Dietary Nitrate and Healthy Older Adults

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study investigates the influence of dietary nitrate supplementation on cardiovascular health and physical and cognitive performance in older adults. Participants will receive both a nitrate containing beetroot juice for 10 days and a nitrate depleted beetroot juice for 10 days

Detailed Description
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A recent exciting finding is that dietary nitrate supplementation (in the form of beetroot juice) appears to reduce the amount of oxygen needed to complete moderate intensity walking in healthy, young individuals. Nitrate is known to be converted in the body to nitric oxide (NO), a substance which reduces blood pressure and may affect the energy-producing mechanisms inside muscle cells. Exercise tolerance and muscle function typically declines with age and nitrate supplementation therefore may help improve cardiovascular health and the ability to carry out low-intensity daily activities in aging populations. The purpose of this study is to see if healthy, elderly individuals benefit from beetroot juice intake similarly to the effects seen in young adults. If this is indeed the case, then it may suggest that dietary supplementation with a relatively cheap, widely available, and natural food product may improve the ability of healthy elderly individuals to undergo everyday tasks and ultimately improve their quality of life.

Official Title
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Influence of Dietary Nitrate Supplementation on Blood Pressure, Walking Economy, Functional Physical Capacity and Cognitive Function in Healthy Older Adults

Conditions
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Blood Pressure, Cognitive Change, Functional Capacity, Brain Metabolism

Intervention / Treatment
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* Dietary Supplement: Nitrate-rich beetroot juice
* Dietary Supplement: Nitrate-depleted beetroot juice


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: 70 - 80 years of age male or female Exclusion Criteria: involved in regular structured exercise receiving medication for: pulmonary conditions cardiovascular conditions metabolic conditions musculoskeletal conditions ulcerative colitis renal disease

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 70 Years
Maximum Age: 80 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

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: Other
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Quadruple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Nitrate-rich beetroot juice<br>2 x 70mL concentrated juice per day for 10 days | Dietary Supplement: Nitrate-rich beetroot juice<br>* concentrated beetroot juice<br>|
| Placebo Comparator: Nitrate-depleted beetroot juice<br>2 x 70mL concentrated juice per day for 10 days | Dietary Supplement: Nitrate-depleted beetroot juice<br>* concentrated beetroot juice<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Blood pressure | Change in blood pressure between interventions | 10 days | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Oxygen cost of exercise | Change in oxygen consumption during exercise | 10 days | 
| Serial Subtraction test | change in performance of the Serial Subtraction test | 10 days | 
| Microbiome | change in oral microbiome measured by sequencing bacterial 16S rRNA genes | 10 days | 
| Brain metabolism | change in brain metabolites measured measured by 1H MRS | 10 days | 
| 6 minute walk test | change in performance of 6 minute walk test | 10 days |