Determining The Affect And Cost Effectiveness Of Nutrition In Critically Ill Patients From Intensive Care Unit Admission To Hospital Discharge.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$138,964.00
Summary
Nutrition when you are severely unwell is very important to support recovery. Research is required to determine exactly how much nutrition is needed in severely ill patients to ensure their best recovery. This project aims to determine what effect nutrition has on clinical and functional outcomes of patients who are severely ill during their whole hospital stay. It will also aim to determine the cost effectiveness of nutrition for these patients.
Dietary Therapies For The Treatment Of Drug-resistant Epilepsy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$69,757.00
Summary
Epilepsy affects about 225,000 Australians, with 30% of suffers still experiencing seizures despite being on medications. A reduction in seizures can significantly improve the health of people with epilepsy who do not respond to medications. Low carbohydrate, high fat diets are a well-established treatment option in children, but this has not previously been studied in Australian adults. The aim of this research is to evaluate if dietary therapies are an effective treatment in adult epilepsy.
Protein Absorption And Kinetics In Critical Illness
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,233,268.00
Summary
This experienced & productive group plan to perform a number of interrelated studies in patients with critical illness the aim of which will be to ascertain protein absorption & kinetics, & the relationship between protein intake & muscle physiology. The goal is to lay the groundwork for an understanding of protein in the nutritional support of these patients which will help us to later establish the optimum amount & type of protein to improve muscle strength, functional outcomes & survival.
Nutraceuticals And Lifestyle Modification For Mood And Anxiety Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,048.00
Summary
Mood and anxiety disorders cause immense societal impact, and current treatment can be greatly improved. One particular way is via evidence-based use of nutrients and plant-based medicines, in addition to encouraging specific lifestyle changes (e.g. increased physical activity and improved diet). Dr Sarris' research focuses on these areas, aiming to build a robust body of evidence as to which of these interventions work (and which do not) to enhance better treatment of depression and anxiety.
Personalised Medical Nutrition Therapy To Improve Diet Related Health Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$687,975.00
Summary
Poor eating habits are common across all lifestages and increase the risk for heart disease, diabetes and the cost of health care. This novel research will use technology to connect people to online assessment of their dietary intake with a personally tailored nutrition report provided in realtime. Healthcare professional will use these to help people improve their eating and health. This will create new knowledge on the impact of better nutrition on health outcomes and the cost of health care.
Changing Therapeutic Paradigms For Intestinal Health: Diet As A Therapeutic Strategy In Gastroenterology.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$640,210.00
Summary
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects 1 in 7 adults in Australia. IBS symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating and wind. My team has shown that fermentable short chain carbohydrates (FODMAPs) present in many foods are responsible for triggering these symptoms. The Low FODMAP diet is now being adopted worldwide as first-line management therapy for IBS. The delivery of this research worldwide has been possible through the use of a smartphone app: The Monash Uni Low FODMAP diet.
The Role Of Wheat Gluten In The Genesis Of Gastrointestinal Symptoms And Fatigue In Patients With Non-coeliac Gluten Intolerance.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$686,242.00
Summary
Currently �gluten- and wheat-intolerances� are poorly recognised by the medical profession and yet many Australians who do not have coeliac disease claim to be wheat- or gluten-intolerant. The most common complaints relate to chronic fatigue and gut symptoms such as wind and bloating. Our research team have new and recent evidence that wheat-gluten does trigger symptoms in some patients who suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome. This project aims to improve our understanding in this area.
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?"
Optimising Nutrient Delivery And Absorption In Critically Ill Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$560,715.00
Summary
Patients surviving ICU are frequently discharged malnourished. Adequate nutrition is essential for optimal outcomes. It is considered best practice to administer nutrition as a liquid formula via a tube passed through the nose into the stomach, however this is frequently limited by impaired gastrointestinal function. We aim to develop more effective strategies for the provision of nutrition to improve nutritional and thereby clinical outcomes in critically ill patients.