Keenan Research Centre
Scientist Profiles
Vladimir Vuksan
B.Sc. (biochemistry and food technology), University of Zagreb, Croatia; M.Sc. (nutrition and biochemistry), University of Zagreb, Croatia; PhD (nutrition and medicine), University of Zagreb, Croatia; Postdoctoral Fellowship (nutrition and medicine), University of Toronto
Affiliations
Research Scientist in the Keenan Research Centre of the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael's Hospital
Professor, Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
Professor, Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, St. Michael's Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, University of Toronto
Associate Director of Clinical Trials, Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Centre, Division of Endocrinology, St. Michael's Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
Clinical Specialty
Diabetes, hypertension and heart disease
Research Interests
Clinical nutrition trials, glycemic index, alternative and complementary medicine, medicinal herbs, whole grain, oily seeds, dietary fibre
Research Activities
The research teams’ focus at the Risk Factor Modification Center (RFMC) lies in the area of complementary and alternative therapies, with the goal to develop novel approaches to aid in treatment of chronic diseases. Specifically, the research has intensively studied special types of dietary fibre, whole grain, and ancient oily-seed, traditionally used medicinal plants as potential alternative and complementary therapies in the prevention and treatment of diabetes and heart disease.
In addition, translational approach at the RFMC clinic constitutes an important aspect of the research paradigms with the aim of taking the research finding from bench top all the way to the consumer.
Dr. Vuksan plans trials, including international multicenter trials are ongoing to generate evidence to help in the prevention and treatment of diabetes and heart disease.
Declaration of some Duality of Interests:
Dr. Vuksan holds the Canadian (2,410,556) and American (7,326.404) patent on medical use of viscous fiber blend for reducing Blood Glucose for treatment of diabetes, increasing insulin sensitivity, reduction of SBP, and blood lipids
Dr Vuksan is Vice president and part owner of Glycemic Index Laboratories, Inc a clinical research organization
Dr. Vuksan has received research support, as in-kind donation of Chia (in 2000) and Salba TM (2001, 2009) seeds and partial grant funding from companies who grow and distribute these products. Dr. Vuksan also filed Canadian and American patent applications for the medicinal use of Salvia Hispanica L. seeds, for the two products that he studied in 2000/2001. The patents have since been abandoned.