Participants sought: Gut pH and blood pressure regulation

Monash researchers are investigating whether high fibre foods
may help reduce blood pressure

In recent years, there has been an explosion of information about the gut microbiome (the billions of microorganisms that live in our large intestine). 

Research suggests that the food we eat plays a role in manipulating the environment of the gut microbiome, and can contribute to the development of high blood pressure. When we eat foods that are high in fibre, the fibre makes its way down to the large intestine, mainly undigested. The ‘good’ bacteria feed on this fibre and release acidic substances that might be beneficial in lowering blood pressure.

Participants sought: Will prebiotic dietary fibre reduce blood pressure?

We're trying to find out whether a

particular kind of dietary fibre, called

'prebiotic', influences blood pressure

If you have high blood pressure but are not on medication, we would love to hear from you about participating in a research study investigating whether the use of prebiotic dietary fibre lowers blood pressure.

Our diet has been long known to influence the levels of blood pressure. While our bodies are incapable of digesting some types of fibre, they are fermented in the gut, where they feed the community of ‘good’ microbes. This results in the release of substances that may be beneficial in lowering blood pressure. The present study will test if a modified high fibre supplement could be used to lower blood pressure.

Optimising traumatic brain injury (TBI) outcomes in children

Monitoring pressure of cerebral blood vessels in children with
TBI may improve outcomes. Image: stmaryskids.org

An Alfred-Monash collaboration led by recent Department of Surgery PhD graduate Dr Phil Lewis, with the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne and Cambridge University (UK), has published a study on children with traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in children.