Research 

The research of the CCRE represents a logical extension of our previous and ongoing work, capitalising on the enhanced resources and collaborations provided by CCRE status. The aims of specific projects are listed by 4 main research streams:

Diabetes: Evaluate the medium- and long-term effects of (a) defined macronutrient
“preloads” consumed 30-60 min before meals and (b) low glycaemic-index diets, on glycaemic control (glycated haemoglobin), appetite, body weight, gastric emptying, insulin, incretin hormones, and lipids in type 2 patients.

Obesity: Evaluate (a) behaviours influencing fast food choice and design effective interventions, (b) the use of a software tool to optimise obesity management in primary care, (c) the chronic effects of lauric acid “preloads” on energy intake and body weight in obese subjects, and (d) the long term efficacy and safety of low carbohydrate diets in obesity.

Nutrition in the elderly: Evaluate the potential for increasing energy intake by (a) the use of cholecystokinin antagonists and/or ghrelin analogues, (b) behavioural and psychosocial interventions, and (c) long-term modification of meal patterns and activity.

Nutrition in critical illness: Evaluate (a) the long-term impact of impaired nutrition,
(b) the potential for peptide hormone antagonists to ameliorate disordered gut function and nutrition in the critically unwell, and (c) the effects of minimising glycaemia by infusion of GLP-1.