2023/24 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue
FOOD5147M Diet and Cardiovascular Health
10 creditsClass Size: 150
Module manager: Dr Christine Bosch
Email: C.Bosch@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2023/24
This module is mutually exclusive with
| FOOD3071 | Diet and Cardiovascular Health |
This module is approved as an Elective
Module summary
After smoking, diet has the greatest influence on the preventable nature of diseases such as cancers and heart disease. Where does the evidence come from that initiated world-wide campaigns such as '5-a-day?' What is the French Paradox? Does a Mediterranean diet really benefit everyone, or is it just all to do with the sunshine? Diet and Health will start by discussing epidemiology, putting into context the implications of reducing disease risk by improved diets. Optimum nutrition, particularly in relation to use of supplementation, will be debated. However, the underpinning theme of the module is cardiovascular health and interactions of diet. With this in mind, we will discuss the background physiology and biochemistry of endothelial function and how endothelial dysfunction can lead to cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease and stroke. The implications of diets high in fat and fructose, or low in fibre and folate will be considered. Using examples from recent research, the influence of dietary phytochemicals, such as polyphenols (in red wine, coffee, tea and chocolate), glucosinolates (in broccoli) and isoflavones (in soya) will be discussed. Furthermore, cognitive performance is influenced by diet and health status, including endothelial health, and this will be explored particularly in relation to Alzheimer’s disease.Objectives
After smoking, diet has the greatest influence on the preventable nature of diseases such as cancers and heart disease. Where does the evidence come from that initiated world-wide campaigns such as '5-a-day?' What is the French Paradox? Does a Mediterranean diet really benefit everyone, or is it just all to do with the sunshine? Diet and Health will start by discussing epidemiology, putting into context the implications of reducing disease risk by improved diets. Optimum nutrition, particularly in relation to use of supplementation, will be debated. However, the underpinning theme of the module is cardiovascular health and interactions of diet. With this in mind, we will discuss the background physiology and biochemistry of endothelial function and how endothelial dysfunction can lead to cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease and stroke. The implications of diets high in fat and fructose, or low in fibre and folate will be considered. Using examples from recent research, the influence of dietary phytochemicals, such as polyphenols (in red wine, coffee, tea and chocolate), glucosinolates (in broccoli) and isoflavones (in soya) will be discussed. Furthermore, cognitive performance is influenced by diet and health status, including endothelial health, and this will be explored particularly in relation to Alzheimer’s disease.Syllabus
Introduction to BSc module and concepts in Diet and Cardiovascular Health & Disease
Endothelial function and dysfunction
Cardiovascular health and diet
Role and mechanism of dietary fats in atherosclerosis
Phytochemical bioavailability and bioactivity
Tea, coffee, cocoa and citrus evidence explored for cardiovascular health
Folate and fructose and health: role of diet-gene interactions
Hypertension and dietary interventions
Dietary petterns and evidence for cardiovascular outcome
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Lecture | 14 | 1.00 | 14.00 |
| Practical | 3 | 3.00 | 9.00 |
| Seminar | 2 | 1.00 | 2.00 |
| Private study hours | 75.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 25.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100.00 | ||
Private study
- Private study on lecture material and examination preparation: 60 hours- Directed reading for lectures: 6 hours
- Preparation for practical and laboratory report: 9 hours.
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
From attendance at lectures throughout the semester.Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Report | Practical Report | 30.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 30.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Exams
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
| Online Time-Limited assessment | 1 hr 30 mins | 70.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 70.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 28/04/2023 14:55:42
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