Janet Tou

Dr. Janet Tou is Professor of Human Nutrition and Foods at West Virginia University, with offices located in the Agricultural Sciences building. Her research program focuses on two interconnected domains: therapeutic applications of bioactive dietary compounds and nutritional analysis of food sources.

Research Focus

Professor Tou investigates:

• Therapeutic effects of bioactive compounds (omega-3 fatty acids, polyphenols) on disease pathologies including osteoporosis, polycystic kidney disease, and fatty liver disease
• Biochemical and molecular mechanisms of nutrient actions at cellular and systemic levels
• Nutritional profiling of edible plants and novel protein sources for human consumption

Her publication portfolio demonstrates consistent focus on nutrient-disease interactions using rodent models, particularly examining impacts of specialized diets on renal, hepatic and musculoskeletal health. Recent work emphasizes soy proteins, omega-3 formulations, and resveratrol interventions.