The Medical Research Council (MRC) Collaborative Centre for Human Nutrition Research (HNR) was established in 1998 to advance knowledge of the relationships between human nutrition and health by providing a national centre of excellence for the measurement and interpretation of biochemical, functional and dietary indicators of nutritional status and health. HNR conducts basic research in relevant areas, focusing on optimal nutritional status and nutritional vulnerability in relation to health, including the development of innovative methodologies. HNR responds to the strategic priorities of the wider scientific community by conducting research projects, within the scope of HNR’s activities, in collaboration with, and on behalf of: other MRC establishments and groups, government departments, industry, national and international agencies, universities, research foundations and charitable organizations. HNR also acts as an independent, authoritative source of scientific advice and information on nutrition and health in order to foster evidence-based nutrition policy and practice. Research carried out at HNR has helped to shape the understanding of nutrition science by:
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Developing and improving dietary assessment and analysis methods for evaluating the diets and health and relationships to biomarkers and disease outcomes in both populations and key subgroups like children and the elderly. The development of a comprehensive dietary assessment system allows the extensive evaluation of food and nutrient intakes. In recent years the scope of analysis has expanded to include the investigation of dietary patterns and behaviours, as well as lifestyle and demographic variables.
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Developing a better understanding of metabolic disease by investigating nutritional related causal mechanisms and interventions. This research focuses on identifying specific dietary components that may reduce the risk of excessive weight gain and obesity-related disease. By undertaking observational studies of dietary habits and integrating these with highly controlled experimental studies aetiological hypotheses such as the effectiveness of behavioural programmes and pharmacotherapy to enhance adherence to weight loss strategies have been tested. Furthermore dietary intervention studies examine the potential for specific dietary habits to reduce the risk of disease and incorporate the study of circulating markers and gene expression to examine mechanisms underpinning obesityrelated disease, in particular the role of inflammation.
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Using stable isotope techniques the physical activity levels and energy requirements of people in a wide range of circumstances can be assessed, thus promoting optimal health through discovery and measurement of physiological markers of nutrition and health.
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By integrating in-depth, community-based physiological studies with fundamental studies at the genetic, biochemical and metabolic level results in a cross-cultural and international perspective on osteoporosis risk thus occupying a niche within the osteoporosis research community. We are positioned between those groups investigating the basic biology of the skeleton and those exploring, at the clinical and epidemiological level, the relationships between fracture risk and environmental exposures. Particular strengths lie in the comparative studies in three widely differing population groups, the focus on children and young women and the HNR perspective on nutrition and health in developing countries.
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Promoting optimal population health by investigating the functional role of micronutrients in the prevention of inflammation and chronic disease. The HNR research strategy is to carry out basic molecular and cellular studies that identify the functional and quality-of-life effects of iron deficiency in differing populations, and investigating the influence of the chemical form of iron used in oral supplementation on iron absorption and the potential for side effects. Current studies focus on Calcium phosphate, inflammation and gut health; Vitamins, phytonutrients and inflammation, and trace elements in health and disease.
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HNR, together with the National Centre for Social Research and the Joint Health Surveys unit at University College London, conduct the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) rolling programme. The National Diet and Nutrition Survey gathers information on the dietary habits and nutritional status of the British population. Over one thousand individuals of all ages are assessed every year. HNR are responsible for providing a number of different types of information:
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The dietary assessment team provides information on food and nutrient intake of individuals and population trends in food consumption;
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Physical measures are monitored for the prevalence of obesity and assisting in the interpretation of dietary and biochemical data;
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Biochemical analysis develops and measures objective markers of nutritional status in blood and urine;
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Interpretation and analysis of the data collected informs policy and practice in nutrition.
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Dissemination of study findings through the peer review process ensures that findings reach the widest possible scientific audience. The close integration with the Nutrition and Health Communications team ensures that HNR can translate research findings into policy and practice. Public engagement and knowledge transfer activities allow nutrition science to reach a variety of audiences.
Developing and improving dietary assessment and analysis methods for evaluating the diets and health and relationships to biomarkers and disease outcomes in both populations and key subgroups like children and the elderly. The development of a comprehensive dietary assessment system allows the extensive evaluation of food and nutrient intakes. In recent years the scope of analysis has expanded to include the investigation of dietary patterns and behaviours, as well as lifestyle and demographic variables.
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