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Our Research Programs

Intense discovery work in  the basic, clinical and  population  health sciences that aims to solve the significant health problems of our times.

Our Faculty & Postdocs

Expert explorers  revealing the latest scientific  breakthrough; and those blazing futures trails in biomedical research.  

Core Services

These core services -- highly specialized teams and equipment - support a sophisticated research infrastructure.

Calculators 

 From weight loss predictors to BMI calculators for adults and children,  our tools help many study and improve metabolic health.

Current Research Trials

At the heart of all medical advances, research trials lead the way to new paths for prevention, detection or treatment of disease.  

About Research  Trials

Research trials are used to determine if a new test or treatment works and is safe. 

Find out more about how the trial process works, how volunteers are protected, and other national resources of interest for volunteers and scientists. 

Participant Stories

Research trial volunteers participate for many reasons; some to help others; others to move science forward.   Find out how they are leading our work to new discoveries. 

BMI Calculator

Knowing your BMI is an important first step in research trial participation. 

Resources for the community

Free nutrition information on topics such as health properties of certain foods and what exercise is best for children. 

Events 

Pennington Biomedical hosts events that bring scientific experts to the community on a variety of topics from the health benefits of plants to women's wellness and men's health. 

Recipes

Healthy eating can taste great too! Our metabolic kitchen has designed almost one hundred recipes that are good for you and taste great.  Developed in our professional kitchen by registered dieticians, they cover all the favorites from pasta , popcorn balls and popsicles to smoothies, sliders and soups. 

Endocrinology and Diabetes

Our team is highly skilled in diagnosing and treating a wide range of endocrine disorders through a personalized, compassionate, and patient-centered approach.

Technology Transfer

At the forefront of translating science into solutions, technology transfer creates the bridge from the lab to the marketplace .

Facilities

Find out about our state of the art equipment  and services that are available to researchers around the world. 

Clinical Trial Volunteers

Our volunteers move science forward by participating in trials to test the safety and efficacy of new treatments, diagnostic services and pharmaceutical interventions

Interested in investing? 

The future of biomedical innovation begins in academic research facilities.  Find out more about patents, licensing and how you can become a partner.

I'm interested in...

Our Research Programs

Intense discovery work in  the basic, clinical and  population  health sciences that aims to solve the significant health problems of our times.

Our Faculty & Postdocs

Expert explorers  revealing the latest scientific  breakthrough; and those blazing futures trails in biomedical research.  

Core Services

These core services -- highly specialized teams and equipment - support a sophisticated research infrastructure.

Calculators 

 From weight loss predictors to BMI calculators for adults and children,  our tools help many study and improve metabolic health.

Current Research Trials

At the heart of all medical advances, research trials lead the way to new paths for prevention, detection or treatment of disease.  

About Research  Trials

Research trials are used to determine if a new test or treatment works and is safe. 

Find out more about how the trial process works, how volunteers are protected, and other national resources of interest for volunteers and scientists. 

Participant Stories

Research trial volunteers participate for many reasons; some to help others; others to move science forward.   Find out how they are leading our work to new discoveries. 

BMI Calculator

Knowing your BMI is an important first step in research trial participation. 

Resources for the community

Free nutrition information on topics such as health properties of certain foods and what exercise is best for children. 

Events 

Pennington Biomedical hosts events that bring scientific experts to the community on a variety of topics from the health benefits of plants to women's wellness and men's health. 

Recipes

Healthy eating can taste great too! Our metabolic kitchen has designed almost one hundred recipes that are good for you and taste great.  Developed in our professional kitchen by registered dieticians, they cover all the favorites from pasta , popcorn balls and popsicles to smoothies, sliders and soups. 

Endocrinology and Diabetes

Our team is highly skilled in diagnosing and treating a wide range of endocrine disorders through a personalized, compassionate, and patient-centered approach.

Technology Transfer

At the forefront of translating science into solutions, technology transfer creates the bridge from the lab to the marketplace .

Facilities

Find out about our state of the art equipment  and services that are available to researchers around the world. 

Clinical Trial Volunteers

Our volunteers move science forward by participating in trials to test the safety and efficacy of new treatments, diagnostic services and pharmaceutical interventions

Interested in investing? 

The future of biomedical innovation begins in academic research facilities.  Find out more about patents, licensing and how you can become a partner.

News

Baton Rouge

A Scientific Center Becomes an Economic Engine

Over the past 35 years, Pennington Biomedical has attracted researchers from around the world to its Baton Rouge campus with the purpose of helping people live longer, healthier lives. These internationally renowned scientists collaborate with their colleagues in 240 academic institutions in 24 countries. Their work has generated close to 400,000 citations in scientific literature with five scientists ranking among the most cited researchers in the world.

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Dr. Owen Carmichael

Long-Term Benefits of Lifestyle and Metformin Interventions in Reducing Type 2 Diabetes Over 21 Years in the U.S. Diabetes Prevention Program Study

The U.S. Diabetes Prevention Program, or DPP, reported on April 28 the 21-year follow-up of this randomized clinical trial showing that the original intensive lifestyle intervention reduced the development of diabetes by 24% and metformin reduced diabetes development by 17%. The DPP had previously showed that after the first 3 years of study, the intensive lifestyle, aimed at moderate weight loss and increased physical activity, and the medication metformin reduced the onset of type 2 diabetes by 58% and 31%, respectively, compared with a placebo medicine. All participants were adults at high risk of developing diabetes.

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Photo of the facade of the Metamor Institute at Pennington Biomedical Research Center

United States Sees Disproportionate Increase in Body Mass Index Rates of More Than 60

In the past 20 years, the average rate of obesity among adults in the United States has risen by approximately 30 percent, but the rate of those with the most severe forms of obesity, or those with a body mass index, or BMI, of more than 60 kg/m2, increased by 210 percent. In a recently published research letter in the prestigious medical journal The Lancet: Diabetes & Endocrinology, researchers from Pennington Biomedical analyzed national health data from 2001 through 2023, and discovered the alarming increase in the numbers of patients with the most severe forms of obesity.

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Cell Metabolism

Pennington Biomedical Research Center Investigates Tirzepatide's Role in Weight Loss and Metabolic Health

Researchers at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center conducted a first-of-its-kind study to provide insights into the mechanisms of action of tirzepatide – a drug known as Zepbound™ – on weight loss with respect to energy expenditure, fat oxidation and calorie intake. The study, “Tirzepatide did not impact metabolic adaptation in people with obesity, but increased fat oxidation,” published in Cell Metabolism, showed that tirzepatide decreased participants’ calorie intake at lunch/dinner by reducing appetite while increasing fat oxidation, thus helping participants to lose weight. However, the drug did not decrease the slowing down of their metabolic rate usually observed with weight loss.

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About Us

Pennington Biomedical Research Center, a campus of Louisiana State University, is a world-renowned leader at the forefront of medical discoveries related to obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and dementia.  Our scientists conduct basic, clinical and population health research with the vision of leading the world in promoting metabolic health and eliminating metabolic disease through scientific discoveries that create solutions from cells to society.  

Key Facts

World's largest academic nutrition research center

Helped create DASH diet, a top ranked diet in the US

250 worldwide collaborators, representing 24 countries

US Military Nutrition Research Leader

 

Centers & Institutes

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