Effects of Lean Pork Intake on Endothelial Function and Vasomotor Symptoms in Perimenopausal Women
Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Summary
The goal of this study is to examine the impact of a diet high in fresh lean pork, compared to a plant-based diet, on cardiovascular function and vasomotor symptoms in perimenopausal women with overweight and obesity. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. How does a diet high in pork, compared to a plant-based diet, affects blood lipids, endothelial function, and blood pressure? 2. How does a diet high in pork, compared to a plant-based diet, affects blood nitrate, cardiometabolic biomarkers, inflammatory biomarkers, and vasomotor symptoms? Researchers will compare the diet high in pork to a plant-based diet to see if pork helps improve cardiovascular and mesopause symptoms. Participants will: * Consume both of the diets, each for 4 weeks, with a washout period between 2 and 6 weeks in between the diets trials * Visit the clinic 5 times with weekly meal pick ups during the diet trials * Undergo testing procedures including: weight and body composition, blood pressure and pulse, endothelial function using ultrasound of upper arm, microvascular blood flow, blood draws, physical activity measurements, and questionnaires.
Description
Investigators expect about 30 women will be enrolled in this study. The expected time in this study will be between 11 and 15 weeks. Participants will consume both of the following diets, each for 4 weeks, with a washout period between 2 and 6 weeks in between the diets when participants will consume their usual diet. The diets will be consumed in random order. Participants will not be able to choose the order. Participants will receive 7 days of meals and snacks for 4 weeks for each diet. * PORK Diet: A diet following the Dietary Guidelines for Americans with at least 80% of meat consumptio…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 40–55 years
- Sex
- Female
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Are female * Are between 40 and 55 years of age * Have a BMI (a number calculated from participant height and weight) between 28 and45 kg/m2 * Are experiencing irregular menstrual cycles but have not gone longer than 12 consecutive months without a period * Are experiencing severe vasomotor (menopause) symptoms * Are doing less than 3 hours per week of structured exercise * Have systolic blood pressure between 120 and 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure between 80 and 90 mmHg * Have "sugary" hemoglobin called hemoglobin A1c less than or equal to 6.5% * Are willing a…
Interventions
- BehavioralPork Diet
The diet will follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans with 80% of the meat consumption per week being pork. Other animal protein (e.g., turkey, chicken, beef) will be minimized in the dietary plans (≤ 20%) so lean and processed pork are the primary protein source consumed. Within each day, \~80% of the daily pork intake will be fresh, unprocessed lean cuts (e.g., tenderloin, loin chops, sirloin roast, flank, and rump roast) and \~20% will be cured sources (e.g., Canadian bacon, pork sausage).
- BehavioralPlant Diet
The diet will be a Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian Diet following the Dietary Guidelines for Americans with no more than 21 oz per week of animal protein (e.g., eggs, cheese).
Location
- Pennington Biomedical Research CenterBaton Rouge, Louisiana