Diabetes researcher receives grant for research into hormone-related diseases
Postdoc Mariavittoria d'Acierno from the Department of Biomedicine is one of 16 grant recipients supported by the Danish Diabetes and Endocrine Academy (DDEA) with a total pool of just over DKK 10 million. She receives DKK 1.2 million for her research into hormone-related diseases.
Current research indicates that Western dietary habits are a significant cause of high blood pressure. While high salt intake is a major trigger, research shows that a lack of potassium in the diet also plays a major role in high blood pressure.
Many people with high blood pressure also have bone and skeletal problems such as osteoporosis. This could indicate that the mechanisms that modulate blood pressure also regulate bone mineralisation, and that increased potassium intake may be an inexpensive and effective mechanism to lower blood pressure, for example.
In her research project, Postdoc Mariavittoria d'Acierno will examine the consequences of increased potassium in the diet for bone and cardiovascular health, as well as diabetes. The grant of DKK 1.2 million from the DDEA will fund her two-year postdoc programme.
This coverage is based on press material from the DDEA.
Contact
Postdoc and PhD Mariavittoria d'Acierno
Aarhus University, Department of Biomedicine
Mobile: + 45 52 61 89 11
Email: mariavittoria.dacierno@biomed.au.dk