618.453.7511

 

 

Room 207-B

 

Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition

Mail Code 4317

Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Carbondale, Illinois  62901

 

· FN 320

· FN 475

 

Descriptions are available for each of these classes in the course listing for Food and Nutrition [FN].

 

· Ph.D. [1995], University of Tennessee-Knoxville

· M.S. [1990], University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

· B.S. [1988], University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

 

Dr. Banz's specialization is in Nutrition Physiology, focusing primarily on the relationship amongst the bioactive components of functional foods, health and gene-nutrient interaction.  Much of his research is concentrated on the health of soybeans, soybean phytochemicals and synthetic estrogens ranging across a wide spectrum of topics, from basic mechanistic research to applied human studies.  Dr. Banz teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in Nutrition and Dietetics.

 

Reserach Interests

 

· Treatment and prevention of obesity and its associated syndromes (metabolic syndrome, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, nonalcoholic fatty liver, and heart disease).

· Demonstrated unique anti-diabetic effects of numerous plant extracts (e.g., soybean, milk, flaxseed and ginseng extracts) and synthetic compounds.  In preclinical rat models, some of the compounds tested have exhibited efficacy in controlling specific diabetic parameters and cardiovascular disease risk factors.

· Performing further laboratory and preclinical tests to help determine the efficacy of the most promising plant extracts and synthetic compounds identified.

· Clinical studies underway on some key soy compounds.  These preclinical and clinical studies are believed to hold particular promise because testing these dietary compounds or their active components could help uncover new therapies for diabetes treatment, reduce or prevent the need for costly prescription drugs, or offer therapies that avoid or reduce drug-associated side effects (e.g., hepatic dysfunction or fluid retention and congestive heart failure).

· In addition to the plant extract and pharmaceutical research, currently working on the development (along with CharlesRivewrs Genetic Models, Inc., and PreClinOmics, Inc.) of novel polygenic preclinical models in the area of diabetes and obesity.

 

You can find additional information about Dr. Banz's teaching, reserach and service at:

· "Soy-Based Foods May Help Fight Cancer" [SIUC Press Release 12/17/2002]