biological sciences HONOURs 2014 - The University of Sydney
biological sciences HONOURs 2014 - The University of Sydney
biological sciences HONOURs 2014 - The University of Sydney
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22<br />
TESTING PROTEIN<br />
LEVERAGE IN HUMANS<br />
Research Interests<br />
A significant contributor to the rising rates <strong>of</strong> human<br />
obesity is an increase in energy intake. <strong>The</strong> protein leverage<br />
hypothesis proposes that a dominant appetite for protein in<br />
conjunction with a decline in the ratio <strong>of</strong> protein to fat and<br />
carbohydrate in the diet drives excess energy intake and<br />
could therefore promote the development <strong>of</strong> obesity. In a<br />
randomised controlled experimental study we have recently<br />
shown that lean humans eat significantly more carbohydrate<br />
and fat in order to maintain protein intake when percent<br />
protein <strong>of</strong> the diet is reduced from 15 to 10%. <strong>The</strong> results<br />
suggest that any change in the nutritional environment that<br />
dilutes dietary protein with carbohydrate and fat will promote<br />
overconsumption and encourage weight gain.<br />
Unfortunately there are many factors in the current nutritional<br />
environment encouraging us to eat foods that are high<br />
in sugars and fats, including reduced cost and increased<br />
availability <strong>of</strong> these foods and underpinning all this is our<br />
ancestral environment in which fat and simple sugars were<br />
highly prized; leaving us with a predilection for these foods. We<br />
are currently focusing on the interaction <strong>of</strong> these factors with<br />
protein leverage in overconsumption energy intake in humans.<br />
Dr Alison Gosby<br />
Room 322, Heydon-<br />
Laurence Building A08<br />
T: (02) 9036 6262<br />
E: alison.gosby@sydney.<br />
edu.au<br />
Honours project<br />
1. Investigation into the protein appetite signal.<br />
This project would involve analysis <strong>of</strong> samples collected from previous trials and completion <strong>of</strong><br />
a shorter trial to test a few candidate protein signals. And, would provide experience in project<br />
design, participant recruitment, project management and various biochemical techniques that<br />
would be used for sample analysis.