There is such a thing as a free lunch for project volunteers
Scientists are looking for volunteers to take part in a study investigating the effect of food and eating on the build up of molecules associated with heart disease.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Around 30 men aged between 45-64 are needed for the study – which will investigate the biological response to eating a single meal.
In the long term, it is hoped that this research will help scientists identify whether a person is at risk of heart disease partly because of the way their body responds to eating.
The volunteers will need to make three visits to the University of Bath, during which they will be fitted with a heart monitor, tested for physical fitness, and have blood samples taken following a meal.
In return for volunteering, they will be given a personalised analysis of their general fitness and diet. They will also be given detailed feedback in a range of other areas, for example their blood cholesterol levels.
“This project is unique because no one has really looked at how the build up of these markers after a meal differs amongst individuals with different physical activity levels,” said Natalie Dixon, the PhD student in Sport & Exercise Science, part of the School for Health, who is conducting the study.
“Most of the studies that have examined heart disease have been on people who have been fasted, which isn’t really a normal situation because we tend to spend most of the day processing our food for hours after breakfast, lunch and dinner.
“The study will give us a new insight into the effect of exercise on the biological markers implicated in heart disease after a meal. This could help us develop new advice for people who are at risk of heart disease.”
Natalie hopes to complete this phase of the research project before Christmas, so people who are interested in volunteering should come forward as soon as possible. The volunteers will need to be able to come to the lab for one full day for the main test – but will be free to relax or work during this time.
To find out more about volunteering for the project, contact Natalie Dixon on 01225 386478 or Dr Dylan Thompson on 01225 383177.
The research is funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and Unilever.
The University of Bath is one of the UK's leading universities, with an international reputation for quality research and teaching. In 16 subject areas the University of Bath is rated in the top ten in the country. View a full list of the University's press releases: http://www.bath.ac.uk/news/releases
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