This study aims to compare changes in cardiovascular function and markers of inflammation and metabolic dysfunction in women randomized to treatment with extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) versus those randomized to treatment with a control oil low in oleic acid and phenols for 8 weeks.
Participants will be randomized to receive 45 ml (40 g) of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) daily for 8 weeks or an identical dose of a control sunflower seed oil low in oleic acid and phenol content. EVOO high in oleic acid and phenolic content will be identified and shipped from Italy and stored protected from heat and light in the Bionutrition Core at the Clinical Research Center at the University of Vermont Medical Center. Women will undergo a detailed cardiovascular assessment at baseline and following treatment, including assessment of blood pressure, pulse-wave velocity, calculation of arterial distensibility and beta stiffness, flow-mediated vasodilation, cardiac output, response to volume challenge and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Lipid profiles and markers of inflammation, oxidative stress and metabolic dysfunction will also be assessed at both study visits. Investigators hypothesize that treatment with high oleic acid and phenolic EVOO will be associated with decreased blood pressure, improved vascular compliance and blood vessel function, and with improvement in lipid profile, inflammation and markers of metabolic dysfunction.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
40
Subjects will consume 45 ml (40 g) of EVOO daily for 8 weeks.
Subjects will consume 45 ml (40 g) of a control sunflower seed oil daily for 8 weeks.
University of Vermont Medical Center
Burlington, Vermont, United States
RECRUITINGArterial pulse wave velocity
Arterial pulse wave velocity in meters/second. This is an index of vessel stiffness.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Blood pressure
Blood pressure in millimeters mercury (mm Hg).
Time frame: 8 weeks
Arterial distensibility
Arterial distensibility (no units). This is an index of vessel stiffness.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Arterial Beta Stiffness Index
Arterial Beta Stiffness Index (no units). This is an index of vessel stiffness.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Flow-mediated vasodilation
Flow-mediated vasodilation in percent. This is a measure of endothelial health.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Cardiac output
Cardiac output in liters per minute.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Cardiac output response to volume challenge
Cardiac output response to volume challenge in liters per minute. This is a measure of vascular compliance.
Time frame: 8 weeks
C-reactive protein
Serum C-reactive protein in milligrams/liter. This is a marker of inflammation.
Time frame: 1 year
High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Cholesterol
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Serum high density lipoprotein in milligrams/deciliter.
Time frame: 1 year
Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol
Serum low density lipoprotein in milligrams/deciliter.
Time frame: 1 year
Triglycerides
Serum triglycerides in milligrams/deciliter.
Time frame: 1 year
Insulin
Fasting serum insulin level in micro international units per milliliter (µIU/mL).
Time frame: 1 year
Hemoglobin A1C
Serum hemoglobin A1C in percent.
Time frame: 1 year
B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)
B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in picograms per milliliter. This is a measure of cardiac function.
Time frame: 1 year
Interleukin 6 (IL-6)
Interleukin 6 in picograms per milliliter. This is a measure of inflammation.
Time frame: 1 year
Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)
Tumor necrosis factor alpha in picograms per milliliter. This is a measure of inflammation.
Time frame: 1 year