Biomarkers to measure sugar and animal protein in the diet
Application of predictive biomarkers of sugars and animal protein intake for investigation of dietary measurement error and its effect on diet-disease associations
Using urine and blood tests to get more accurate pictures of sugar and animal-protein intake for adults concerned about diabetes, heart disease, or cancer risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Arizona State University-Tempe Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Scottsdale, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11179149 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
As a patient, I would be asked to provide or have researchers use existing blood and urine samples to measure sugar and protein biomarkers and compare those lab results to what people report eating. The team will measure 24-hour urinary sucrose and fructose and serum carbon isotope ratios and use those markers to create equations that estimate true intake. They will apply those biomarker-calibrated intake estimates to see how links between sugars, animal protein, and diseases like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer change. The work aims to reduce errors from self-reported diets so future nutrition advice is based on more accurate evidence.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults who can provide or allow access to blood and urine samples and complete dietary questionnaires, including people with or at risk for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or cancer, are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Children, people unwilling to provide biospecimens or dietary information, and those seeking immediate therapeutic treatment rather than participation in observational biomarker work may not benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to more reliable diet-disease links and better nutrition guidance for preventing diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work has shown urinary sucrose/fructose and serum carbon isotope ratios can serve as dietary biomarkers and the parent SugarsBio project validated some of these markers, though applying them to revise diet–disease links is still emerging.
Where this research is happening
Scottsdale, United States
- Arizona State University-Tempe Campus — Scottsdale, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tasevska, Natasha — Arizona State University-Tempe Campus
- Study coordinator: Tasevska, Natasha
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.