Elevated Blood Pressure, Hypertension
Conditions
Brief summary
Postmenopausal women have a higher prevalence of cardiovascular (CV) disease than age-match men. Growing evidence from rat studies have demonstrated CV-protective effects of pumpkin seed oil (PSO). The investigators hypothesis is that PSO would improve CV health in postmenopausal women.
Detailed description
The purpose of the study is to examine the effects of 6 weeks of PSO on arterial and autonomic function in postmenopausal women. Specific aims of the study are to: To investigate the extent to which PSO will improve cardiovascular disease risk factors by assessing arterial stiffness, aortic BP and wave reflection, and autonomic function (heart rate variability).
Interventions
OTHERPumpkin Seed Oil
This intervention consisted of 6 weeks of PSO consumption. Subject were supplemented with 3 g/day of PSO which was ingested in the form of 1g capsules with each main meal of the day (breakfast, lunch and dinner).
OTHERPlacebo
This intervention consisted of 6 weeks of placebo consumption. Subject consumed 1 capsule of maltodextrin with each main meal of the day to match the dose and number of capsules ingested daily by the PSO group.
Sponsors
Marymount University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
45 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Female * 45 to 65 years of age * At least 1 year after menopause * BMI \<39.9 * Sedentary or low active (less than 2 hr per wk)
Exclusion criteria
* known heart disease * peripheral vascular disease * diabetes, body mass index * BMI\> 40 kg/m2 * other chronic diseases * taking medications (e.g., hormone replacement therapy, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, antidepressants and stimulants) that could affect the outcome variables * smokers * history of steady exercise or received exercise training and dietary changes in the last year
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Blood pressure | 6 weeks | Non-invasive measures of brachial and aortic blood pressure |
| Pressure Wave Reflection | 6 weeks | Using the augmentation index |
| Arterial Stiffness | 6 weeks | Using the stiffness index |
| Heart rate variability | 6 weeks | R-R intervals were collected during 6 min using a validated wireless monitor (Polar 800CX; Polar Electro OY, Kempele, Finland) via a chest strap interfaced with a PC. All R-R intervals were inspected for artifacts and premature beats. |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed