Effects of a Lean Pork Diet on Heart Health in Perimenopausal Women

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study investigates how a diet high in fresh lean pork compares to a plant-based diet in improving cardiovascular function and alleviating vasomotor symptoms in overweight and obese perimenopausal women. Participants will follow each diet for four weeks, with a washout period in between, and will undergo various health assessments including blood tests and blood pressure measurements. The goal is to determine the impact of these diets on blood lipids, endothelial function, and other cardiometabolic and inflammatory biomarkers.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Are female
* Are between 40 and 55 years of age
* Have a BMI (a number calculated from participant height and weight) between 28 and45 kg/m2
* Are experiencing irregular menstrual cycles but have not gone longer than 12 consecutive months without a period
* Are experiencing severe vasomotor (menopause) symptoms
* Are doing less than 3 hours per week of structured exercise
* Have systolic blood pressure between 120 and 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure between 80 and 90 mmHg
* Have "sugary" hemoglobin called hemoglobin A1c less than or equal to 6.5%
* Are willing and able to refrain from using oral mouth wash for the duration of the study because the alcohol in mouth wash inhibits nitrate synthesis
* Are willing and able to comply with both the study diets
* Are willing to collect blood for future research
* Can read, speak, and understand English

Exclusion Criteria:

* Hysterectomy (partial or full) or oophorectomy
* Using hormone replacement therapy use and/or hormonal contraception use 6 months prior to study start
* Has systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg)
* Triglycerides ≥350 mg/dL, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) ≥190 mg/dL, and/or taking a lipid-lowering medication -Diagnosed cardiovascular disease, diabetes (type 1 or 2), or endocrine- related disease (e.g. thyroid, PCOS), unstable gastrointestinal disease, kidney, liver, and/or pancreatic disease
* Diagnosed cancer (except skin cancer) in the last 5 years
* Taking \>1 blood pressure medication and/or taking 1 blood pressure medication for \<3 months
* Taking phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, anti-coagulants, corticosteroids, metformin, or insulin.
* Weight change ≥6.6 pounds in the past 3 months, actively trying to lose weight, or unwilling to remain weight stable throughout the study
* Current smoking or vaping, Binge and/or heavy drinker
* Food allergies or other reasons preventing consumption of study foods with both study diets

Where it's running

• Pennington Biomedical Research Center
  Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Hannah E Cabre, PhD, RDN — Pennington Biomedical Research Center
• Study coordinator: Hannah E Cabre, PhD, RDN
• Email: hannah.cabre@pbrc.edu
• Phone: 225-763-2826

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Inulin Prebiotic for Perimenopausal Women with Overweight or Obesity

  This study tests whether 2 weeks of inulin can affect gut and vaginal microbes, heart health, and muscle health in perimenopausal women who are overweight or obese, using a crossover design.

  Recruiting George Washington University · Washington D.C., District of Columbia · NCT07724522

• Nutritional supplement to change body composition in women during perimenopause

  A 12-week test of a supplement containing myo-inositol, berberine, cinnamon, and chromium to see if it changes body fat and other metabolic markers in women aged 38-55 compared with a placebo.

  Recruiting University of Southampton · Southampton, Hampshire · NCT07615777

• Probiotic Intake to See If It Helps Perimenopausal Women Think and Feel Better

  We’re testing whether a multi-strain probiotic can improve emotional processing and cognitive function in perimenopausal women who have mood or cognitive concerns.

  Recruiting University of Oxford · Oxford, England · NCT07590999

• Six-month high-fiber, high-polyphenol diet to lower brain inflammation in perimenopausal women with overweight or obesity

  This will try a 6-month high-fiber, high-polyphenol (polybiotic) diet to see if it lowers brain inflammation in perimenopausal women with overweight or obesity.

  Recruiting Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences · Leipzig, Saxony · NCT07501377

• Oral iron supplements and blood sugar response in overweight and obese women

  This trial will test whether 14 days of daily low-dose versus high-dose oral iron changes insulin and blood sugar responses in overweight or obese women with low iron stores.

  Recruiting ETH Zurich · Beirut · NCT07315282

• Beta-glucan added to a low-calorie, low-carbohydrate diet to help overweight women lose weight and body fat

  This trial will test whether taking 9 g/day of beta-glucan with a calorie- and carbohydrate-restricted diet helps women with overweight or obesity lose weight, reduce body fat, and feel less hungry.

  Recruiting University of Glasgow · Glasgow · NCT07299942

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.