Meet the passionate scientists driving the foundation and explore their latest findings on LCHF eating.

/Research & Teams

Research Projects

Here you can view all past, present, and future research projects conducted by The Noakes Foundation. All of our research is co-funded and accessible by the public.

At The Noakes Foundation, our research is guided by a set of key questions that we thought would highlight our intentions for and give everyone a clear idea of our vision and where we stand in the pursuit of a better, healthier world.

How do we correct the dietary errors of the past fifty years?

  • How do we determine the optimal diet for individuals?
  • How do we change individual eating and exercise patterns to prevent type 2 diabetes & minimise the effects of insulin resistance?
  • How can we help everyone eat better to feel better and live better lives?

Current Projects

Here are our current endeavours that require funding in order for us to complete research on these projects.

Behavioural and self-report measures of food choice in women who have taken part in a ...

Sofia Monteiro (PhD researcher), Dr James Smith,  Dr Kate Larmuth, Georgina Pujol-Busquets Guillén (PhD researcher)

Institutions: University of Cape Town (UCT), and Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods (MPI) Background and purpose Eat Better South Africa (EBSA), the community outreach branch of The Noakes Foundation aims to empower people from under-resourced communities to improve their health by making [...]

Technology-assisted behavioural interventions in type 2 diabetes

Sofia Monteiro (PhD researcher),  Dr Kate Larmuth, Dr. Jacolene Kroff, Prof. Daniel Wiesen, Prof. Matthias Sutter 

Institutions: University of Cape Town (UCT), University of Cologne, Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods (MPI) Researchers: Sofia Monteiro (PhD researcher),  Dr Kate Larmuth, Dr. Jacolene Kroff, Prof. Daniel Wiesen, Prof. Matthias Sutter  Background and purpose The burden of diabetes is a growing [...]

Online academic bullying

Dr Travis Noakes, Emeritus Professor Tim Noakes, Associate Professor Izak van Zyl, Associate Professor Pat Harpur, Dr Cleo Protogerou

Institution: Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) Background and Aim:   Online academic bullying is a serious problem that has yet be adequately defined. Our project seeks to prepare clear definitions for online academic bullying and mobbing that should prove useful for victims and policy [...]

The effects of a low-carbohydrate, high fat diet on diabetes related physiological ...

Emeritus Professor Tim Noakes, Dr James Smith, Dr Chris Webster, Dr Kate Larmuth

Institution: University of Cape Town Background: Low carbohydrate high fat (LCHF) diets are an effective means for people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) to improve glucose control and reduce medication use, however there are still many unanswered questions about the diet. For example, there is [...]

Effect of a low-carbohydrate nutrition education program on dietary choices and metabolic ...

Emeritus Professor Tim Noakes, Dr James Smith, Dr Kate Larmuth, Georgina Pujol-Busquet PhD Researcher

Institution: University of Cape Town Background: Overconsumption of sugar, refined carbohydrates and poor quality oils, increases the risk for developing chronic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Families from poor communities are often forced to eat these harmful nutrients due to [...]

Past Projects

Gluconeogenesis during endurance exercise in cyclists habituated to a long‐term low ...

Emeritus Professor Tim Noakes, Dr Christopher C. Webster, Proffesor Timothy D. Noakes, Dr  Shaji K. Chacko, Dr Jeroen Swart, Dr Tertius A. Kohn, Dr James A. H. Smith

Institution: University of Cape Town Abstract: Endogenous glucose production (EGP) occurs via hepatic glycogenolysis (GLY) and gluconeogenesis (GNG) and plays an important role in maintaining euglycaemia. Rates of GLY and GNG increase during exercise in athletes following a mixed macronutrient diet; however, these processes have [...]

Future Projects

Areas we hope to tackle and are looking for collaborators and researchers in are:

  • Reversal of hypertension in poor communities with adoption of sugar-free low carbohydrate diet
  • Data integration and collaboration of medical professionals to ascertain long term trends and outlooks of chronic disease patients
  • The treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease  *and other mental and neurological diseases through an LCHF diet and targeted fat supplementation
  • Indigenous foods and sustainable agricultural policies needed to de-colonise our food systems
  • Nutritional treatment of certain cancers
  • The role of the Exogenous ketones as, supplements and supplementation in athletic performance and targeted disease progression  
  • What would be the true effect on the economy and environment if everyone followed a low carbohydrate high fat diet?

Contact us to get involved!

Other Research Projects & Articles

What are the people in South African townships really eating?

Towards the end of last year, The Noakes Foundation facilitated research that was done by two undergraduate students from the Netherlands who wanted to study the perceptions around the dietary habits, as well as the [...]

The Ketogenic Diet and Depression

It is well known that a ketogenic diet is one of the oldest forms of medical treatment to control seizures in people with epilepsy. It has been comprehensively researched since the 1920s and has since [...]

Paleo vs a Ketogenic Lifestyle

  Differences between a Paleo and a Ketogenic lifestyle Since both Paleo and the Ketogenic diet are based on eating a low amount of carbs and burning fat more efficiently, you may question what the [...]

Mesothelioma Awareness Day – could an LCHF/Keto diet help?

  Mesothelioma Awareness Day - could an LCHF/Keto diet help? by Veronique Murphy   Today, September 26, is Mesothelioma Awareness Day. Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. According to [...]

World Alzheimer’s Day – Is Alzheimers Type 3 Diabetes?

Is Alzheimers Type 3 Diabetes? by Jonathan Mallory   Staring endlessly at a blank screen, waiting restlessly for the words that once flowed so smoothly. Straining with great effort to communicate clearly, wading through an [...]

Heartburn, Reflux, GERD – a LCHF approach?

  Heartburn, Reflux, GERD – a LCHF approach? by Veronique Murphy   When you eat food, it travels down the oesophagus, through the lower oesophageal sphincter, and into the stomach. The lower oesophageal sphincter is [...]

The Economic Aspects of Healthy Eating

What concerns the majority: the economic aspects of a healthy diet by Georgina Pujol-Busquets Guillén   Eating healthy isn’t always easy, but committing to a healthy diet can be one of the smartest decisions you [...]

Our Research Team

These scientists have joined an international health revolution by working to show the effects of LCHF on general health and wellbeing.

 Emeritus Professor Tim Noakes

Dr Hassina Kajee
Dr Hassina Kajee

Dr Jamie Smith
Dr Jamie Smith


Dr Kate Larmuth


Dr Travis Noakes

Christopher Webster
Christopher Webster


Georgina Pujol-Busquets Guillén

Tamzyn Murphy Campbell
Tamzyn Murphy Campbell

Research Disclaimer

Our team’s research methods adhere to the highest standards of academic integrity. All findings are relevant and authentic, and will therefore be published on this site regardless of outcome.

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