List of resolutions: focus on my health; try something new; help improve the health of others; try new food and drinks

Have you made your resolutions for 2023 yet?

If you are looking to try something new for 2023 whilst making a difference to your and other people’s health, sign up for one of HVN’s clinical studies.

SYNERGY: A residential nutrition study for diabetes prevention

Are you concerned about your diabetes risk?

The SYNERGY study is looking for Chinese and European Caucasian volunteers for a two-week ‘live-in’ study.

  • Stay in Mt Eden at Australasia’s only residential nutritional trials facility
  • All meals and snacks prepared by a metabolic chef
  • Go to work, classes, visit friends and family as usual during the day
  • Help us discover whether the foods you eat alter circulating blood markers associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes
  • Receive vouchers for your time

“We know that 1 in 4 New Zealanders have pre-diabetes, and many people aren’t aware they do. Volunteers don’t need to know if they have high blood-sugar levels to sign up for the study – we can test that for you.”

Study location: Auckland

He Rourou Whai Painga: Aotearoa’s own wellbeing diet

The He Rourou Whai Painga research team is conducting a study looking at improving the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders and their whānau with a healthy eating plan.

We’ll provide the food for you and your whānau for 3 months and check up on you over the course of a year to see how you’re getting on.

Are you:

  • Aged 18-70 years
  • Overweight and/or have high cholesterol
  • Living with household/whānau members who are also happy to follow this healthy eating plan
  • Willing to attend 5-6 visits at the research centre

Study locations: Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch

FERDINAND: A weight loss study for diabetes prevention

Would you like to lose weight? Are you concerned about your diabetes risk?

FERDINAND is a weight loss and diabetes prevention study looking at whether feijoa powder can lower your risk of diabetes.

  • We expect you will lose 5–10% of your initial body weight in the weight-loss phase
  • Receive 2 months of meal replacements
  • Advice and support from a registered dietitian
  • Receive lots of information about your health, including
    • Blood tests, especially your circulating blood glucose levels
    • Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) body composition scan that measures body fat, lean mass and bone density
    • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, for those who choose to have this done
  • You will be compensated for your time and travel

Study location: Auckland

The SUN Study: Can baby’s first foods shape gut health and immunity?

Is your pēpē starting solids soon?

Researchers from the SUN Study are looking for Auckland babies and their caregivers for a complementary feeding study investigating the potential health benefits of kūmara with naturally enhanced prebiotic properties.

“It’s rewarding to help the researchers learn how to give kids a great start in life. My son was in an intervention group and loved the kumara – his face lit up when a sachet was opened each day.” Liv, SUN study participant.

Study location: Auckland

SOOTHE: Could mānuka honey soothe indigestion?

The SOOTHE study are looking for people with functional dyspepsia (indigestion) to take part in a study on the digestive health effects of mānuka honey.

  • 18–70 years old and experience symptoms of functional dyspepsia (indigestion)
  • Can eat mānuka honey
  • Do not have diabetes or cardiovascular disease, and are not pregnant or lactating
  • Receive up to $220 in supermarket vouchers for the 10-week study

Study location: Dunedin

YUMMI: Investigating the health effects of consuming different types of milk

The YUMMI study team are looking for volunteers for a 12-week study on the effects of daily consumption of cow, goat or sheep milk on nutrition and digestive comfort in older women.

  • Healthy female volunteers aged 60–80 years
  • BMI of less than 30
  • Can drink milk
  • Receive up to $200 in recognition of your time and support

Study location: Dunedin