Actively Recruiting
Impact of Lean Pork on Endothelial Function in Perimenopause
Led by Pennington Biomedical Research Center · Updated on 2025-11-28
30
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
91 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
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.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Impact of Lean Pork on Endothelial Function in Perimenopause
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Female participants
- Age between 40 and 55 years
- Body Mass Index (BMI) between 28 and 45 kg/m2
- Experiencing irregular menstrual cycles but not more than 12 consecutive months without a period
- Experiencing severe vasomotor (menopause) symptoms
- Doing less than 3 hours per week of structured exercise
- Systolic blood pressure between 120 and 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure between 80 and 90 mmHg
- Hemoglobin A1c less than or equal to 6.5%
- Willing and able to refrain from using oral mouthwash during the study
- Willing and able to follow both study diets
- Willing to provide blood samples for future research
- Able to read, speak, and understand English
You will not qualify if you...
- History of hysterectomy (partial or full) or oophorectomy
- Use of hormone replacement therapy or hormonal contraception within 6 months prior to study
- Systolic blood pressure 140 mmHg or higher and/or diastolic blood pressure 90 mmHg or higher
- Triglycerides 350 mg/dL or higher, LDL cholesterol 190 mg/dL or higher, or currently taking lipid-lowering medication
- Diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, diabetes (type 1 or 2), endocrine-related diseases (e.g., thyroid, PCOS), unstable gastrointestinal disease, or kidney, liver, or pancreatic disease
- Diagnosed with cancer (except skin cancer) within the last 5 years
- Taking more than one blood pressure medication or taking one blood pressure medication for less than 3 months
- Taking phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, anti-coagulants, corticosteroids, metformin, or insulin
- Weight change of 6.6 pounds or more in past 3 months, actively trying to lose weight, or unwilling to maintain stable weight during study
- Current smoking or vaping
- Binge or heavy alcohol drinking
- Food allergies or other reasons preventing consumption of study foods in both diets
AI-Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States, 70808
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
H
Hannah E Cabre, PhD, RDN
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
DOUBLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
CROSSOVER
Primary Purpose
PREVENTION
Number of Arms
2
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