Much of the focus of the diet-heart disease relationship centres on blood cholesterol levels. However, there are many other ways in which diet can affect heart health. We have found that simple dietary modifications in rats can lead to remodelling of the heart, making it a more efficient pump and better able to withstand periods of ischaemia (oxygen starvation). This work is now centred on understanding the underlying mechanisms of these changes in the heart.
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- Somerset S. Dietary control in Simvastatin efficacy trials. Under review.
- Somerset S, Markwell K, Graham L, Spencer M, Kostner K. The MEDOW study: Baseline characteristics of volunteers for a community-based weight loss trial. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr 2007;16:S91
- Colquhoun DM, Somerset S, Irish K, Loentjew LM. Cheese added to a low fat diet does not affect serum lipids. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2003;12:S65
- Harrison G, Somerset S. Macadamia or olive oil enriched diets induce changes in heart structure and function similar to regular exercise in rats. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2004:13:S48