Heather Blewett, PhD

Image Heather Blewett
Research Scientist
  • Design and conduct scientific research as it relates to the influence of food on human health and metabolism.

  • Document scientific productivity/recognition in the form of authorship/editorship of research results in recognized journals and/or published reports, books, papers, or other communications.

  • Write grant applications to secure funding for research program.

  • Manage human resources and budgets.

  • Interact with industry and other stakeholders to garner support and research direction.

Current research and/or projects

  • Investigating whether de-hulled flaxseed maintains the concentration of health promoting bioactives while sufficiently reducing the concentrations of anti-nutrients found in whole ground flaxseed. (Project lead= Heather Blewett).
  • A randomized, controlled, cross-over trial examining the effect of yellow pea flour in bread on post-prandial glycaemic response in health adults. (Project lead= Heather Blewett).
  • Eastern Prairie Living Labs -Management practices for annual crops that increase efficiency of nutrient use and reduce losses to air and water (Role =detection, enumeration and viability assessment of microbial communities in soil using flow cytometry).

Research and/or project statements

  • The research program supports the agri-food sector through improving the competitiveness and adaptability of the agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products and generating new knowledge, fostering innovation and increasing adoption and commercialization of agricultural, agri-food and agri-based products, processes or practices.

Professional activities / interests

  • My research expertise is centered on nutrition & immunology.
  • I have been leading clinical trials with the ultimate goal of filling the gaps in the scientific literature to substantiate health claims for Canadian food products.  Examples of health claims I have worked on include LDL cholesterol lowering, reduction in post-prandial glycaemic response and increased satiety.  I have an interest in exploring the reduction in incidence, duration and severity of the common cold as well as prebiotic claims.
  • I have been exploring the effect of Canadian food products on immune function in the context of chronic disease (ie. cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity).

Education and awards

  • 2009/2-2011/4: Post-doctorate, Clinical trials & vascular function, St. Boniface Hosptial Research Centre.
  • 2006/5-2008/12: Post-doctorate, Nutritional immunology, University of Alberta.
  • 1999/9-2007/2: Doctor of Philosophy, Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Manitoba.
  • 2005/9-2006/10: Certification in Higher Education Teaching, University of Manitoba.
  • 1995/9-1999/5: B.Sc. (Hons.) Foods and Nutrition, University of Manitoba.

Key publications

  1. Padhi, E., Ramdath, D.D., Carson, S.J., Hawke, A., Blewett, H.J., Wolever, T.M.S., Vella, D., Seetharaman, K., Duizer, L.M., and Duncan, A.M. (2015). "Liking of soy flour muffins over time and the impact of a health claim on willingness to consume.", Food Research International, 77(Part 3), pp. 491-497. doi : 10.1016/j.foodres.2015.09.006

    2015 - View publication details

  2. Ames, N., Blewett, H., Storsley, J., Thandapilly, S.J., Zahradka, P., Taylor, C. (2015). A double-blind randomised controlled trial testing the effect of a barley product containing varying amounts and types of fibre on the postprandial glucose response of healthy volunteers. British Journal of Nutrition, [online] 113(9), 1373-1383. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0007114515000367

    2015 - View publication details

  3. Padhi, E.M.T., Blewett, H.J., Duncan, A.M., Guzman, R.P., Hawke, A., Seetharaman, K., Tsao, R., Wolever, T.M.S., Ramdath, D.D. (2015). Whole soy flour incorporated into a muffin and consumed at 2 doses of soy protein does not lower LDL cholesterol in a randomized, double-blind controlled trial of hypercholesterolemic adults. Journal of Nutrition, [online] 145(12), 2665-2674. http://dx.doi.org/10.3945/jn.115.219873

    2015 - View publication details

  4. Siow, Y.L., Brown, D.C.W., Blewett, H.J., Debnath, S.C., and Ross, K.A. (2014). Lingonberry: characterization and preserving an emerging bioresource for Canada. Project ID: 13-1129; Research Project Annual Report 2013-2014, AAFC Science and Technology Branch. (Report)

    2014 - View publication details

  5. Zahradka, P., Wright, B., Weighell, W., Blewett, H.J., Baldwin, A., O, K., Guzman, R.P., and Taylor, C.G. (2013). "Daily non-soy legume consumption reverses vascular impairment due to peripheral artery disease.", Atherosclerosis, 230(2), pp. 310-314. doi : 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2013.07.048

    2013 - View publication details

  6. Stringer, D.M., Taylor, C.G., Appahd, P., Blewett, H.J., and Zahradka, P. (2013). "Consumption of buckwheat modulates the post-prandial response of selected gastrointestinal satiety hormones in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus.", Metabolism, 62(7), pp. 1021-1031. doi : 10.1016/j.metabol.2013.01.021

    2013 - View publication details

  7. Baranowski, M., Enns, J.E., Blewett, H.J., Yakandawala, U., and Zahradka, P. (2012). "Dietary flaxseed oil reduces adipocyte size, adipose monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 levels and T-cell infiltration in obese, insulin-resistant rats.", Cytokine, 59(2), pp. 382-391. doi : 10.1016/j.cyto.2012.04.004

    2012 - View publication details

  8. Blewett, H.J. and Taylor, C.G. (2012). "Dietary Zinc Deficiency in Rodents: Effects on T-Cell Development, Maturation and Phenotypes.", Nutrients, 4(6), pp. 449-466. doi : 10.3390/nu4060449

    2012 - View publication details

  9. Ames, N.P., Blewett, H.J., Storsley, J., Zahradka, P., and Taylor, C.G. (2011). "Utilization of high fibre barley fractions in tortillas to reduce glycemic fractions in tortillas to reduce glycemic response in humans.", Cereal Foods World, 56(4, Suppl.), pp. A28. (Abstract)

    2011 - View publication details

  10. Blewett, H.J., Taylor, C.G., and Zahradka, P. (2011). "Daily intake of pulses lowered serum short-chain acylcarnitine levels in subjects with Peripheral Arterial Disease.", Experimental Biology 2011, Washington, DC, USA, April 9-13, 2011, Abstract #435.4. (Presentation)

    2011 - View publication details

  11. Ames, N.P., Blewett, H.J., Zahradka, P., and Taylor, C.G. (2010). "Investigating the role of high fibre barley ingredients on glycemic response and lipogenesis.", 49th Meeting of the Canadian Institute of Food Science & Technology (CIFST) and AAFC Conference: "Safe and Healthy Food: Harvesting the Science", Fairmont Winnipeg Hotel, Winnipeg, MB, Canada, May 30-June 1, 2010. (Presentation)

    2010 - View publication details

  12. Ames, N.P., Blewett, H.J., Harding, S., Zahradka, P., and Taylor, C.G. (2010). "Investigating the role of high fibre barley ingredients on glycemic response.", 2010 Canadian Institute of Food Science & Technology (CIFST) and AAFC Conference, Fairmont Winnipeg Hotel, Winnipeg, MB, Canada, May 30-June 1, 2010, # 05-5. (Abstract)

    2010 - View publication details

  13. Blewett, H.J. (2009). "Does a high dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) intake reduce blood glucose levels in pregnant women with gestational diabetes?", published in Practice-based Evidence in Nutrition (PEN), Practice question, Dietitians of Canada/Diétistes du Canada, Toronto, ON.

    2009 - View publication details

  14. Blewett, H.J. (2009). "Does the conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) content of a breastfeeding woman's diet affect the fat composition of her breastmilk?", published in Practice-based Evidence in Nutrition (PEN), Practice question, Dietitians of Canada/Diétistes du Canada, Toronto, ON.

    2009 - View publication details

  15. Blewett, H.J. (2009). "Does supplemental conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) or high dietary CLA intake reduce the risk of developing breast cancer, slow the progression or aid in treatment of existing breast cancer?", published in Practice-based Evidence in Nutrition (PEN), Practice question, Dietitians of Canada/Diétistes du Canada, Toronto, ON.

    2009 - View publication details

  16. Blewett, H.J. (2009). "Does supplemental conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) or high dietary CLA reduce body fat/body weight in people who are overweight/obese?", published in Practice-based Evidence in Nutrition (PEN), Practice question, Dietitians of Canada/Diétistes du Canada, Toronto, ON.

    2009 - View publication details

  17. Blewett, H.J. (2009). "Does the conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) content of the diet alter fetal development (length of gestation, birth weight and length)?", published in Practice-based Evidence in Nutrition (PEN), Practice question, Dietitians of Canada/Diétistes du Canada, Toronto, ON.

    2009 - View publication details

  18. Blewett, H.J. (2009). "Does supplemental conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) or high dietary CLA reduce the risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH)?", published in Practice-based Evidence in Nutrition (PEN), Practice question, Dietitians of Canada/Diétistes du Canada, Toronto, ON.

    2009 - View publication details

  19. Field, C.J., Blewett, H.J., (Blewett H.J., nee Hosea), Proctor, S.D., and Vine, D.F. (2009). "Human health benefits of vaccenic acid.", Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 34(5), pp. 979-991. doi : 10.1139/H09-079

    2009 - View publication details

  20. Blewett, H.J., Gerdung, C.A., Ruth, M.R., Proctor, S.D., and Field, C.J. (2009). "Vaccenic acid favorably alters immune function in obese JCR:LA-cp rats.", British Journal of Nutrition, 102(4), pp. 526-536. doi : 10.1017/S0007114509231722

    2009 - View publication details

Research facility

Route 100, Unit 100-101
Morden, MB R6M 1Y5
Canada

Affiliations

  • 2014/1: Associate Editor -Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism, Canadian Science Publishing.
  • 2014/1: Adjunct Professor -Physiology and Pathophysiology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba.
  • 2012/7: Adjunct Professor -Food and Human Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Manitoba.
  • 2011/5: Principal Investigator -Canadian Centre for Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine, St. Boniface Hospital Research Centre.

Language

English