Sunday 5 July 2009

Nutritional status and function research programme (N05) - list of projects

Information about Agency-funded research projects investigating bioavailablility and nutritional status.

Effects of a mixed diet intervention versus folic acid supplement on folate status and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in healthy adults (N05057)

This research project will compare the effects of a mixed food folate intervention with folic acid supplementation in two populations with differing risks of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Influence of genotype on optimal folate and vitamin B12 intake during pregnancy (N05040)

This research project aims to investigate the variation in folate and vitamin B12 nutritional requirements during pregnancy for genetically different sections of the population.

Results available.

N05002: Dietary folate, homocysteine and endothelial function

This research project aims to determine whether a diet rich in folates/folic acid reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Results available.

N05003: Vitamin C - nutrient interactions using stable isotope labelled tracer

This research project aims to establish how efficiently and rapidly vitamin C is taken up into the bloodstream after consumption and the affect of other substances of this uptake.

Results available.

N05005: Model Systems, in vitro and in vivo , for predicting the bioavailability of lipid soluble components of foods

This research project aims to develop knowledge on how to gain maximum benefit from carotenoids, which decrease the risk of certain cancers.

Results available.

N05006: Dietary folate, homocysteine and endothelial function: the potential role of oxidative stress in vascular damage

This research project aims to determine whether a diet rich in folates/folic acid reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Results available.

N05009: The use of deuterated tocopherol to study vitamin E/vitamin C/glutathione interrelations in human subjects

This research project aims to improve understanding of the benefits, and risks, associated with taking antioxidants in increased quantities.

Results available.

N05010: Biochemical and molecular markers of functional selenium status in man

This research project aims to give an insight into the effects of selenium supplementation and contribute to the debate as to whether selenium status should be increased in the UK in order to promote optimal health.

Results available.

N05012: Functional markers of selenium in man

Results available.

N05013: Bioavailability of folic acid and natural folates - studies using the functional marker plasma homocysteine

This research project aims to investigate the best route to increasing folate intake in the diet of the UK population.

Results available.

N05014: The bioavailability of iron, zinc and copper in meat-containing and vegetarian diets in the UK

This research project aims to assess the the nutritional significance of different types of diet in the UK with regard to intakes of iron, copper and zinc.

Results available.

N05015: The bioavailability of iron, zinc and copper in meat-containing and vegetarian diets in the UK

This research project aims to determine the efficiency of absorption of iron, zinc, and copper by women from vegetarian and non-vegetarian diets.

Results available.

N05016: Is folic acid considerably more effective than folates in raising folate status?

This research project aims to investigate whether supplementation or fortification with folic acid is more effective than consuming an equivalent amount of natural folates.

Results available.

N05017: Test of a predictive model for the bioavailability of iron (plus Zn and Cu) from mixed meals, using a simple in vivo human test for low doses of iron

This research project aims to develop a comprehensive model that can be used to predict the bioavailability of iron from different food sources and meal combinations.

Results available.

N05019: OPTICUE - the development of functional markers of optimal nutritional status of copper

This research project aims to develop markers that can be used to determine the copper status of humans, e.g. copper deficiency.

Results available.

N05022: Regulation of iron absorption and effects of habitual diet on iron stores in heterozygote men with HFE mutations

This research project aims to enable risk assessments to be made for a section of the population who are genetically disposed to absorbing higher amounts of iron and consume diets with high iron levels.

N05023: Influence of genetic mutations on iron status linked to dietary intake - from the UK women's cohort study

This research project aims to determine the relationship between iron intake and the risk of iron overload in genetically different sections of the population.

Results available.

N05024: Folate - from food to functionality and optimal health

This research project aims to extend the availability of folate-rich and enriched foods with specified consumer benefits for optimal bioavailability, functionality and health.

Results available.

N05027: The use of deuterated tocopherol to study vitamin E metabolism in normal subjects - impact of diet and supplementation regimes

This research project aims to improve understanding of the benefits, and risks, associated with taking antioxidants in increased quantities.

Results available.

N05030: Functional genomic markers of individual variation in selenium status and response to dietary selenium

This research project aims to investigate the variation in dietary selenium requirements of individuals and therefore contribute to redefining dietary advice.

Results available.

N05031: Assessment of individual variability in functional responses to Selenium

This research project aims to investigate the effect of selenium supplementation on the immune system and whether this varies in individuals.

Results available.

N05032: Expression polymorphism following alpha-tocopherol supplementation in healthy subjects

This research project aims to investigate the effect of alpha-tocopherol supplementation on individuals.

N05033: Evaluation of riboflavin status as modulator of homocysteine response to folate in relation to MTHFR genotype and endothelial function

This research project aims to determine whether the consumption of riboflavins is important in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Results available.

N05035: Application of proteome technologies to the determination of elements of the expressed genome responsive to folate intake

This research project aims to explore the variation in folate nutritional requirements of genetically differing sections of the population.

Results available.

N05037: The effects of copper depletion and repletion on plasma homocysteine concentration, folate and choline status

This research project aims to identify possible links between copper status, B vitamin metabolism, lipid metabolism and risk of cardiovascular disease.

Results available.

N05041: Genotypes underlying functional bioavailability of selenium

This research project aims to explore the variation in selenium nutritional requirements of genetically differing sections of the population.

N05042: Influence of gender, age and genotype on the known sub-optimal status of folate, vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and riboflavin

This research project aims to determine the extent to which intake of each of these nutrients affects genetically different sections of the population and provide recommended intakes for optimal health.

N05047: How should we diagnose vitamin B12 deficiency? An evaluation of methylmalonic acid and transcobalamin II as a new diagnostic test.

This research project evaluated the use of methylmalonic acid and transcobalamin II assays to diagnose vitamin B12 deficiency

Results available.

N05050: Bioavailability of vitamin K1 in the UK diet and the relationship of intake to status

This research project aims to investigate the bioavailability of vitamin K and then to assess the population average intake of this vitamin accounting for bioavailability.

N05051: Comparing fresh and processed fruits and vegetables as sources of bioavailable phytochemicals

This project aims to demonstrate the relative nutritional benefit of fresh versus processed sources of fruit and vegetables commonly consumed as part of the diet (apples, tomatoes, broccoli, tomatoes and blackcurrants).

N05052: Bioavailability of carbohydrates from plant foods in the UK diet

This research project aims to describe the carbohydrate bioavailability in fruit and vegetable products in the UK diet.

N05060: A comparison of folate extraction procedures for the determination of folate in foods

This research project will investigate the difference in apparent folate values obtained for a range of foods when extracted by single enzyme and trienzyme procedures.

N05061: An investigation of the functional significance of marginal riboflavin status in young women

This research project will investigate the functional significance of marginal riboflavin status in young women.

N05066: Dose response relationships between n-3 PUFA supply and n-3 PUFA content of transport, storage and functional pools in humans

This research project (along with N05065) aims to determine the dose response to LC n-3 PUFA supplementation on plasma phospholipids, triacylglycerols, cholesteryl esters and non-esterified fatty acids, platelets, erythrocytes, leukocytes and adipose tissue fatty acid (FA) content.

N05073: Development of metabolomics as novel approach to biological indicators which characterise and quantify dietary exposure

This research project will investigate whether metabolite “fingerprinting” or “profiling” coupled to advanced data analysis can distinguish which foods have been eaten and in what amounts.

N05077: Urinary MMA revisited - a functional biomarker of B12 status applicable to large scale surveys

N05078: Investigation of holoTC, the active component of circulating vitamin B12, as a sensitive marker of dietary intake

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