Diet and cardiovascular health research programme - list of projects

N02003: The effect of dietary n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid intake on atheromatous plaque lipid composition

This research project aims to investigate the ability of polyunsaturated fatty acids to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Results available.

N02004/N02005: Optimal intake of monounsaturated fatty acids in the UK diet and the mechanism of their effects on human lipoprotein structure and metabolism

This research project aims to investigate how monounsaturated fats act to lower LDL cholesterol and whether increasing consumption of these alters the body's ability to deal with dietary fat.

Results available.

N02006: Role of dietary lipids in the development of heart disease (effects of dietary substitution of saturated fatty acids with monounsaturated fatty acids)

This research project aims to investigate the effect of monounsaturated fats on the risk of heart disease.

Results available.

N02007: Effect of diet on chain elongation and desaturation of alpha-linolenic acid in man

This research project aims to investigate the effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids on human health.

Results available.

N02008: Importance of alpha-linolenic acid as a source of long-chain n-3 PUFA and its influence on risk factors of cardiovascular disease

This research project aims to examine the effects of a diet enriched with alpha-linolenic acid on risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Results available.

N02009: Relationship of n-3 fatty acid status to vascular endothelial function and risk factors for coronary heart disease

This research project aims to investigate the relationship between polyunsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamin E and cardiovascular disease.

Results available.

N02010: Double-blind controlled trial of dietary enrichment with alpha-linolenic acid on vascular endothelial function in humans

This research project aims to investigate the effect of supplementing the diet with alpha-linolenic acid on cardiovascular disease.

Results available.

N02011: Dietary omega-6 to omega-3 PUFA ratio in UK Asians - relevance to cardiovascular risk factors and modification by dietary means

This research project aims to compare the effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (found in fish oils) to omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (found in vegetable oils) on cardiovascular health.

Results available.

N02012: Establish a novel centrifugation method to separate human plasma lipoproteins on self generating gradients

This research project aims to develop a new method for evaluating the types of lipoproteins in blood that can be used in a routine laboratory.

Results available.

N02013: Evaluation of effects of dietary exchange of individual saturated fatty acids on haemostasis and vascular function

This research project aims to investigate the effect of different types of saturated fats on cardiovascular health.

Results available.

N02015/N02016: Quantification of the optimal n-6/n-3 ratio in the UK diet

These research projects aim to investigate the optimal proportion of different types of polyunsaturated fatty acids for cardiovascular health.

Results available.

N02017: Regulation of postprandial fatty acid oxidation - tissue, molecular and dietary determinants

This research project aims to investigate interactions between food constituents (mainly fatty acids), dietary fat to carbohydrate ratios and physiological responses that may underlie the development of chronic diseases.

N02026: A randomised trial to examine the public health impact of changes in the dietary n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio

This research project aims to examine the effect of changes in consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids on health.

Results available.

N02027: Optimal lipid intake in relation to risk of cardiovascular disease in individuals with susceptible genotype

This research project aims to identify the optimal consumption of fat for individuals with an inherited increased risk of cardiovascular disease in order to reduce this risk.

N02028: Biochemical and physiological responsiveness to low dose fish oil intakes - impact of genotype, gender, age and geography

This research project aims to investigate the effect of fish oil consumption on cardiovascular health.

N02029: Effect of dietary intake of fruits and vegetables on vascular function - a randomised controlled trial

This research project aims to investigate the effect of fruit and vegetable consumption on cardiovascular health.

N02030: A dose response study of the effects of increased fruit and vegetables intake on vascular function

This research investigates the effect of fruit and vegetable consumption on cardiovascular health.

N02031: Impact of the amount and composition of dietary fat and carbohydrate on metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease risk

This research project aims to investigate the impact of the types and amounts of fat and carbohydrates consumed on cardiovascular disease risk.

N02032: Salt intake and cardiovascular health in adults - analysis of INTERMAP study and NDNS

This research project aims to carry out a detailed analysis of data in order to investigate the relationship between salt and blood pressure.

N02034: To improve understanding of the effects of habitual salt intake on cardiovascular health in adults

This research project aims to investigate the effects of modest salt reduction on blood pressure and target organ damage in patients with untreated essential hypertension.

N02035: Comparison of effects of increased whole grain foods on markers of cardiovascular risk

This research project aims to investigate the effects of whole grain foods on cardiovascular disease risk, as determined by measures of recognised bio-markers of disease risk.

N02036: Randomised controlled trial to test the impact of increased consumption of wholegrain foods on cardiovascular disease risk (the WHOLEheart study)

This research project is a randomised controlled trial investigating the effect of incremental increases in consumption of whole grain foods on the risk of cardiovascular disease.

N02038:Effect of tomato-rich diet on markers of cardiovascular risk

This research project will assess whether the consumption of tomato-based food affects recognised biomarkers of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in volunteers at high risk of CVD.

N02039: Impact of increasing doses of flavonoid-rich and flavonoid-poor fruit and vegetables on cardiovascular risk factors in an 'at risk' group (URFAVS)

This research project is designed to provide a sound basis for dietary advice on the types and levels of fruit and vegetable consumption required to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease in the general UK population and 'at risk' subgroups.