Dr. David J. A. Jenkins, MD, PhD, DSc

David J. A. Jenkins, MD, PhD, DSc, is a physician and nutritional scientist at University of Toronto and St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where the focus of his work is glycaemic index, plant-based diets and cholesterol lowering. He serves as University Professor and Canada Research Chair in Nutrition and Metabolism.

Particular areas of attention include glycaemic index and carbohydrate quality; the Portfolio Diet and dietary cholesterol reduction; and plant-based and vegetarian diets. He was appointed officer of the Order of Canada.

Doctors who move into nutrition research produce the studies that underpin national dietary guidance, and many also teach the next generation of clinicians. Dr. David Jenkins is associated above all with glycaemic index, plant-based diets and cholesterol lowering.

Essential Details For Dr. David Jenkins

• Full Name And Credentials: David J. A. Jenkins, MD, PhD, DSc
• Profession: Physician and nutritional scientist
• Field Of Focus: Glycaemic index, plant-based diets and cholesterol lowering
• Current Position: University Professor and Canada Research Chair in Nutrition and Metabolism
• Institution: University of Toronto and St. Michael’s Hospital
• Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• Sees Patients: Yes, in a clinical setting

Academic And Professional Credentials Of Dr. David Jenkins

The qualifications below are drawn from the institutional, professional body and publisher sources listed at the end of this profile.

• Medical Degree: DM, University of Oxford
• Doctorate: DPhil, University of Oxford, 1975, and a higher doctorate, DSc, from the same university
• Professional Standing: Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, London, and Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

What Dr. David Jenkins Specialises In

Published professional sources describe the work of Dr. David Jenkins as centred on:

• Glycaemic index and carbohydrate quality
• The Portfolio Diet and dietary cholesterol reduction
• Plant-based and vegetarian diets
• Dietary fibre and metabolic health
• Environmentally sustainable diets

Professional Roles And Advisory Work Of Dr. David Jenkins

• University Professor, Department of Nutritional Sciences, and Canada Research Chair in Nutrition and Metabolism, University of Toronto
• Professor, Department of Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, since 1984
• Director of the Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Centre, St. Michael’s Hospital, since 1988
• Staff physician in the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism and Scientist at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital
• His team was the first to define the glycaemic index of foods, published in 1981, and to map the metabolic effects of viscous soluble fibre
• Developed the Portfolio Diet, a combination of cholesterol lowering foods now cited in cardiovascular guidelines in Canada and the United Kingdom
• Served on committees in Canada and the United States that set nutritional guidelines for diabetes and dietary reference intakes for fibre and macronutrients
• Establishing a Nutrition Trialists Network to run major diet trials nationally and internationally

Distinctions Held By Dr. David Jenkins

• Appointed Officer of the Order of Canada for his work on therapeutic diets and public health
• The Order of Ontario, 2022
• David Kritchevsky Career Achievement Award, American Society for Nutrition, 2025
• Lifetime Achievement Award, Diabetes Canada, 2024
• E. V. McCollum Award, American Society for Nutrition, 2022
• Elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and Fellow of the Canadian Nutrition Society
• Author of more than 700 publications with an h-index above 90

Base And Affiliation Details For Dr. David Jenkins

University of Toronto and St. Michael’s Hospital

Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Clinical commitments at this institution are arranged through its own departments and services. Confirm the current address, department and telephone number with the institution before travelling, because academic appointments and clinic sites change.

The Role Of Glycaemic Index Research In Nutrition Today

The glycaemic index ranks carbohydrate foods by how quickly and how far they raise blood glucose, which is why white bread and lentils behave very differently despite similar carbohydrate content. The concept moved dietary advice away from counting carbohydrate alone towards carbohydrate quality. Work in this field also produced the testing standards and reference databases that let researchers and food manufacturers use the measure consistently.

Related Profiles In Glycaemic Index Research

If you are comparing specialists, these profiles cover closely related areas of nutrition:

• Dr. Jennie Brand-Miller, glycaemic index research at School of Life and Environmental Sciences and the Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney
• Dr. Anoop Misra, diabetes and metabolic nutrition at Fortis C-DOC Centre of Excellence for Diabetes, Metabolic Diseases and Endocrinology, New Delhi
• Dr. Seema Gulati, diabetes nutrition research at National Diabetes, Obesity and Cholesterol Foundation and Diabetes Foundation (India)
• Dr. Lawrence Appel, diet and blood pressure at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Bloomberg School of Public Health

Browse the full dietitian and nutritionist directory for more specialists.

Appointment And Access Guidance For Dr. David Jenkins

Dr. David Jenkins is a staff physician in endocrinology and metabolism who directs a hospital based clinical nutrition and risk factor centre. Access is usually arranged through the institution, a referring doctor or its own clinic rather than through this directory. Insurance participation, fees and waiting times vary by institution and by plan, and they change over time, so check coverage with both the institution and your insurer before scheduling. Use the enquiry button on this page to ask about availability.

What People Ask About Dr. David Jenkins

What did Dr. David Jenkins study?

DM, University of Oxford. Full training details appear in the education section above.

What are the qualifications of Dr. David Jenkins?

David J. A. Jenkins, MD, PhD, DSc. Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, London, and Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

What position does Dr. David Jenkins hold?

Dr. David Jenkins is University Professor and Canada Research Chair in Nutrition and Metabolism, based at University of Toronto and St. Michael’s Hospital.

What is Glycaemic Index Research?

Glycaemic Index Research is the area of nutrition science concerned with glycaemic index, plant-based diets and cholesterol lowering. Specialists working in it, including Dr. David Jenkins, study how diet relates to health and translate those findings into guidance.

Has Dr. David Jenkins received professional recognition?

Yes. Appointed Officer of the Order of Canada for his work on therapeutic diets and public health. Further awards and distinctions are listed above.

Does Dr. David Jenkins hold leadership roles in the field?

Yes. University Professor, Department of Nutritional Sciences, and Canada Research Chair in Nutrition and Metabolism, University of Toronto. A fuller list of appointments appears above.

References Supporting This Dr. David Jenkins Profile

• University of Toronto, Department of Nutritional Sciences
• Lawson Centre for Child Nutrition, University of Toronto
• St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto

Compilation And Review Notes For Dr. David Jenkins

This profile was compiled from the public professional sources listed above, including university faculty pages, professional register and society records, journal author statements and publisher biographies. Qualifications, appointments and awards were checked against at least two independent sources where available. Last reviewed on 30 October 2026.

Found something out of date? Contact the Find MD Health editorial team and we will review the entry.

Nutrition Information Notice For Dr. David Jenkins

Information only, not medical or dietary advice. Location, services, insurance and availability change, so confirm details with University of Toronto and St. Michael’s Hospital.