Megan Rossi

Megan Rossi
King's College London | KCL · Department of Nutritional Sciences

PhD, BHSc (Nutrition & Dietetics) Hon1, APD

About

68
Publications
22,086
Reads
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3,889
Citations
Introduction
Dr Megan Rossi has a broad range of nutrition experience having worked as a clinical dietitian; as a sports nutritionist for the Australia Olympic Synchronised Swimming team; and as a consultant dietitian for Boeing Australia and Dietitians Association of Australia. Megan is currently working as a Research Associate investigating nutrition-based therapies for the treatment of IBS. Megan's career goal is to build the evidence around synbiotic therapy and extend dietetics' scope of practice.
Additional affiliations
January 2010 - May 2015
Princess Alexandra Hospital (Queensland Health)
Position
  • Research & Clinical Dietitian
September 2013 - April 2015
Princess Alexandra Hospital (Queensland Health)
Position
  • Primary supervisor for dietetic student research projects
Description
  • Topics: Investigating the prevalence of phosphorus additives in the Australian food supply.
Position
  • International Dietetic and Nutrition Terminology (IDNT) webinar Consultant
Education
October 2011 - March 2015
University of Queensland
Field of study
  • Schoole of Medicine
February 2006 - November 2009
Queensland University of Technology
Field of study
  • Nutrition and Dietetics

Publications

Publications (68)
Article
Full-text available
Increasing evidence suggests a microbial pathogenesis in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) but the relationship remains elusive. Fecal DNA samples from 120 patients with IBS, 82 Mexican (IBS-C: n = 33, IBS-D: n = 24, IBS-M: n = 25) and 38 British (IBS-C: n = 6, IBS-D: n = 27, IBS-M: n = 5), were available for analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. F...
Article
Full-text available
Background The low FODMAP diet (LFD) leads to clinical response in 50%–80% of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It is unclear why only some patients respond. Aims To determine if differences in baseline faecal microbiota or faecal and urine metabolite profiles may separate clinical responders to the diet from non‐responders allowing pr...
Article
Full-text available
Background: Almonds contain lipid, fiber and polyphenols and possess physicochemical properties that impact nutrient bioaccessibility, which are hypothesized to impact gut physiology and microbiota. Objectives: Investigate the impact of whole almonds and ground almonds (almond flour) on fecal bifidobacteria (primary outcome), gut microbiota comp...
Article
Full-text available
The human microbiota functions at the interface between diet, medication-use, lifestyle, host immune development and health; thus it is aligned closely with many of the recognised modifiable factors that influence bone mass accrual in the young, and bone maintenance and skeletal decline in older populations. While understanding of the relationship...
Article
Full-text available
Background Short‐term trials demonstrate the low FODMAP diet improves symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) but impacts nutrient intake and the gastrointestinal microbiota. The aim of this study was to investigate clinical symptoms, nutrient intake, and microbiota of patients with IBS 12 months after starting a low FODMAP diet. Methods Partic...
Article
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Objective Health-promoting dietary fibre including inulin often triggers gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with IBS, limiting their intake. Our aim was to test if coadministering psyllium with inulin would reduce gas production. Design A randomised, four-period, four-treatment, placebo-controlled, crossover trial in 19 patients with IBS. Subje...
Conference Paper
Introduction Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) often develop symptoms of gas and flatulence after intake of the prebiotic inulin, leading to dietary avoidance that may have deleterious effects on gut microbiota. Our aim was to determine if co-administering inulin with psyllium, a viscous virtually non-fermentable fibre, known to improve...
Article
The global burden of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has increased over the 21 st century. Despite multiple studies investigating the pathogenesis of IBD, the causative mechanisms pertaining to the increased prevalence remain unclear. There is growing evidence that aspects of a ‘Western diet’ increase the risk of developing IBD. More recently, evi...
Article
Epidemiological studies have consistently demonstrated the benefits of dietary fibre on gastrointestinal health through consumption of unrefined whole foods, such as wholegrains, legumes, vegetables and fruits. Mechanistic studies and clinical trials on isolated and extracted fibres have demonstrated promising regulatory effects on the gut (for exa...
Article
Full-text available
Background Clinical guidelines provide limited and conflicting recommendations regarding dietary fiber supplementation in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Nopal (Opuntia ficus‐indica) is a cactus plant fiber containing both insoluble and soluble fibers that may have therapeutic potential in IBS. Our aim was to evaluate the dose–response effect of ex...
Article
Full-text available
There is an association between food additive emulsifiers and the prevalence of Crohn's disease. This study aimed to investigate: (i) the effect of different classes of emulsifiers on markers of intestinal inflammation in mice and (ii) the feasibility, nutritional adequacy and symptom impact of restricting all emulsifier classes in Crohn's disease....
Article
Food additive intakes have increased with the increase in "ultra-processed" food consumption. Food additive emulsifiers have received particular research attention in recent years due to preliminary evidence of adverse gastrointestinal and metabolic health effects. In this review, the use of emulsifiers as food additives is discussed, and the curre...
Article
Background: Wheat bran, nopal, and psyllium are examples of particulate, viscous and particulate, and viscous fibers, respectively, with laxative properties yet contrasting fermentability. Objectives: We assessed the fermentability of these fibers in vitro and their effects on intestinal function relevant to laxation in vivo using MRI. Methods:...
Article
Introduction: The low FODMAP diet (LFD) reduces symptoms and bifidobacteria in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). β-galactooligosaccharides (B-GOS) may reduce the symptoms and increase bifidobacteria in IBS. We investigated whether B-GOS supplementation alongside the LFD improves IBS symptoms while preventing the decline in bifidobacteria. Methods:...
Article
Full-text available
Low FODMAP diet & prebiotic β-galactooligosaccharides improve irritable bowel syndrome and response to low FODMAP is predicted by urine and faecal metabolites: a randomised controlled trial - Volume 79 Issue OCE1 - B. Wilson, M. Rossi, T. Kanno, R. Hough, C. Probert, G. Parkes, S. Anderson, P. Irving, A.J. Mason, M.C. Lomer, K. Whelan
Article
Food additive emulsifier restriction is feasible in people with Crohn's disease - Volume 79 Issue OCE1 - Alicia Sandall, Selina Cox, James O Lindsay, Megan Rossi, Kevin Whelan
Article
Full-text available
Fibre from nopal cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) improves symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome in the short term: a pilot randomised-controlled trial - Volume 79 Issue OCE1 - M. Rossi, H.A. Taboada-Liceaga, S. Gill, M. Amieva-Balmori, G.A. Hernández-Ramírez, J.F. Garcia-Mazcorro, K. Whelan, J.M. Remes-Troche
Article
Prebiotic β-galacto-oligosaccharide impact on clinical, inflammatory and microbiota outcomes in active ulcerative colitis: an open-label study - Volume 79 Issue OCE1 - B. Wilson, M. Rossi, O. Eyice, M. C. Lomer, P. M. Irving, J. O. Lindsay, K. Whelan
Article
Full-text available
Fermented foods are defined as foods or beverages produced through controlled microbial growth, and the conversion of food components through enzymatic action. In recent years, fermented foods have undergone a surge in popularity, mainly due to their proposed health benefits. The aim of this review is to define and characterise common fermented foo...
Article
Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other functional bowel disorders (FBDs) are prevalent disorders with altered microbiota. Prebiotics positively augment gut microbiota and may offer therapeutic potential. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of prebiotics compared with placebo on global response, gastroint...
Conference Paper
Introduction Prebiotic β-galactooligosaccharides (B-GOS) may counteract the microbiome modifying effect of the low FODMAP diet (LFD) in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Faecal metabolites may predict why only some patients respond to the LFD paving the way towards more personalised treatment.The aim of this randomised controlled trial...
Article
Full-text available
Background: Dysfunction of the gut microbiota is frequently reported as a manifestation of chronic diseases, and therefore presents as a modifiable risk factor in their development. Diet is a major regulator of the gut microbiota and certain types of dietary fiber may modify bacterial numbers and metabolism, including short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)...
Article
Prebiotic B-Galacto-oligasaccharide supplementation of the low FODMAP diet improves symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome but does not prevent diet induced decline in bifidobacteria: a randomised controlled trial - Volume 76 Issue OCE4 - B. Wilson, M. Rossi, G. Parkes, Q. Aziz, S. Anderson, P. Irving, M. Lomer, K. Whelan
Article
Volatile organic compounds predict response to both low FODMAP diet and probiotics in irritable bowel syndrome: a randomised controlled trial - Volume 76 Issue OCE4 - M. Rossi, R. Aggio, H. Staudacher, M. Lomer, J.O. Lindsay, P. Irving, C. Probert, K. Whelan
Article
Background & aims: Dietary interventions are effective in management of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), although responses vary. We investigated whether fecal levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) associate with response to dietary interventions in patients with IBS. Methods: Adults who fulfilled the Rome III criteria for IBS...
Article
Purpose of review: The aim is to review the most recent advances in the evidence supporting the use of various dietary interventions for the management of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Recent findings: There is insufficient evidence of the effect of fibres other than psyllium in IBS, whereas the recent studies on prebiotics suggest a limited e...
Conference Paper
Introduction Dietary restriction of fermentable oligo-, di-, mono -saccharides and polyols (low FODMAP diet, LFD) is widely used for the management of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), however it reduces gastrointestinal (GI) bifidobacteria. B-galacto-oligosaccharide (B-GOS; HOST-G904) are prebiotics that reduce symptoms and increase bifidobacteria i...
Conference Paper
Introduction Dietary intervention is an effective therapy for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), with restriction of fermentable carbohydrates (low FODMAP diet, LFD) and microbial therapies such as probiotics showing efficacy in clinical trials. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a non-invasive diagnostic model using faecal volatile orga...
Article
People with kidney disease are advised to restrict individual nutrients, such as sodium, potassium, and phosphate, in line with current best practice guidelines. However, there is limited evidence to support the efficacy of single nutrient strategies, and compliance remains a challenge for clinicians to overcome. Many factors contribute to poor com...
Chapter
Nutritional management is a significant part of care for patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment. The main goals are to optimize nutritional status, including prevention and treatment of protein-energy wasting (PEW), correction of nutrient deficiency, and management of electrolyte and fluid balance. This chapter will address the range of factors...
Article
Dietary restriction of fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAPs) is an effective management approach for functional bowel disorders; however, its application is limited by the paucity of food composition data available for ethnic minority groups. The aim was to identify and measure the FODMAP content of thes...
Article
Full-text available
Background and aims: The elevated cardiovascular (CVD) risk observed in chronic kidney disease (CKD) may be partially alleviated through diet. While protein intake may link to CVD events in this patient population, dietary fiber has shown cardioprotective associations. Nutrients are not consumed in isolation; we hypothesize that CVD events in CKD...
Article
Background and objectives: The generation of key uremic nephrovascular toxins, indoxyl sulfate (IS), and p-cresyl sulfate (PCS), is attributed to the dysbiotic gut microbiota in CKD. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether synbiotic (pre- and probiotic) therapy alters the gut microbiota and reduces serum concentrations of microbiome-generated...
Article
Full-text available
Background: Global longitudinal strain (GLS) has emerged as a superior method for detecting left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction compared to ejection fraction (EF) on the basis that it is less operator dependent and more reproducible. The 2-dimensional strain (2DS) method is easily measured and integrated into a standard echocardiogram. This...
Article
Phosphorus-based food additives may pose a significant risk in chronic kidney disease given the link between hyperphosphatemia and cardiovascular disease. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of phosphorus-based food additives in best-selling processed grocery products and to establish how they were reported on food labels. A...
Article
Indoxyl sulfate (IS) and p-cresyl sulfate (PCS) are uremic toxins derived solely from colonic bacterial fermentation of protein. Dietary fiber may counteract this by limiting proteolytic bacterial fermentation. However, the influence of dietary intake on the generation of IS and PCS has not been adequately explored in chronic kidney disease (CKD)....
Article
There is increasing clinical evidence that patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a distinctly dysbiotic intestinal bacterial community, termed the gut microbiota, which in turn drives a cascade of metabolic abnormalities, including uremic toxin production, inflammation, and immunosuppression, that ultimately promotes progressive kidney fa...
Article
Objectives: Patients with chronic kidney disease have impaired muscle metabolism, resulting in muscle atrophy. Oxidative stress has previously been identified as a significant contributor to muscle atrophy in other populations, but the contribution in chronic kidney disease is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the association betwe...
Article
Full-text available
Dietary modification has long been considered a modifiable risk factor for the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and a key management strategy in end-stage kidney disease. This review will focus on the history of the reoccurring focus on dietary components of salt and protein, as well as the impact of consumer behaviour moving towards con...
Article
Background and aims There is a growing body of evidence supporting the nephrovascular toxicity of indoxyl sulphate (IS) and p-cresyl sulphate (PCS). Nonetheless, a comprehensive description of how these toxins accumulate over the course of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is lacking. Methods and results This cross-sectional observational study include...
Article
Full-text available
Background: Emerging evidence suggests modulating the microbiota in the large bowel of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) through pre- and/probiotic supplementation may inhibit the development of key nephrovascular toxins. To date, quality intervention trials investigating this novel treatment in CKD are lacking. The aim of SYNERGY is to a...
Article
Indoxyl sulfate (IS) and p-cresyl sulfate (PCS) are nephro- and cardiovascular toxins, produced solely by the gut microbiota, which have pro-inflammatory and pro-oxidative properties in vitro. We undertook this study to investigate the associations between IS and PCS and both inflammation and oxidative stress in the chronic kidney disease (CKD) pop...
Article
Emerging evidence suggests that uremic toxins, in particular indoxyl sulfate (IS) and p-cresyl sulfate (PCS), may be involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. Despite a significant increase in IS and PCS in patients with established kidney damage, the effect of a nephrectomy in non-chronic kidney disease patients is not yet known. For...
Article
There is little doubt surrounding the benefits of the Nutrition Care Process and International Dietetics and Nutrition Terminology (IDNT) to dietetics practice; however, evidence to support the most efficient method of incorporating these into practice is lacking. The main objective of our study was to compare the efficiency and effectiveness of an...
Article
Full-text available
Introduction: The uremic toxins indoxyl sulphate (IS) and p-cresyl sulphate (pCS) are absorbed bacterial metabolites of tryptophan and tyrosine respectively and may be predictive of clinical outcome. Long chromatography times, incomplete data on the reference ranges of the free and total fractions and the biological variation limit wider clinical...
Article
Full-text available
Objective. This paper assessed the effectiveness of pre-, pro-, and synbiotics on reducing two protein-bound uremic toxins, p-cresyl sulphate (PCS) and indoxyl sulphate (IS). Methods. English language studies reporting serum, urinary, or fecal PCS and/or IS (or their precursors) following pre-, pro-, or synbiotic interventions (>1 day) in human adu...
Article
Full-text available
To assess the impact of the implementation of an information technology system using standardized language (International Dietetic and Nutrition Terminology, IDNT) on efficiency and patient outcomes. This was a longitudinal study of hemodialysis patients (≥18 years, ≥3 months dialysis vintage) at a single facility. During the first 6 month period (...
Article
Full-text available
This review evaluated the effectiveness of pre-, pro- and synbiotics on reducing a nephro-vascular uremic toxin, indoxyl sulphate (IS), involved in cardiovascular disease in chronic kidney disease. A review of the literature using Cochrane, PUBMED, EMBASE and CINAHL was conducted from 1951 to 2011 (inclusive). Studies were included if they reported...
Article
Aim: The objective of this review was to assess the effectiveness of diet interventions for improving disease severity in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. A secondary aim was to identify the effectiveness of different methods of dietetic service delivery for achieving weight reduction in this patient group. Methods: A review of studies from 1999...
Article
KL (2011).Nutrition during a natural disaster for people with end-stage kidney disease. Abstract Preparation and communication are key to ensuring the safety of dialysis patients when natural disasters strike. This paper recounts the Cyclone Yasi experience that hit Queensland in February 2011, with particular focus on the many nutritional challeng...

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