scholarly journals No longer beeting around the bush: a review of potential sex differences with dietary nitrate supplementation

2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (9) ◽  
pp. 915-924 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate A. Wickham ◽  
Lawrence L. Spriet
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Athletic Performance ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Blood Pressure Reduction ◽  
Biological Research ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Dietary Nitrate ◽  
Exercise Economy ◽  
Sequential Reduction

Over the last decade there has been substantial interest in the health and athletic performance benefits associated with acute and chronic dietary nitrate (NO3–) supplementation. Dietary NO3–, commonly found in leafy green and root vegetables, undergoes sequential reduction to nitrite and nitric oxide (NO) via the enterosalivary circulation. Importantly, NO has been shown to elicit a number of biological effects ranging from blood pressure reduction to improved exercise economy and athletic performance. However, a common absence within biological research is the lack of female participants, which is often attributed to the added complexity of hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle. Despite mounting evidence supporting significant anthropometric, metabolic, and physiological differences between the sexes, this problem extends to the field of dietary NO3– supplementation where women are underrepresented as research participants. This review examines the existing dietary NO3– supplementation research with regards to dietary NO3– pharmacokinetics, resting blood pressure, exercise economy and performance, and mechanisms of action. It also provides evidence and rationale for potential sex differences in response to dietary NO3– supplementation and future directions for this field of research. Novelty Dietary NO3– supplementation has been shown to have positive impacts on health and athletic performance in generally male populations. However, women are underrepresented in dietary NO3– supplementation research. The present evidence suggests that sex differences exist in response to dietary NO3– supplementation and this review highlights avenues for future research.

The effects of dietary nitrate on blood pressure and endothelial function: a review of human intervention studies

2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 210-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ditte A. Hobbs ◽  
Trevor W. George ◽  
Julie A. Lovegrove
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Endothelial Function ◽  
Systolic Blood Pressure ◽  
Intervention Studies ◽  
Blood Pressure Reduction ◽  
Oral Bacteria ◽  
Human Intervention ◽  
Dietary Nitrate ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Healthy Humans

Evidence has accumulated in recent years that suggests that nitrate from the diet, particularly vegetables, is capable of producing bioactive NO in the vasculature, following bioconversion to nitrite by oral bacteria. The aim of the present review was to consider the current body of evidence for potential beneficial effects of dietary nitrate on blood pressure and endothelial function, with emphasis on evidence from acute and chronic human intervention studies. The studies to date suggest that dietary nitrate acutely lowers blood pressure in healthy humans. An inverse relationship was seen between dose of nitrate consumed and corresponding systolic blood pressure reduction, with doses of nitrate as low as 3 mmol of nitrate reducing systolic blood pressure by 3 mmHg. Moreover, the current studies provide some promising evidence on the beneficial effects of dietary nitrate on endothelial function.In vitrostudies suggest a number of potential mechanisms by which dietary nitrate and its sequential reduction to NO may reduce blood pressure and improve endothelial function, such as: acting as a substrate for endothelial NO synthase; increasing vasodilation; inhibiting mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production and platelet aggregation. In conclusion, the evidence for beneficial effects of dietary nitrate on blood pressure and endothelial function is promising. Further long-term randomised controlled human intervention studies assessing the potential effects of dietary nitrate on blood pressure and endothelial function are needed, particularly in individuals with hypertension and at risk of CVD.

scholarly journals ACUTE DIETARY NITRATE SUPPLEMENTATION FAILS TO IMPROVE EXERCISE ECONOMY IN ELDERLY

2017 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
M. Driller ◽  
L. Thompson ◽  
J. McQuillan ◽  
R. Masters
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Walking Test ◽  
Dietary Nitrate ◽  
Exercise Economy ◽  
Nitrate Supplementation ◽  
Walking Economy ◽  
Experimental Trials

Objective: Improvements in exercise economy following dietary nitrate (NO3-) supplementation in young, athletic populations has been well documented, but little research has focused on whether these same benefits translate to elderly populations. Design: Participants completed two experimental trials in a double-blind, randomized, crossover design. Setting: University laboratory. Participants: Twenty-one elderly participants >65 yr (10 male/11 female, mean ± SD; age: 72 ± 6 yr). Intervention: Each trial consisted of participants ingesting a 70ml dose of either NO3- rich (NIT; 5.0mmol.L-1) or NO3- depleted (PLA; 0.003mmol.L-1) beetroot juice two hours prior to reporting to the laboratory. Measurements: On arrival at the laboratory, blood pressure was assessed followed by a five minute walking economy test on a treadmill (3km.h-1 and 1% gradient). VO2, heart rate and RPE were monitored during the walking test. Results: There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) between NIT and PLA trials for any of the measured variables during the walking test. Furthermore, no differences were found for blood pressure between trials. All results were associated with trivial or unclear effect sizes. Conclusion: Despite recent reports of improved exercise economy in young, athletic populations following NO3- supplementation, the current study did not find any benefit to sub-maximal VO2, heart rate, perceived exertion or blood pressure in elderly participants when performing a 5-minute walk following NO3- supplementation.

Abstract P243: Endothelial Function, Arterial Stiffness and Central Blood Pressure are Not Affected by a Single Dose of Dietary Nitrate in Healthy Normotensive Females

Circulation ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 137 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharine E Storo ◽  
Caleb D Harrison ◽  
Evan J Bockover ◽  
Brycen J Ratcliffe ◽  
Sierra Crowe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Single Dose ◽  
Arterial Stiffness ◽  
Endothelial Function ◽  
Pulse Wave ◽  
Central Blood Pressure ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Dietary Nitrate ◽  
Nitrate Supplementation ◽  
Plasma Nitrite

Intro: Hypertension is a prominent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and arterial stiffness is a related predictor of both mortality and longitudinal onset of hypertension in normotensive individuals. Both vascular compliance and blood pressure have been shown to improve following dietary nitrate supplementation in some healthy and diseased individuals. Dietary nitrate supplementation increases plasma nitrite and may, therefore, enhance bioavailability of endothelium derived nitric oxide. Chronic increased flow mediated dilation (FMD) and reduction of pulse wave velocity (PWV) reduce a person’s long-term risk for developing endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerosis and hypertension. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that an acute dose of dietary nitrate would improve FMD, decrease PWV and reduce central blood pressure (cBP) in healthy, young females. Methods: Seven healthy, young (21 ± 2 years) females participated in a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled, crossover protocol. Participants had endothelial function measured via FMD, arterial stiffness via PWV and applanation tonometry, and cBP was determined non-invasively using pulse wave analysis following a 12-hour fasting period and 48-hour NIH approved low nitrate diet. Baseline values were measured the day before each treatment visit (placebo or nitrate-rich, separated by a 1-week washout period). Participants consumed either a placebo or nitrate-rich supplement (negligible and 6.2 mmol nitrate, respectively) 2 hours prior to their laboratory visit. Upon arrival, blood was drawn and participants assumed a supine position for 15 minutes. Then brachial artery FMD was assessed via high definition ultrasound imaging following 5 minutes of proximal forearm occlusion, followed by PWV and central blood pressure measurements. Results: Plasma nitrite was elevated following consumption of the nitrate rich supplement compared to placebo (26.33 ± 15.76 and 1.18 ± 0.96 arbitrary units, respectively; p<0.05). However, there was no difference between nitrate rich and placebo treatments for endothelial function as measured by FMD (10.33 ± 1.82 and 9.11 ± 5.43%, respectively; p=0.70). No difference was present between nitrate and placebo groups for PWV (5.99 ± 0.85 and 6.16 ± 0.80 m/s, respectively; p=0.90), systolic cBP (101.57 ± 9.29 and 96.90 ± 20.95 mmHg, respectively; p=0.40) and diastolic cBP (72.57 ± 7.67 and 73.20 ± 5.01 mmHg, respectively; p=0.97). Conclusion: While a single dose of dietary nitrate does increase plasma nitrite, supplementation has minimal effects on FMD, PWV and cBP in young healthy females. Future research should examine longer duration supplementation protocols as well as the changes in vascular health of patients with known disease such as hypertension or peripheral artery disease.

scholarly journals Bacterial-Induced Blood Pressure Reduction: Mechanisms for the Treatment of Hypertension via the Gut

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyler Alexander Cookson
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Blood Pressure Reduction ◽  
The Body ◽  
Bioactive Molecules ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Gut Dysbiosis ◽  
Reduction Mechanisms ◽  
Treatment Of Hypertension

Hypertension is a major risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. As more research into the gut microbiome emerges, we are finding increasing evidence to support that these microbes may have significant positive and negative effects on blood pressure and associated disorders. The bacterial-derived metabolites that are produced in the gut are capable of widespread effects to several tissue types and organs in the body. It is clear that the extensive metabolic function that is lost with gut dysbiosis is unlikely to be replenished with a single metabolite or bacterial strain. Instead, combinations of bacteria and concomitant therapies will provide a more well-rounded solution to manage hypertension. The bioactive molecules that are recognized in this review will inform on ideal characteristics of candidate bacteria and provide direction for future research on the gut microbiome in hypertension.

Sex Differences in Cardiovascular Reactivity

2009 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew C. Whited ◽  
Kevin T. Larkin
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Gender Roles ◽  
Cardiovascular Reactivity ◽  
Task Type ◽  
Conflict Task ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Conflicting Evidence ◽  
Blood Pressure Responses

Sex differences in cardiovascular reactivity to stress are well documented, with some studies showing women having greater heart rate responses than men, and men having greater blood pressure responses than women, while other studies show conflicting evidence. Few studies have attended to the gender relevance of tasks employed in these studies. This study investigated cardiovascular reactivity to two interpersonal stressors consistent with different gender roles to determine whether response differences exist between men and women. A total of 26 men and 31 women were assigned to either a traditional male-oriented task that involved interpersonal conflict (Conflict Task) or a traditional female-oriented task that involved comforting another person (Comfort Task). Results demonstrated that women exhibited greater heart rate reactions than men independent of the task type, and that men did not display a higher reactivity than women on any measure. These findings indicate that sex of participant was more important than gender relevance of the task in eliciting sex differences in cardiovascular responding.

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