Effect of Pumpkin Seeds on the Dietary Fatty Acid Intake and Blood Pressure in Women

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to determine if the inclusion of 1.5 ounces of pumpkin seeds per day in the diet of women will alter dietary fatty acid intake or blood pressure.

Detailed Description
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Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of morbidity and mortality in United States. Diets high in polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids have been shown to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease. Pumpkin seeds are a good source of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Oil extracted from pumpkin seeds has been shown to lower blood pressure. One purpose of this study is to determine whether eating 1.5 ounces of pumpkin seeds per day will improve polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acid intake in the diet in healthy adult women. Another purpose of this study is to determine whether eating 1.5 ounces of pumpkin seeds a day will lower blood pressure.

Official Title
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Effect of Pumpkin Seeds on the Dietary Fatty Acid Intake and Blood Pressure in Women

Conditions
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Cardiovascular Disease, Blood Pressure

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Pumpkin Seeds


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Female Over the age of 18 Able to read, write, and speak English Able to keep a three-day diet diary Willing and able to consume pumpkin seeds Exclusion Criteria: Pregnant or planning to become pregnant Allergic to pumpkin seeds High blood pressure Regularly consuming pumpkin seeds (more than 4 times per month) Taking blood pressure medication Liver disease Kidney disease Gastrointestinal disease History of bariatric surgery History of a major cardiovascular event Heart disease Currently undergoing cancer treatment (except nonmelanoma cancer) Following a weight control diet Following a disease specific diet Following a vegan diet Have a diagnosed eating disorder

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Group I - Pumpkin Seeds<br>First four weeks of study: consume perceived normal diet; Second four weeks of study: receive 1.5 ounces of pumpkin seeds per day for consumption; Third four weeks of the study: consume their perceived normal diet. | Other: Pumpkin Seeds<br>* Participants will be asked to consume 1.5 ounces of raw, unsalted pumpkin seeds per day. The 1.5 ounces will be split in to two servings (each 0.75 ounces).<br>|
| Active Comparator: Group II - Pumpkin Seeds<br>First four weeks of study: consume perceived normal diet; Second four week period: consume perceived normal diet; Third four week period: receive 1.5 ounces of pumpkin seeds per day for consumption. | Other: Pumpkin Seeds<br>* Participants will be asked to consume 1.5 ounces of raw, unsalted pumpkin seeds per day. The 1.5 ounces will be split in to two servings (each 0.75 ounces).<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Dietary fatty acid intake | The dietary fatty acid intake, specifically monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, will be measured three times over the course of a twelve week period to determine if fatty acid intake changed during the intervention. | 12 weeks | 
| Blood pressure | Blood pressure will be measured at every meeting to determine if the addition of pumpkin seeds to the diet altered blood pressure. | 12 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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dietary fat, fat intake, blood pressure, women, phytoestrogen, pumpkin seeds, cardiovascular disease, heart disease, secoisolariciresinol, monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, feeding study