Destiffening and Hypotensive Effects of Whole Milk and Full-fat Dairy Products

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The specific aim of the proposed study is to address the efficacy of conventional full-fat dairy products as part of the normal routine diet for improving vascular function and reducing blood pressure in middle-aged and older adults with elevated blood pressure. The investigators hypothesize that dietary intervention including whole milk and full-fat milk products will induce significant decreases in systolic blood pressure and arterial stiffness. The investigators also test the hypothesis that the reductions in blood pressure will be associated with the corresponding decreases in arterial stiffness and/or increases in endothelial vasodilatory function as well as improvements in arterial baroreflex sensitivity. If our hypotheses are supported by the results, the information could be used as a basis for recommendations for the use of whole milk and full-fat milk products in the secondary prevention of elevated blood pressure and vascular dysfunction.

Official Title
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Destiffening and Hypotensive Effects of Whole Milk and Full-fat Dairy Products

Conditions
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Hypertension, Prehypertension

Intervention / Treatment
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* Dietary Supplement: High fat dairy
* Dietary Supplement: Plant-based


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Prehypertension or stage-1 hypertension Exclusion Criteria: Consume > 3 servings of dairy or fruit per day Strenuous physical activity > 3 time per week Lactose intolerance, pregnancy, lactation, and/or alcohol abuse Taking cardiovascular-acting drugs Overt cardiovascular disease, metabolic disease, GI disorders and/or renal disease

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 20 Years
Maximum Age: 80 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Dairy<br>Add 4 daily servings of high fat dairy to diet for a period of 4 weeks | Dietary Supplement: High fat dairy<br>* Add 4 daily servings per day of high fat dairy (yogurt, milk, cheese) for a period of 4 weeks<br>|
| Active Comparator: Plant-based<br>Add 4 daily servings of fruit to diet and/or plant-based milk, remove all dairy from diet for a period of 4 weeks | Dietary Supplement: Plant-based<br>* Add 4 daily servings of fruit (fruit cup, apple sauce) and/or plant-based milk, remove all dairy for a period for 4 weeks<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Seated blood pressure |  | 4 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure |  | 4 weeks | 
| Carotid arterial compliance as measured by arterial pressure and corresponding cross-sectional area by ultrasound |  | 4 weeks | 
| Arterial stiffness as measured by pulse wave velocity between the aortic arch and femoral artery |  | 4 weeks | 
| Flow mediated dilation |  | 4 weeks |