Translational Science Grand Rounds: "New Human Biology of HDL – Connecting Epidemiology and Metabolism"

Translational Science Grand Rounds & Tulane University Obesity Research Center Special Seminar

New Human Biology of HDL – Connecting Epidemiology and Metabolism

Presented by Frank Sacks, MD (Professor of Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Professor of Medicine; Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Brigham and Women's Hospital)

Dr. Sacks is Professor of Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in the Nutrition Department of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Sacks led the panel that designed the DASH Study, which crafted a healthful eating pattern and demonstrated that it lowered blood pressure more effectively than any previous dietary treatment.  Subsequently Dr. Sacks led the DASH-Sodium study, which determined the dose-response effect of dietary sodium on BP. These multi-center National Heart Lung and Blood Institute trials found major beneficial additive effects of low salt and a dietary pattern rich in fruits and vegetables on blood pressure. He also led the landmark PoundsLost trial which showed the effectiveness of several healthy diets with differing fat, carbohydrate and protein content on long term weight loss. Currently, he is studying the role of diet to prevent cognitive decline in aging. His laboratory studies human HDL metabolism and subspeciation. Dr. Sacks received the 2011 Research Achievement Award of the American Heart Associate for lifetime research accomplishment.