Diet As A Therapeutic Target In Depression: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$498,564.00
Summary
Depression is predicted to become the second-most common cause of disability in the world by 2020. While there is now compelling new evidence to suggest that diet plays an important role in the risk for and the genesis of depression, there are no existing data regarding the impact of dietary improvement on existing depressive illness. The aim of the proposed study is to answer the critically important and frequently asked question "If I improve my diet, will my mental health improve?"
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
Dietary Modulation Of Maternal Gut Flora With Oligosaccharides In Pregnancy As A Novel Allergy Prevention Strategy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,681,512.00
Summary
Declining intake of dietary fibre is a major factor implicated in the changing profile of healthy gut bacteria, and the associated increase in many inflammatory diseases including childhood allergy. This clinical trial aims to confirm findings in animal studies that increased dietary fibre in pregnancy can prevent allergy in the offspring, by favourably influencing metabolism and immune function during pregnancy.
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.
Dietary And Lifestyle Advice And Treatment For Women With Borderline Gestational Diabetes: The IDEAL Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$661,140.00
Summary
Over 22,000 pregnant women in Australia each year (7.7% of pregnancies) develop Borderline Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM). The IDEAL Trial is assessing whether implementing dietary and lifestyle advice and monitoring blood glucose in women with Borderline GDM is effective in reducing the risk of serious health outcomes for women and infants. If treatment of these women is effective this would reduce the burden of disease for women and their babies, with implications for improved health thro ....Over 22,000 pregnant women in Australia each year (7.7% of pregnancies) develop Borderline Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM). The IDEAL Trial is assessing whether implementing dietary and lifestyle advice and monitoring blood glucose in women with Borderline GDM is effective in reducing the risk of serious health outcomes for women and infants. If treatment of these women is effective this would reduce the burden of disease for women and their babies, with implications for improved health through childhood, adolescence and adulthood.Read moreRead less
While we need to consume salt, too much can be harmful and is in fact directly linked to ~5% of deaths annually in Australia. We have identified a system in the brain that regulates salt intake. Going forwards we will fully elucidate the pathway(s) implicated in regulation of salt intake, thereby identifying strategies to reduce excessive salt consumption.
Altering Meal Times To Reverse The Metabolic Consequences Of Shift Work
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$735,715.00
Summary
Shift work disrupts the internal body clock, which increases the risk for obesity and type 2 diabetes. Our research demonstrates meal timing plays an important role in this metabolic disturbance. Data from animal studies suggests that the adverse consequences of shift work can be reduced by eating only during the day. This study will investigate if this also occurs in humans, potentially leading to a straightforward solution to reduce the burden of chronic diseases in shift workers.
Understanding The Mechanisms Of Functionally Selective Antipsychotic Drugs: Implications For New Generation Antipsychotic Drugs
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$371,745.00
Summary
Schizophrenia is a chronic and devastating disease that ranks among the top 10 disabilities in developed countries. It places a significant burden on the Australian health system, costing about $1.5 billion each year. This project aims to reveal the mechanisms of new functionally selective antipsychotic drugs, which achieve an excellent therapeutic efficacy with low side-effects. Understanding these mechanisms will provide novel directions for the design of new generation antipsychotic drugs.
Investigating Dietary Vitamin D In The Australian Population
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$386,476.00
Summary
Vitamin D deficiency is a significant public health issue in Australia: almost one in four adults, and one in five adolescents, are vitamin D deficient. Although vitamin D can be obtained from sun exposure and diet, we know very little about dietary vitamin D in Australia. This project will determine how much vitamin D is in Australian foods, how much people get from their usual diets, and whether increasing vitamin D in foods would be a safe and effective way to reduce vitamin D deficiency.
CONSUMPTION OF NITRATE-RICH VEGETABLES TO REDUCE BLOOD PRESSURE
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$603,875.00
Summary
Consumption of plant food-rich diets lowers blood pressure. However, the most important components of these diets for blood pressure lowering have not been clearly defined. An intervention study in people with elevated blood pressure will be conducted to determine if increased consumption vegetables results in lower blood pressure, and if focused advice to consume nitrate-rich vegetables (mainly green leafy vegetables) will result in greater benefit on blood pressure.