Dr. Alexandra Jenkins
Senior ScientistDr. Jenkins’ research career started in Oxford, where she was part of the research team that developed the concept of slow release carbohydrate and the Glycemic Index. She obtained her BSc from the University of Toronto and completed her PhD at the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom. Dr. Jenkins’ major research focus has been the potential role of dietary fibre and dietary supplements. Her research demonstrated the potentially beneficial effects of American ginseng and konjac glucomannan, a viscous dietary fibre, on acutely attenuating postprandial blood glucose and improving long term diabetes control. In addition, she was part of the research group which investigated Salvia Hispanica L. (chia), a seed rich in omega-3 and viscous fibre, and its role in blood pressure, weight loss and weight maintenance and the role of dietary nitrate on arterial stiffness. She has been an author or co-author on over 150 publications in peer-reviewed journals.
Dr. Jenkins is a member of the American Society for Nutrition, Diabetes Canada, Ontario College of Dietitians and Dietitians of Canada. She is a sought-after lecturer on nutritional modification of cardiovascular risk factors and diabetes.
In addition to her role as Senior Scientist at INQUIS Clinical Research, she was until recently a Senior Research Associate at the Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Centre at St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, where her research focused on investigating the potential utility of nutraceuticals and functional foods in the treatment of diabetes.
Wolever TMS, Jenkins AL, Campbell JE, et al. Decreasing the RAG:SAG ratio of granola cereal predictably reduces postprandial glucose and insulin responses: a report of four randomised trials in healthy adults. J Nutr Sci. 2022;11:e21. Published 2022 Mar 17. doi:10.1017/jns.2022.22
Zurbau A, Smircic Duvnjak L, Magas S, Jovanovski E, Miocic J, Jenkins AL, Jenkins DJA, Josse RG, Leiter LA, Sievenpiper JL, Vuksan V. Co-administration of viscous fiber, Salba-chia and ginseng on glycemic management in type 2 diabetes: a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Eur J Nutr. 2021 Sep;60(6):3071-3083. doi: 10.1007/s00394-020-02434-7. Epub 2021 Jan 24.
Ms Wolever T, Rahn M, Dioum E, et al. An Oat β-Glucan Beverage Reduces LDL Cholesterol and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Men and Women with Borderline High Cholesterol: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial. J Nutr. 2021;151(9):2655-2666. doi:10.1093/jn/nxab154
Vuksan V, Sievenpiper JL, Jovanovski E, Jenkins AL, Komishon A, Au-Yeung F, Zurbau A, Ho HVT, Li D, Smircic-Duvnjak L. Effect of soluble-viscous dietary fibre on coronary heart disease risk score across 3 population health categories: data from randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2020 Jul;45(7):801-804. doi: 10.1139/apnm-2019-0728. Epub 2020 Mar 26. PMID: 32213141.
Jovanovski E, Lea-Duvnjak-Smircic, Komishon A, Au-Yeung F, Zurbau A, Jenkins AL, Sung MK, Josse R, Vuksan V. Vascular effects of combined enriched Korean Red ginseng (Panax Ginseng) and American ginseng (Panax Quinquefolius) administration in individuals with hypertension and type 2 diabetes: A randomized controlled trial. Complement Ther Med. 2020 Mar;49:102338. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102338. Epub 2020 Feb 12. PMID: 32147072.
Fisher JM, Wolever TMS, Campbell JE, Ezatagha A, Noronha JC, Jenkins AL. Effect of a Snack Bar Optimized to Reduce Alcohol Bioavailability: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial in Healthy Individuals. J Med Food. 2020 Apr;23(4):432-439. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2019.0228. Epub 2019 Nov 22. PMID: 31755823; PMCID: PMC7185312.
Zurbau A, Jenkins AL, Jovanovski E, Au-Yeung F, Bateman EA, Brissette C, Wolever TMS, Hanna A, Vuksan V. Acute effect of equicaloric meals varying in glycemic index and glycemic load on arterial stiffness and glycemia in healthy adults: a randomized crossover trial. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2019 Jan;73(1):79-85. doi: 10.1038/s41430-018-0182-2. Epub 2018 May 17. PMID: 29777241.
Wolever TMS, Rahn M, Dioum EH, et al. Effect of Oat β-Glucan on Affective and Physical Feeling States in Healthy Adults: Evidence for Reduced Headache, Fatigue, Anxiety and Limb/Joint Pains. Nutrients. 2021;13(5):1534. Published 2021 May 1. doi:10.3390/nu13051534
Jenkins AL, Morgan LM, Bishop J, Jovanovski E, Jenkins DJA, Vuksan V. Co-administration of a konjac-based fibre blend and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) on glycaemic control and serum lipids in type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled, cross-over clinical trial. European Journal of Nutrition. 2017;57(6):2217-2225. doi:10.1007/s00394-017-1496-x.