Ready to explore the secrets held within the University of Auckland Human Nutrition Unit? The Unit stands as a hub. It links diet, health, and disease prevention through dedicated research.
The University of Auckland Human Nutrition Unit investigates whole foods. It also looks into food components, bioactives, and nutraceutical products. These investigations explore their effects on health and disease. Academic and commercial collaborations drive these trials.
Professor Sally Poppitt, Professor Garth Cooper, and Dr. Jennifer Miles-Chan lead the Unit. They bring extensive experience in nutrition intervention and observational trials. Their expertise covers a wide range of areas. Studies focus on the health benefits of food components. These include investigations into metabolic health. The Unit works with healthy men and women. It also includes participants with varying metabolic health.
The Human Nutrition Unit conducts intervention trials. These trials explore the relationships between diet and markers of health. They also look into disease. Trials are randomised and placebo-controlled. They may be single or double-blind interventions. Trials can be cross-over or parallel in design.
The University of Auckland Human Nutrition Unit adheres to strict ethical guidelines. All trials conform to human ethics procedures. They follow good clinical practice. Human ethics committee approval is mandatory. Therapeutic trials also require approval. This approval comes from the NZ Standing Committee on Therapeutic Trials and MedSafe.
The Unit offers a range of services. These include consultancy on nutrition regulatory issues. Health claims are included. The Unit also provides consultancy. This covers the design and development of trial protocols. They handle recruitment and screening of volunteer participants. The Unit manages trial coordination. They collect, analyse, and interpret data. Finally, they publish peer-reviewed scientific articles.
Expertise abounds at the University of Auckland Human Nutrition Unit. This expertise spans academic and commercially funded areas. The research team draws on national and international knowledge. They have the skills to carry out nutrition studies. This starts from the initial idea and goes through to completion. The Unit offers a space for commercial and investigator-led clinical studies. These studies cover a range of nutrition specialties.
The Unit features impressive facilities. There is a clinical room. It includes a phlebotomy chair for blood collection. An indirect calorimetry room measures energy expenditure. An interview room and lounge provide comfort. Five fully furnished bedrooms are available. These have smart TVs and working desks. They are for residential and overnight studies. A biological sample handling laboratory is on site. A metabolic kitchen supports controlled diet studies. Toilet and shower facilities are available.
Capabilities at the Unit are comprehensive. Controlled diet provision and control are offered. Energy expenditure measurement is available. This uses indirect calorimetry. Anthropometry includes assessment of body composition. Phlebotomy includes venous cannulation. Urine and faecal collection services are also provided. Nursing cover for overnight stays can be arranged externally.
The University of Auckland Human Nutrition Unit plays a vital role. It advances our understanding of nutrition. Its research shapes health and disease prevention strategies.