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Dr T Ispoglou, Prof Lauren Owen
No more applications being accepted
Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
About the Project
Project: The Role of New Zealand Blackcurrant Drink (Ārepa) Supplementation and Resistance Exercise on Cognitive Function, Musculoskeletal and Cardiometabolic Health in Peri-Menopausal Women
Director of Studies: Dr Theocharis Ispoglou
Supervisor: Professor Lauren Owen
While extensive research has focused on the general effects of nutrition and exercise on health, less attention has been given to specific life stages such as the peri-menopausal period. This transition is characterised by significant declines in cognitive function, musculoskeletal health, and cardiometabolic health due to hormonal changes. Current interventions often overlook the unique needs of peri-menopausal women, despite the critical impact of nutritional and exercise strategies on health.
Plants in our diet beneficial to our health phytonutrients. Blackcurrants are rich in phytonutrients, particularly polyphenolic flavonoids such as anthocyanins, which have been shown to facilitate cognitive function and mood in healthy adults as well as blood biomarkers of health status in menopausal women. Resistance exercise, crucial for managing peri-menopausal health, and when combined with optimal protein and energy intake, it can synergistically enhance musculoskeletal health.
The role of Ārepa drink supplementation, enriched with neuroprotective anthocyanins and L-Theanine, combined with resistance exercise, has not been extensively studied in this demographic. This project aims to fill this gap by exploring how Ārepa supplementation and structured resistance exercise can improve cognitive, musculoskeletal, and cardiometabolic health in peri-menopausal women, providing a holistic approach to managing the complex health challenges during this life stage.
Applicants are encouraged to discuss their proposals with Dr Theocharis Ispoglou and Professor Lauren Owen
Application Reference Number: 2024-Oct-AREPA/CSS-PHD
Start Date: 01 October 2024
Mode of Study: Full-Time (3yrs)
Number of Opportunities Available: 1
Interviews to take place from: 25 July 2024 to 26 July 2024
Further information and an application form can be found here
Funding Notes
A laptop will be provided
Type of Funding Available: Home (UK) Fees and Stipend
Stipend Value: £19,237
Stipends are tax-free and paid pro-rata in monthly payments
References
Buckinx, F. and Aubertin-Leheudre, M. (2022) Sarcopenia in Menopausal Women: Current Perspectives. Int J Womens Health, 14, pp. 805-819.
Conde, D. M., Verdade, R. C., Valadares, A. L. R., Mella, L. F. B., Pedro, A. O. and Costa-Paiva, L. (2021) Menopause and cognitive impairment: A narrative review of current knowledge. World J Psychiatry, 11 (8) Aug 19, pp. 412-428.
Hong, A. R. and Kim, S. W. (2018) Effects of Resistance Exercise on Bone Health. Endocrinol Metab (Seoul), 33 (4) Dec, pp. 435-444.
Ispoglou, T., Witard, O. C., Duckworth, L. C. and Lees, M. J. (2021) The efficacy of essential amino acid supplementation for augmenting dietary protein intake in older adults: implications for skeletal muscle mass, strength and function. Proc Nutr Soc, 80 (2) May, pp. 230-242.
Kent, K., Charlton, K. E., Netzel, M. and Fanning, K. (2017) Food-based anthocyanin intake and cognitive outcomes in human intervention trials: a systematic review. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, 30 (3), pp. 260-274.
Lorzadeh, E., Kent, K., Rosario, V., Roodenrys, S., Weston-Green, K. and Charlton, K. (2024) Habitual consumption of anthocyanin is associated with improvements in mood and cognitive performance in older people with memory complaints. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 83 05/07, pp.
Maas, A. H. and Franke, H. R. (2009) Women's health in menopause with a focus on hypertension. Neth Heart J, 17 (2) Feb, pp. 68-72.
Nosal, B. M., Sakaki, J. R., Mofrad, M. D., Macdonald, Z., Mahoney, K. J., Thornton, S. N., Patel, D., Drossman, J., Lee, E. C. and Chun, O. K. (2023) Blackcurrant Anthocyanins Improve Blood Lipids and Biomarkers of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Healthy Women in Menopause Transition without Changing Body Composition. Biomedicines, 11 (10) Oct 19, pp.
Sipilä, S., Törmäkangas, T., Sillanpää, E., Aukee, P., Kujala, U. M., Kovanen, V. and Laakkonen, E. K. (2020) Muscle and bone mass in middle-aged women: role of menopausal status and physical activity. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle, 11 (3) Jun, pp. 698-709.
Smith-Ryan, A. E., Cabre, H. E. and Moore, S. R. (2022) Active Women Across the Lifespan: Nutritional Ingredients to Support Health and Wellness. Sports Med, 52 (Suppl 1) Dec, pp. 101-117.
Tan, T.-W., Tan, H.-L., Hsu, M.-F., Huang, H.-L. and Chung, Y.-C. (2023) Effect of non-pharmacological interventions on the prevention of sarcopenia in menopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC Women's Health, 23 (1) 2023/11/14, pp. 606.
Conde, D. M., Verdade, R. C., Valadares, A. L. R., Mella, L. F. B., Pedro, A. O. and Costa-Paiva, L. (2021) Menopause and cognitive impairment: A narrative review of current knowledge. World J Psychiatry, 11 (8) Aug 19, pp. 412-428.
Hong, A. R. and Kim, S. W. (2018) Effects of Resistance Exercise on Bone Health. Endocrinol Metab (Seoul), 33 (4) Dec, pp. 435-444.
Ispoglou, T., Witard, O. C., Duckworth, L. C. and Lees, M. J. (2021) The efficacy of essential amino acid supplementation for augmenting dietary protein intake in older adults: implications for skeletal muscle mass, strength and function. Proc Nutr Soc, 80 (2) May, pp. 230-242.
Kent, K., Charlton, K. E., Netzel, M. and Fanning, K. (2017) Food-based anthocyanin intake and cognitive outcomes in human intervention trials: a systematic review. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, 30 (3), pp. 260-274.
Lorzadeh, E., Kent, K., Rosario, V., Roodenrys, S., Weston-Green, K. and Charlton, K. (2024) Habitual consumption of anthocyanin is associated with improvements in mood and cognitive performance in older people with memory complaints. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 83 05/07, pp.
Maas, A. H. and Franke, H. R. (2009) Women's health in menopause with a focus on hypertension. Neth Heart J, 17 (2) Feb, pp. 68-72.
Nosal, B. M., Sakaki, J. R., Mofrad, M. D., Macdonald, Z., Mahoney, K. J., Thornton, S. N., Patel, D., Drossman, J., Lee, E. C. and Chun, O. K. (2023) Blackcurrant Anthocyanins Improve Blood Lipids and Biomarkers of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Healthy Women in Menopause Transition without Changing Body Composition. Biomedicines, 11 (10) Oct 19, pp.
Sipilä, S., Törmäkangas, T., Sillanpää, E., Aukee, P., Kujala, U. M., Kovanen, V. and Laakkonen, E. K. (2020) Muscle and bone mass in middle-aged women: role of menopausal status and physical activity. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle, 11 (3) Jun, pp. 698-709.
Smith-Ryan, A. E., Cabre, H. E. and Moore, S. R. (2022) Active Women Across the Lifespan: Nutritional Ingredients to Support Health and Wellness. Sports Med, 52 (Suppl 1) Dec, pp. 101-117.
Tan, T.-W., Tan, H.-L., Hsu, M.-F., Huang, H.-L. and Chung, Y.-C. (2023) Effect of non-pharmacological interventions on the prevention of sarcopenia in menopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC Women's Health, 23 (1) 2023/11/14, pp. 606.
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