Effects of Dietary Nitrate in Women With Secondary Amenorrhea
Indiana University
Summary
Excessive exercise, disordered attitudes toward eating, physical and psychological stress, and/or hormonal imbalances may result in cessation of menstruation (secondary amenorrhea). The accompanying lack of estrogen may impair muscle power and oxygen recovery after exercise by reducing nitric oxide levels. The purpose of this study is to determine whether ingestion of beetroot juice containing nitrate, an alternative source of nitric oxide, can help reverse these changes.
Description
Due to excessive exercise, disordered attitudes toward eating, physical and psychological stress, and/or hormonal imbalances, young women may be predisposed to developing secondary amenorrhea. Secondary amenorrhea is defined as the absence of menses for at least 3 months in regularly menstruating women or at least 6 months in irregularly menstruating women \[1\]. This disorder of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis (HPO) is associated with a short-term lack of endogenous estradiol (E2), which may have negative health consequences \[2-7\]. For example, E2 plays an important role in regulating skele…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–44 years
- Sex
- Female
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Women age 18-44 years old * Missed \>3 consecutive periods in the last 12 months if previously regularly menstruating (average cycle 21-35 d) OR * Missed \>6 consecutive periods in the last 12 month if previously irregularly menstruating (spontaneous menstruation, average cycle \<21 or \> 35 d) Exclusion Criteria: * Unable to provide informed consent * Currently diagnosed with primary amenorrhea (no history of menstruation by age 15) or oligomenorrhea (menstrual cycle \>35 d or \<8 cycles per year) * Currently diagnosed with a chronic illness, including thyroid disease…
Interventions
- Dietary SupplementBeetroot Juice - Active
Nitrate-rich beetroot juice
- Dietary SupplementPlacebo Beetroot Juice Without Nitrate
Nitrate-poor beetroot juice
Location
- Indiana University IndianapolisIndianapolis, Indiana