Nutrition Research is a unique area in which we provide services that are different from those of a clinical dietary/nutrition department. The Bionutrition Research Core is available for consultation to support your protocol development and/or implementation on the GCRC.

We provide services such as:

• Identification and development of nutrition components to support protocol requirements and guidance on how a diet or pre-study nutritional status may influence outcome or confound data.
• Anthropometric measurements and interpretation for nutrition and exercise-related protocols.
• Resting energy expenditure and exercise-stress testing using the latest Medgraphics equipment.
• Body composition testing using the BODPOD, bioelectrical impediance analysis equipment or skinfold caliper.
• Diet instructions, assessment, and analysis; Physical Activity curriculum development, counseling, and/or assessment.
• Advice on study requirements for nutrition services/special meals during an inpatient stay and computer analysis of dietary intake.
• Assistance in the identification of diet set points (i.e. relationship of meals to a study drug) and/or the effects of wide fluctuations in dietary composition on study drugs.
• Assistance in grant applications related to the nutrition and exercise sections.

Please take a moment and review the questions below in relation to your protocol. If you are uncertain about the answers, we are available for consultation.

• How might the nutritional status or diet of a subject influence outcome? Can nutritional status or diet be a confounder (subject too thin, too overweight, changes in weight)?
• Are there sources of "contamination" to study questions that need to be identified such as concentration of nutrients in food such as calories, protein, vitamins or minerals?
• Does the study require a consistent and specific dietary intake, and is it within the current ability of the Bionutrition core to monitor adherence?
• Does the study require a food frequency or physical activity questionnaire, 24-hour recalls, 3-day dietary or physical activity records?
• Do you require information/educational material and/or counseling on nutrition and/or physical activity?
• Do you have special meal requirements? Meal studies define the way to quantify a relationship between specific dietary constituents and specific outcomes.
• Does your protocol require a current nutritional literature review?
• In studies of drug absorption, will wide fluctuations in dietary composition of orally administered drugs confound data?
• Will your study require or benefit from monitoring compliance to dietary modifications while in the PCRC?
• Would you like nutrient analysis using the latest software?

To schedule an appointment with Lauren Rhee, MS RD, please call 202-884-2910 or e-mail: lrhee@cnmc.org