intake. As the prevalence of overweight and obesity increases, with its attendant health problems, the need to identify which dietary components limit rather than exacerbate energy intake is imperative. According to the PLH, the consumption of a diet low in % protein and high in % fat and carbohydrate, typical of many Western countries, inevitably requires the ingestion of additional energy to maintain protein intake constant, thus driving weight gain. Conversely, the consumption of a diet that is relatively high in % protein requires the ingestion of lower levels of energy, creating the potential for weight loss. Preliminary experimental and population-level nutritional survey data support the PLH, as does the finding that protein is more satiating than other macronutrients. If, as predicted, small changes in the proportion of protein in diets described in the current study are found to impact on total energy intake there will be significant implications for weight control strategies. Thus, if the PLH is confirmed, public health dietary recommendations and government policy settings for the food industry will need to change. Large-scale intervention studies aimed at demonstrating the longer term impact on body weight will also be required.Read moreRead less
Restricting Dietary Advanced Glycation End Product Intake As A Potential Therapeutic Tool In Diabetic Nephropathy.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$483,351.00
Summary
Kidney disease is a serious complication of diabetes and may occur as a result of a biochemical process known as advanced glycation. These advanced glycation end products (AGEs) accumulate in the kidney causing disruption of function. Due to modern food processing techniques, the Australian diet has a high AGE content. Over-eating foods which are high in AGEs may worsen diabetic kidney disease. This proposal will test the effects of dietary AGE restriction and overfeeding on kidney function.
Is A Higher Intake Of Omega-3 Fatty Acids Advantageous For Weight Loss?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$473,219.00
Summary
A 12 month dietary trial will be conducted to investigate whether a diet that is high in polyunsaturated fat (particularly long chain omega-3 fats found in fish oil) improves weight loss and metabolism, compared to a standard low fat weight-reducing diet. Other benefits of the diet, such as improvements in blood pressure, blood lipids and glucose, will be investigated. The findings will be used to refine dietary advice for weight loss and to develop food products enriched with fish oil.