Nutrition and Inflammatory Disease

Key scientists:

• Robert Gibson
• Imme Penttila
• Michael James (Royal Adelaide Hospital)
• Les Cleland

Most chronic diseases have inflammation as a pivotal switch in their aetiology including arthritis, cardio-vascular diseases, diabetes and allergy. Some nutrients are proving to be powerful regulators of inflammatory processes including the omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and some of the more complex lipids.

Large scale randomised trials are underway to examine the clinical benefits of omega 3 fats in areas as diverse as depression, mental development, growth, allergy, arthritis and heart disease. New endeavours of areas of research are focussing on searching for new bioactive agents from foods and attempting to uncover mechanisms of action through gene expression and metabolomics in both animal and human studies.

Please contact Foodplus if you are interested in an honours or postgraduate student project in this area of research.