Grant: Operating Grant: Programmatic Grants in Food and Health - LOI

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are chronic, lifelong, and caused by interactions among genetic predisposition, health behaviours and the environment, and are currently the leading cause of mortality and disease burden worldwide. In 2000, CVD was the second most costly contributor to total health costs in Canada ($22.2 billion). Many risk factors for CVD depend on dietary habits, and thus dietary modification is considered the cornerstone of prevention for CVD. Existing economic research has estimated the potential CVD related health economic benefit of flax, containing n-3 fatty acids, to be $1.1 to $3.5 billion. However, current knowledge does not allow patients or practitioners to connect treatment to the individuals most likely to benefit, or to motivate compliance with dietary recommendations. This research program will address these shortfalls. First, we will create evidence-based genetic biomarkers for the effectiveness of n-3 fatty acids in CVD prevention and treatment. Second, we will develop affordable diagnostic tests to determine whether an individual has a genotype making dietary intervention with n-3 fatty acids effective. Third, we will develop genotype-defined personalized dietary recommendations for CVD prevention and treatment strategies. Fourth, we will develop new and/or refined health claims and public health recommendations for dietary intervention with n-3 fatty acids based on genotype. Finally, we will maximize translation of our research into clinical and public health practice by developing targeted educational materials and strategies to promote expansive use of evidence-based genetics tests and motivate high consumer compliance with personalized genotype-defined dietary recommendations. This research program will improve nutritional health status at the individual level, reduce mortality and morbidity from CVD through dietary intervention focused on prevention, and result in personalized, effective and cost-efficient strategies for CVD.