Impact of Sex in the Effect of Dietary Capsaicin on Cardiovascular Health: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Skidmore College
Summary
The investigators long-term goal is to better understand novel interventions to promote cardiovascular health in humans. The goal of the proposed research is to investigate whether there is sex-specificity in the effects of dietary capsaicin on mechanisms regulating nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability, its effect on key markers of cardiovascular (CV) health, including BP, macro- and microvascular function, and arterial stiffness. This knowledge will provide critical insight into the effects of dietary capsaicin on CV health and will guide future trials.
Description
Specific Aim 1: Determine the sex-specific effects of dietary capsaicin on central and peripheral blood pressure and arterial stiffness. The investigators hypothesize that dietary capsaicin intervention (6 week) will improve BP and arterial stiffness, likely in a sex-dependent manner. The investigators will measure heart rate variability and excretion of capsaicin and metabolites to ascertain bioavailability, and understand the mechanistic role of the autonomic nervous system, in capsaicin's effect on BP. Specific Aim 2: Assess whether dietary capsaicin effects on vascular function is sex-spe…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * relatively healthy (other than elevated blood pressure) non-smoking men and women over the age of 18 from the local community Exclusion Criteria: * Women who are without a period (not due to a birth control method, intrauterine device or menopause), are pregnant, attempting to conceive, or are breastfeeding will be excluded. * uncontrolled hypertension * Anyone with severe illness or compromised or suppressed immune system (e.g. taking immune suppressants, chronic viral infection or treatment). * Any participants with excessive sensitivity to spicy foods or fiber (psyl…
Interventions
- Dietary SupplementDietary capsules
Daily doses of dietary capsaicin or placebo in capsule form
Location
- Skidmore CollegeSaratoga Springs, New York