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
Long-term Health Effects Of Low-carbohydrate Diets In Obese Subjects With The Metabolic Syndrome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$497,716.00
Summary
The prevalence of obesity and its associated physiological and psychological comorbidities is increasing dramatically in Australia and throughout the developed world. Governing public health bodies recommend lifestyle changes of energy restriction combined with increasing physical activity for the treatment of obesity. In response to the increasing concerns about the rising level of obesity, there has been a multitude of fad diets developed outside the medical and nutritional recommendations for ....The prevalence of obesity and its associated physiological and psychological comorbidities is increasing dramatically in Australia and throughout the developed world. Governing public health bodies recommend lifestyle changes of energy restriction combined with increasing physical activity for the treatment of obesity. In response to the increasing concerns about the rising level of obesity, there has been a multitude of fad diets developed outside the medical and nutritional recommendations for healthy eating and with this an increased popularity of dietary regimens with severe restriction of carbohydrate, such as the Dr. Atkins diet. But although adopted by millions worldwide yearly and the release of a range of low-carbohydrate products into the food market, there is minimal scientific evidence available for the long-term efficacy and safety of low-carbohydrate diets, including their impact on risk factors for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, kidney function, bone health, psychosocial function and the capacity to undertake concurrent physical activity and daily living activities. Consequently, there is a lack of evidenced-based public health recommendations and policy regarding these dietary practices. In this project we will compare the long-term nutritional adequacy and effects of a very low-carbohydrate, weight loss diet to a conventional high-carbohydrate, low fat weight loss diet on cardiovascular health, exercise tolerance, mood state, bone health, renal function, bowel health and cancer risk in obese people with risk factors for cardiovascular disease in order to develop appropriate public health guidelines to counsel obese patients.Read moreRead less
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.
Understanding The Role Of B Cells In Gastric Cancer For The Design Of New Therapeutic Strategies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$696,383.00
Summary
Gastric cancer is the 2nd most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Our laboratory has previously established clinically relevant mouse model of gastric cancers, and our preliminary results indicate a strong link between B cell tumor infiltration and gastric cancer progression. In this project, we aim to elucidate the role of B cells in gastric cancer and determine whether B-cell targeted therapy alone or in combination with chemotherapy can be beneficial against this malignancy.
Novel Signalling Pathways Leading To The Activation Of Glomerular Parietal Epithelial Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,768.00
Summary
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major health problem in Australia. CKD patients have very limited therapeutic options. The majority of diseases that lead to CKD are associated scarring of the renal filters. Parietal epithelial cells reside in these filters and play key roles in scarring development. However, the molecular mechanisms that lead to scarring in these renal filters remain unclear. This proposal aims to identify molecular pathways that may serve as future therapeutic targets.
Robotic Surgical System For Image Guided Non-invasive Focused Ultrasound Induced Ablation Of Liver Cancers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$582,231.00
Summary
According to National Cancer Institute, liver and bile duct cancers are the fifth most common cancer in men and the seventh in women. Due to poor prognosis involving surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, our aim is to develop a novel image-guided, radiation-free, non-invasive robotic HIFU system with means for compensation of organ movement during treatment. The objective is to produce damage to the target in a predictable and reproducible manner while sparing overlying surrounding tissues.
Nutritional Psychiatry: Extending The Evidence And Ensuring Translation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,238,220.00
Summary
While poor diet is the leading contributor to illness and premature death globally, mental disorders account for the leading cause of disability. I have led the field internationally in establishing, for the first time, that diet quality and mental health are linked and have established a new field of research and clinical practice ‘Nutritional Psychiatry’. My program of research will now extend the evidence base and facilitate translation of this new knowledge into policy and practice.