biological sciences HONOURs 2014 - The University of Sydney

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