University of Newcastle’s Dr Erin Clarke has been awarded a NSW Health Cardiovascular Senior and Early-Mid Career Researcher Grant valued at $449,000, to support the research project, Precision and personalised medical nutrition therapy to improve heart health. 

A researcher in HMRI’s Food and Nutrition Research Program, Dr Clarke’s work aims to transform how personalised nutrition therapy is delivered to patients with cardiovascular disease. 

“Current dietary interventions tend to be one-size-fits-all, but we know that individuals respond differently based on their unique genetic makeup and metabolism,” said Dr Clarke. 

“This grant will allow us to investigate how genetic and metabolic variation affects the way people respond to medical nutrition therapy, which could significantly improve treatment outcomes.” 

Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) is considered first-line treatment for conditions like hypertension, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. However, the effectiveness varies considerably between individuals. 

The research comes at a critical time, with prediabetes affecting approximately 541 million people globally and metabolic syndrome prevalence ranging from 12.5% to 31.4%. In Australia, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death. 

“What most people don’t realise is that two individuals can eat identical meals and experience completely different blood glucose responses,” Dr Clarke explained. “Recent studies have demonstrated that personalised nutrition approaches can significantly reduce these fluctuations, which is crucial for managing heart health.” 

Dr Clarke’s research will develop methods to predict which patients will respond best to specific dietary interventions, allowing healthcare providers to personalise treatment plans. 

“For our community, this could mean more effective dietary advice tailored to your individual needs rather than generic recommendations,” said Dr Clarke. “If you’re managing conditions like high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes, personalised nutrition approaches could lead to better outcomes with fewer medications.” 

The practical implications for Hunter New England communities could be substantial. While the research is ongoing, Dr Clarke suggests that anyone managing cardiovascular conditions should: 

• Discuss with their healthcare provider how their individual factors might affect their response to dietary changes. 

• Keep records of how their body responds to different foods. 

• Work with accredited practising dietitians who can provide personalised advice.

“By identifying the patients who will benefit most from nutrition therapy, we can optimise cardiovascular outcomes while minimising treatment delays for those who might need alternative approaches,” Dr Clarke explained. 

The three-year project will investigate biomarkers and genetic variations that influence responses to dietary interventions, with the goal of developing practical tools for clinical use. 

“Ultimately, we want to create a framework where clinicians can triage patients based on their likelihood of responding to nutrition therapy, ensuring everyone receives the most effective treatment pathway,” Dr Clarke said. 

Previous research has shown that even small improvements in cardiovascular risk factors like blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose can significantly reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Dr Clarke’s work aims to maximise these benefits by matching individuals with the dietary approaches most likely to work for their specific genetic and metabolic profile. 

The NSW Health Cardiovascular Senior and Early-Mid Career Researcher Grants program supports promising researchers working to improve cardiovascular health outcomes in the state. 

Dr Clarke’s grant was one of several awarded in the 2024 funding round, reflecting the high quality of cardiovascular research being conducted at HMRI. 

“This support from NSW Health is crucial for advancing our understanding of personalised nutrition approaches. The potential to tailor dietary advice based on individual characteristics could transform how we treat and prevent heart disease in our community,” said Dr Clarke.

Dr Clarke is part of a multidisciplinary team of experts from across Australia and Ireland, including researchers from the University of Newcastle, University of Tasmania, Monash University, and University College Dublin. 
 
Team members include: Dr Erin Clarke (University of Newcastle), Laureate Professor Clare Collins AO (University of Newcastle), Dr William Reay (University of Tasmania), Professor Murray Cairns (University of Newcastle), Professor Francine Marques (Monash University), Associate Professor Shamasunder Acharya (University of Newcastle), Professor Andrew Boyle (University of Newcastle), Professor Geoff Head (Monash University), and Professor Lorraine Brennan (University College Dublin).