Karen J Murphy

• BAppSc, Hons, PhD, MDiet, APD
• Senior Researcher at University of South Australia

Background/Objectives: Determining whether dietary fatty acids and the use of fat spreads are associated with cardiovascular risk factors is difficult due to the multicollinearity of fatty acids and the consumption of multiple spread types. Methods: We applied clustering methodologies using data on 31 different fatty acids and 5 different types of...

Purpose Inadequate reporting of nutrition data can hinder the success of nutrition health policies. CONSORT provides guidance for reporting of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and is required by most journals today, yet reporting of nutrition interventions may benefit from a more tailored approach. A Federation of European Nutrition Societies wo...

Malnutrition and frailty are preventable and reversible. However, a significant proportion of aged care residents live with malnutrition and frailty which have associated complications such as increased falls, hospitalizations, infections, and decreased quality of life. Nutrition and dietary interventions can prevent these issues, however, there a...

Background: Healthy dietary patterns can support the maintenance of cognition and brain health in older age and are negatively associated with cardiometabolic risk. Cardiometabolic risk factors are similarly important for cognition and may play an important role in linking diet to cognition. Aim: This study aimed to explore the relationship between...

Creating effective dietary guidance requires a rigorous evidence base that is predominantly developed from robust clinical trials or large scale cohort studies, with the quality of the data available depending on the completeness and accuracy of their reporting. An international group of academics from 14 institutions in 12 different countries and...

Data generated by nutrition intervention trials may be used to inform public health policy and decision making, though inadequate and non-standardized reporting can hinder application of results and ultimately the success of health policies.The CONSORT guidelines are widely used as a guide for reporting of RCTs in nutrition. Yet, nutrition interven...

Background Several clinical trials have examined diet and physical activity lifestyle changes as mitigation strategies for risk factors linked to cognitive decline and dementias such as Alzheimer’s disease. However, the ability to modify these behaviors longer term, to impact cognitive health has remained elusive. Objective The MedWalk trial’s pri...

The association between H. pylori and small intestinal permeability (IP) on serum testosterone levels in men as mediated by metabolic endotoxemia remains unclear. We sought to explore relationships using correlational analysis between H. pylori IgG class antibody levels and small IP via dual sugar probe analysis on T levels in 50 male participants...

The impact of a Mediterranean diet on the intestinal microbiome has been linked to its health benefits. We aim to evaluate the effects of a Mediterranean diet supplemented with dairy foods on the gut microbiome in Australians at risk of cardiovascular disease. In a randomised controlled cross-over study, 34 adults with a systolic blood pressure ≥12...

Background Self-reported adherence to the Mediterranean diet has been modestly inversely associated with incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in cohort studies. There is uncertainty about the validity and magnitude of this association due to subjective reporting of diet. The association has not been evaluated using an objectively measured biomarker o...

PurposeReporting guidelines facilitate quality and completeness in research reporting. The CONsolidated Standards Of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement is widely applied to dietary and nutrition trials but has no extension specific to nutrition. Evidence suggests poor reporting in nutrition research. The Federation of European Nutrition Societies...

Introduction: Australian healthy food baskets are typically modelled off the Government Guidelines for healthy eating. However, these baskets have not been updated recently, nor has there been a Mediterranean Diet basket developed for an Australian population despite research suggesting high adherence is possible and subsequent health benefits obs...

Increasing evidence supports that a higher dietary inflammatory index (DII®) score is associated with inflammation and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, events, and mortality. This randomized trial sought to determine if a change to a Mediterranean diet resulted in a reduction in the DII score, and then it evaluated the relationship between the DI...

A multitude of weight loss diets exist. However, no one diet has been proven to be superior, despite their claims. Resultingly, this creates confusion amongst consumers and conflicting nutrition messages. The aim of the ranking system was to evaluate a range of dietary pattern’s nutrition profile and financial costs, as well as their potential long...

Mediterranean populations enjoy the health benefits of a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), but is it feasible to implement such a pattern beyond the Mediterranean region? The MedLey trial, a 6-month MedDiet intervention vs habitual diet in older Australians, demonstrated that the participants could maintain high adherence to a MedDiet for 6 months. The...

Background Weight loss diets continue to rise in popularity; however, the associated costs are seldom reported. Certain weight loss diets may be unaffordable and differ from their traditional nutrition composition to include non-conventional premium products. In contrast, healthy eating principles such as the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating (AGH...

Introduction Approximately 40% of late-life dementia may be prevented by addressing modifiable risk factors, including physical activity and diet. Yet, it is currently unknown how multiple lifestyle factors interact to influence cognition. The ACTIVate Study aims to (1) explore associations between 24-hour time-use and diet compositions with change...

Chronic inflammation is known to be a predominant factor in the development of many age-related conditions including cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases. Previous studies have demonstrated that during the ageing process there is an increase in inflammatory biomarkers, which may be partially brought about by detri...

Introduction Approximately 40% of late-life dementia may be prevented by addressing modifiable risk factors, including physical activity and diet. Yet, it is currently unknown how multiple lifestyle factors interact to influence cognition. The ACTIVate Study aims to 1) Explore associations between 24-hour time-use and diet compositions with changes...

Background Although the long-term effects of a Mediterranean-style dietary pattern (MDP) on cognition and overall mental wellbeing have been consistently described, the short-term effects of the MDP on cognitive performance, mood and anxiety have not been as widely reviewed. Objectives The aims of this systematic review were to synthesise the evid...

There is limited information regarding the nutrition profile and diet quality of meal plans from currently popular weight loss diets in Australia. This includes the energy content (kilojoules), the macronutrient distribution, and the micronutrient composition. Further, these diets have not been compared with current government guidelines and health...

Women consuming a strictly vegan/plant-based diet may be at increased risk of low iodine intake due to avoidance of animal products containing iodine. The aim of this pilot study was to determine the iodine excretion and intake in women consuming vegan/plant based diets compared with women consuming omnivore diets. Fifty-seven women (n = 31 plant-b...

Artificial intelligence virtual health assistants are a promising emerging technology. This study is a process evaluation of a 12-week pilot physical activity and diet program delivered by virtual assistant “Paola”. This single-arm repeated measures study (n = 28, aged 45–75 years) was evaluated on technical performance (accuracy of conversational...

Hypertension is a key modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) may be associated with improvements in blood pressure. However, few studies have examined the association between MedDiet adherence and blood pressure in non‐Mediterranean populations, and findings are mixed. We analyzed cross‐sectional data (W...

Poor diet and physical inactivity are leading modifiable causes of death and chronic disease. Robust evidence confirms that the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) reduces mortality and cardiovascular disease risk, and promotes healthy longevity. However, MedDiet interventions are typically resource intensive, requiring regular face-to-face visits, in a o...

The Mediterranean diet is rich in bioactive nutrients and may be effective at preventing cardiovascular disease and dementia. However, long-term sustainability could be limited in non-Mediterranean populations with different nutrient requirements and food preferences. To address this issue, our research group conducted two randomised controlled tri...

The Blue Zones are known for healthy longevity and low rates of chronic disease. Common denominators between blue zones include social, environmental and spiritual foundations for good health, however there are key dietary contributors including mindful eating and a predominantly plant-based diet. the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is a plant-based d...

BACKGROUND Background: Poor diet and physical inactivity are leading modifiable causes of death and disease. Advances in artificial intelligence technology present tantalising opportunities for creating virtual health coaches capable of providing personalised support at scale. OBJECTIVE This proof of concept study aimed to test the feasibility (re...

Background: Poor diet and physical inactivity are leading modifiable causes of death and disease. Advances in artificial intelligence technology present tantalizing opportunities for creating virtual health coaches capable of providing personalized support at scale. Objective: This proof of concept study aimed to test the feasibility (recruitmen...

Background: Adherence to a Mediterranean diet is associated with higher cognitive function and reduced risk of dementia in Mediterranean populations. However, few studies have investigated the association between Mediterranean diet adherence and cognition in populations outside of the Mediterranean basin. Furthermore, it is currently unknown whethe...

Background: The Mediterranean diet may be capable of improving cognitive function. However, the red meat restrictions of the diet could impact long-term adherence in Western populations. The current study therefore examined the cognitive effects of a Mediterranean diet with additional red meat. Methods: A 24-week parallel crossover design compar...

The Mediterranean diet offers a range of health benefits. However, previous studies indicate that the restricted consumption of red meat in the diet may affect long-term sustainability in non-Mediterranean countries. A 24-week randomised controlled parallel cross-over design compared a Mediterranean diet supplemented with 2–3 serves per week of fre...

Objectives: Mediterranean populations have enjoyed the health benefits of a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), for years, which could offer better health to Western countries which suffer from chronic disease such as heart disease. But is it feasible to implement such a pattern beyond the Mediterranean basin?The MedLey trial, a 6 month MedDiet interven...

Background: The Mediterranean diet has been linked to improved cognitive function and reduced risk of dementia. However, a traditional Mediterranean diet may not meet calcium requirements for older non-Mediterranean populations, which could limit long-term sustainability in Western countries. The current study therefore aimed to determine the cogni...

Background & Aims: Given the enormous health, economic and societal consequences of the obesity pandemic, identifying effective primary prevention strategies represents a global priority. The aim of this study was to provide evidence on the association between adherence to a food-based score reflecting a set of targeted, well-informed, simple diet...

Background: The Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) offers benefits to cardiovascular health but may not meet Western recommendations for calcium and dairy intake, which could impede long-term adoption. Objective: The current study aimed to determine the effect of a MedDiet supplemented with dairy foods on cardiovascular risk factors. Design: A rando...

Flavonoid consumption has reported health benefits such as reducing cardiovascular disease risk factors, improving endothelial function, and delaying age-related cognitive decline. However, there are little dietary intake data for Australians, which limit our ability to make dietary recommendations to increase intakes to a level where health benefi...

Background: Although higher-protein diets (HP) can assist with weight loss and glycemic control, their effect on psychological wellbeing has not been established. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of a HP and a higher-carbohydrate diet (HC), combined with regular exercise, on psychological wellbeing both during weight loss (WL...

Food cravings are common in type 2 diabetes (T2D). Higher-protein diets are effective in improving satiety but their effect on cravings is unclear. It was hypothesized that a high protein (HP) diet would provide greater reductions in cravings than an isocaloric higher-carbohydrate diet (HC). In a randomized controlled trial, 61 adults (54% males) w...

Although preventable, unhealthy BMI and dietary risks have been recently identified as factors causing the greatest burden of disease. Some doubts still exist on the effectiveness of prevailing nutritional messages to prevent weight gain. We examined the association between an evidence-based Dietary Obesity Prevention Score (DOPS) and the incidence...

Purpose of review: Populations surrounding the Mediterranean basin have traditionally reaped health benefits from a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), which may benefit Westernized countries plagued by chronic disease. But is it feasible to implement beyond the Mediterranean? To answer this question, we present evidence from randomized controlled trial...

Background: The Mediterranean diet is characterised by the high consumption of extra virgin olive oil, fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes and nuts; moderate consumption of fish, poultry, eggs and dairy; and low consumption of red meat and sweets. Cross sectional, longitudinal and intervention studies indicate that a Mediterranean diet may be effe...

The authors request the following corrections to their paper [...]

Background: Health benefits of a Mediterranean dietary pattern have been shown. However, there are few data on the effects of increased adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) in non-Mediterranean countries. Objective: We aimed to determine whether adherence to a MedDiet would result in changes in plasma lipids, glucose and insulin, high-sensit...

Adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is thought to be achievable in non-Mediterranean regions, but this has yet to be investigated. We aimed to determine if an older Australian population could adhere to a MedDiet for six months. We conducted a randomised, parallel dietary intervention trial with two dietary arms: the Mediterranean diet (Med...

Background: The consumption of a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. However, its impact on blood pressure and endothelial function is not clear. Objective: We sought to determine the effects of adhering to the consumption of a MedDiet for 6 mo on blood pressure and endothelial function in older,...

The Mediterranean diet has demonstrated efficacy for improving cardiovascular and cognitive health. However, a traditional Mediterranean diet delivers fewer serves of dairy and less dietary calcium than is currently recommended in Australia, which may limit long-term sustainability. The present study aims to evaluate whether a Mediterranean diet wi...

Inflammation is thought to be an underlying pathophysiological cause of a range of chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease (CVD). Diet is a modifiable risk factor for CVD and can influence the inflammatory process depending on the quality of the diet. Western diets, typically characterised by processed foods, red and processed meats, refi...

Evidence from a limited number of randomised controlled intervention trials (RCTs) have shown that a Mediterranean dietary pattern may reduce the risk of cognitive decline and enhance cognitive function among healthy older adults. However, there are currently no data in non-Mediterranean older adult populations. The present study aimed to address t...

Objectives: The primary aims of this review were to identify studies investigating the association between the MedDiet pattern and age-related cognitive function, to determine the current status of knowledge, and to ascertain whether a lack of standardization with the operationalization of age-related cognitive function and differences in the chos...

Despite evidence for the benefits of higher-protein (HP) diets in weight loss, their role in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) management and weight maintenance is not clear. This randomised study compared the effects of a HP diet (38% carbohydrate, 30% protein, 29% fat) to a isocaloric higher-carbohydrate diet (HC: 53%:21%:23%) on cardiometabolic ri...

The MedLey study aimed to assess the impact of adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) for six months on cardiometabolic health indicators in a population of older Australian adults. We recruited 166 healthy male and female (57% female) adults aged 65 years or older. Volunteers were randomly allocated (stratified on gender, age and BMI) into...

The Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), reported to have cardiovascular health benefits, consists of a variety of foods including fruit and vegetables, wholegrain cereals, legumes, nuts, red wine, olive oil, fish, poultry and red meat delivering valuable nutrients like fibre, vitamins, minerals, omega‐3 fatty acids and polyphenols. We sought to evaluate...

Background The Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is associated with considerable health benefits for cardiovascular and cognitive health, particularly within the Mediterranean basin. Whether Australian populations will similarly benefit from the MedDiet is unknown. We aim to assess the effects of a MedDiet on cognitive and cardiovascular health indicato...

Background Consumption of a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is associated with several significant health benefits, however most evidence comes from Mediterranean countries, where the diet may be more culturally acceptable. Whether older Australians can adhere to a traditional MedDiet is unknown. We aimed to test the feasibility of elderly Australians...

Background: Hypocaloric low-fat diets, high in protein with moderate carbohydrate (HP) can enhance weight loss, improve glycaemic control and improve cardiometabolic health risk factors in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, it is unclear whether the metabolic benefits observed during weight loss are sustained during energy-balance and weigh...

The rise in the ageing population has resulted in increased incident rates of cognitive impairment and dementia. The subsequent financial and societal burden placed on an already strained public health care system is of increasing concern. Evidence from recent studies has revealed modification of lifestyle and dietary behaviours is, at present, the...

Numerous studies over several decades suggest that following the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer, and improve cognitive health. However, there are inconsistencies among methods used for evaluating and defining the MedDiet. Through a review of the literature, we aimed to quantitatively define the...

The incidence of age-related cognitive decline is rising considerably around the world. There is evidence from a number of recent cross-sectional and prospective studies indicating positive associations between the Mediterranean dietary pattern (MedDiet) and improved cognitive outcomes among the elderly including, reduced age-related cognitive decl...

Objective To compare the effects of a higher‐protein (HP) diet and a higher‐carbohydrate (HC) diet on cardiometabolic risk factors in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in phases of weight loss and weight maintenance. Methods Overweight/obese adults (n = 61, BMI 33.5 ± 4.8kgm ² , aged 37 – 67 years) with T2DM were randomized to a hypocaloric HP diet (38% carb...

As the Australian population ages, cognitive decline is becoming a major health care burden, both socially and financially. Cognitive health is related to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health and with limited pharmacological treatments for cognitive decline, diet and lifestyle interventions become the cornerstone treatment for improving cognit...

In recent times, the dominance of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and dementia as major contributors to an unprecedented increase in global mortality and morbidity in elderly populations, has assumed a new level of importance among political, medical and scientific communities worldwide. Recently, the Mediterranean dietary pattern (MedDiet), rich in h...

Epidemiological evidence of an inverse association between consumption of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFA) and obesity has been conflicting, even though studies in animal models of obesity and limited human trials suggest that LC n-3 PUFA consumption may contribute to weight loss. We used baseline data from a convenience...

Pork is the most widely eaten meat in the world and recent evidence shows that diets high in pork protein, with and without energy restriction, may have favourable effects on body composition. However, it is unclear whether these effects on body composition are specific to pork or whether consumption of other high protein meat diets may have the sa...

The Australasian section of the American Oil Chemists Society (AAOCS) held their biennial meeting in Newcastle, Australia from 6 to 8 November, 2013. Over 150 scientists, researchers and industry representatives gathered for three days of talks and discussions on a variety of lipid related topics. The AAOCS awarded its inaugural AAOCS Award for Sci...

Protocol for Systematic Review. Registered with PROSPERO PROSPERO 2013:CRD42013006568 Available from http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO_REBRANDING/display_record.asp?ID=CRD42013006568

A number of intervention studies have reported that the prevalence of obesity may be in part inversely related to dairy food consumption while others report no association. We sought to examine relationships between energy, protein and calcium consumption from dairy foods (milk, yoghurt, cheese, dairy spreads, ice-cream) and adiposity including bod...

Antioxidant compounds, contained in fruit, vegetables and tea, have been postulated to have a protective effect against age-related cognitive decline by combating oxidative stress. However, recent research on this subject has been conflicting. The aim of this systematic review was to consider current epidemiological and longitudinal evidence for an...

Given the reported health benefits of a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and delay in cognitive decline, we aimed to determine the level of adherence to a MedDiet using an 11-point scale and examine relationships with cognitive function and psychological well-being. Cross-sectional analyses were undertaken on data from 1183 Australian adults, aged 40-6...

A Mediterranean diet is reported to promote longevity, reduce mortality, and may improve cognition. In a retrospective cross sectional study with 1183 Australians, aged 40–65 years, we examined relationships with Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) adherence and self‐reported cognitive function and psychological well‐being. Dietary data were collected fro...

There are many challenges involved in running randomised controlled dietary intervention trials that investigate health outcomes. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the recruitment process, retention of participants and challenges faced in our dairy intervention trial, and to provide strategies to combat the difficulties of running long-term die...

High protein meat-based diets are commonly promoted for weight loss, supposedly by increasing satiety and energy expenditure. Pork is a good source of protein however little information on the metabolic effects of pork consumption exists. This pilot study aimed to examine whether regular consumption of fresh lean pork could improve body composition...

All individuals will experience some degree of cognitive impairment in their later years. Diet is one readily modifiable factor that may influence cognitive function and psychological well-being. Very little research has considered the potential role of dairy foods in modulating cognitive and psychological functions. The objective of this study was...

A growing body of research suggests that regular consumption of dairy foods may counteract obesity and other components of the metabolic syndrome. However, human intervention trials are lacking. We aimed to determine the cardiometabolic health effects of increasing the consumption of reduced fat dairy foods in adults with habitually low dairy intak...

Obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance have been associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment or dementia. Together, these risk factors cluster as metabolic syndrome (MetS). The first aim of this systematic review was to identify and critically review studies assessing associations between MetS and cognition, with...

Extracts from oat (Avena sativa) herb may benefit cognitive performance. This study investigated whether Neuravena(®), an oat herb extract, could acutely improve responses to the Stroop Color-Word test, a measure of attention and concentration and the ability to maintain task focus. Elderly volunteers with below-average cognitive performance consum...

A growing body of observational research suggests that dairy consumption may have a beneficial effect on the metabolic syndrome (MetS). MetS is a clustering of cardiometabolic risk factors within an individual that carries with it an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. A systematic search of electronic databases identified cross-se...

Diet is a modifiable factor that could be targeted as an appropriate intervention to optimise cognitive health and well-being in ageing. The aim of this systematic review was to consider current evidence for an association between dairy intake and cognitive functioning. Searches of the electronic databases Medline, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, a...

Consumption of low fat dairy foods may decrease the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and all cardiovascular risk factors linked with increased probability of cognitive impairment. To examine associations between dairy intake and self-reported cognitive function and psychological well-being, and to test the novel hypothesis that dairy...

To evaluate the potential for a mixture of policosanol extracted from sunflower oil (SFP) to lower blood cholesterol levels in comparison to sugar cane policosanol (SCP) in rabbits. Twenty three Semi-lop rabbits were blocked into three groups matched on fasting plasma cholesterol levels then randomly assigned to one of three parallel treatment arms...

Omega-3 fatty acids (n-3) can improve cardiovascular (CV) function. This study examined the effects of n-3 on endurance performance, recovery and CV risk factors in elite Australian Rules football players. 25 players were randomised, double-blind, to 6 g/day of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-rich fish oil (FO; n=12) or sunflower oil (SO; n=13) during 5...