About us
The Diet and Cardiovascular Health Group led by Professor Tom Sanders focuses on understanding the physiological processes by which diet influences cardiovascular risk factors especially those concerned with plasma lipoproteins, insulin sensitivity, haemostasis and vascular function. Much of our research has been concerned with altering the type, particularly polyunsaturated fatty acids, and level of fat in the diet.
The group have also pioneered research into the effect of triglyceride structure on postprandial lipid metabolism. More recently we have been investigating the effect of different types of fat and food structure on the release of gut hormones that promote insulin secretion and have effects on satiety.
Over the years, we have acquired a high level of expertise in carrying out dietary intervention trials. Our current goal is to determine the optimum dietary intervention on the cardiovascular disease risk factors associated with the metabolic syndrome. We are investigating whether maternal obesity can programme the offspring to develop metabolic syndrome. We are particularly interested in why obesity causes metabolic syndrome in some people and not others.