Keenan Research Centre

Scientist Profiles

Image of Vladimir Vuksan

Vladimir Vuksan

B.Sc. (biochemistry and food technology), University of Zagreb, Croatia; M.Sc. (nutrition and biochemistry), University of Zagreb, Croatia; PhD (nutrition and medicine), University of Zagreb, Croatia; Postdoctoral Fellowship (nutrition and medicine), University of Toronto

Affiliations

Scientist in the Keenan Research Centre of the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael's Hospital

Professor, Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto; cross-appointed with the Department of Medicine, University of Toronto

Associate Director of Clinical Trials, Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Centre, Division of Endocrinology, St. Michael's Hospital

Director of the Health Discoveries Corporate Health Screening Program, Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Centre, Division of Endocrinology, St. Michael's Hospital

Manager, Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Centre, Division of Endocrinology, St. Michael's Hospital

Research Associate, Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Centre, Division of Endocrinology, St. Michael's Hospital

Clinical Specialty

Diabetes

Research Interests

Clinical diabetes, alternative therapies, herbs, grain, fibre

Selected Publications

Link to Pub Med

Research Activities

We focus on the development of alternative therapies and new treatment modalities, as well as functional foods, nutraceuticals and herbal medicine in the prevention and treatment of diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. The Risk Factor Modification Centre is an integral part of the Diabetes Comprehensive Program (DCCP) of St. Michael's Hospital, a unique North American "one-stop shopping" program with substantial clinical, academic and research strength. Incorporating the divisions of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Nephrology, Urology and the departments of Ophthalmology and Nutritional Sciences, the pivotal focus of the DCCP is on high profile research endeavours related to the treatment of diabetes and its complications. Some of the highlights of work in the RFMC include:

  1. Viscous Fibre Blend: Simultaneous effect on diabetes control, blood cholesterol, blood pressure, and appetite regulation in individuals with diabetes and metabolic syndrome, beyond medication. This is one of two studies recognized by the American Dietetic Association for long-term diabetes treatment. This product is now commercially available and patent approved.
  2. Novel whole grain Salba (Salvia hispanica L. Alba): The health benefits of a new whole grain crop have been investigated at the RFMC. Salba is the richest whole food source of dietary fibre, Omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. This novel grain is a uniquely rich addition to our model of simple supplementation to conventional therapies, improving major and emerging cardiovascular risk factors in type 2 diabetes.
  3. Ginseng root: During the last 10 years, our research group has explored the role of ginseng in glucose control of diabetic and non-diabetic individuals. Our studies include long-term diabetes control, reduction in blood glucose, blood pressure lowering and vasodilatation with the assessment of American Ginseng and Korean Red Ginseng. These are the first studies of this type in glucose-lowering effects in the world and have generated major international press and public interest, including CNN, Time magazine, BBC and Prevention magazine, to name but a few.
  4. Plant Portfolio: Results of acute and long term studies indicated that the above three interventions have a positive effect on different risk factors associated with diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In order to have a broader effect on diabetes risk factors, we are to combine interventions that have the potential to produce effects similar to conventional polypharmacy interventions. The first study combined American ginseng and viscous fibre blend which have opposite but complimentary effects on glycemia and insulin or Type 2 Diabetes. Our long term study was conducted in 31 individuals with diabetes, treated by conventional medications, and shown improvement in A1c, and reduction in blood lipids and C-reactive protein (CRP).

All of these evidence-based discoveries have been extensively tested in a series of acute and long term randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trials at the RFMC. Although more trials have to be conducted, we believe we have a good amount of evidence-based discoveries that could be used singularly or in combination to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease.

Other Activities

  1. President, Natural Health Product Research Society of Canada, BC Institute of Technology, Board of Directors, Burnaby, Vancouver
  2. Vice Chair, Diabetes and Nutritional Study Group (DNSG) Nutrition of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD)
  3. Member, Executive Council of the Diabetes Care Comprehensive Care Program, St. Michael's Hospital
  4. Member, Canadian Diabetes Association Peer Review Committee
  5. Member, Health Canada Expert Panel for the Regulation of Novel Food Status Committee
  6. Member, Canadian Obesity Network, Health Canada
  7. Member, Expert Committee on Nutritional Aspects of Food, and Expert Committee on Plant Products, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, OMAFRA
  8. Chair, National Nutrition Committee, Canadian Diabetes Association
  9. Admission and Fellowship Committee, Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto
  10. Member, WHO Monitoring Committee, National Diabetes Program, Department of Health, Republic of Malta, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
  11. International Contributing Editor, Journal of American College of Nutrition
  12. Member, American Society for Nutrition
  13. Honorary Guest and Member, Opening Ceremony of the First Chinese Corporation to Grow and Produce Glucomannan-Based Health Food Products, Governor of Province of Yunnan
  14. Member, WHO Monitoring Committee, National Diabetes Program, Department of Health, Republic of Malta, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
  15. Occasional Expert Panel Member, GRAS approval of FDA, Washington, U.S., Cantox Inc., Canada

Educational Activities

I have appointments in the Department of Nutritional Sciences in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto. I currently supervise two postdoctoral fellows, one PhD student as well as four M.Sc. students.

Contact

Phone: 416-864-5525
Fax: 416-864-5538
E-mail: v.vuksan@utoronto.ca
Website: http://www.utoronto.ca/nutrisci/

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