Our human studies are focused on older adults with common chronic diseases who could benefit from specific nutritional support. These diseases include cancer, chronic heart failure, chronic kidney disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). As muscle loss is commonly associated with these conditions, it is very important to develop nutritional strategies that can prevent this, and that will improve well-being, treatment outcomes and quality of life.
Our aims are related to understanding metabolic changes leading to muscle loss and how we can target these alterations by nutritional interventions and exercise. We primarily test the effect of dietary proteins as they are the building blocks of muscle. In addition, we find it important to translate these effects to functional measures of muscle, such as lower and upper body muscle strength and endurance.
Invite to patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Who are we looking for? Individuals with an established diagnosis of kidney disease undergoing dialysis, who are 55 years and older. What will exclude you? A diagnosis of Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus or a severe liver or heart disease.
If you would like to participate in one of our studies, click here for more information.