Impact of Lean Pork on Endothelial Function in Perimenopause
Trial Parameters
Brief Summary
The goal of this study is to examine the impact of a diet high in fresh lean pork, compared to a plant-based diet, on cardiovascular function and vasomotor symptoms in perimenopausal women with overweight and obesity. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. How does a diet high in pork, compared to a plant-based diet, affects blood lipids, endothelial function, and blood pressure? 2. How does a diet high in pork, compared to a plant-based diet, affects blood nitrate, cardiometabolic biomarkers, inflammatory biomarkers, and vasomotor symptoms? Researchers will compare the diet high in pork to a plant-based diet to see if pork helps improve cardiovascular and mesopause symptoms. Participants will: * Consume both of the diets, each for 4 weeks, with a washout period between 2 and 6 weeks in between the diets trials * Visit the clinic 5 times with weekly meal pick ups during the diet trials * Undergo testing procedures including: weight and body composition, blood pressure and pulse, endothelial function using ultrasound of upper arm, microvascular blood flow, blood draws, physical activity measurements, and questionnaires.
Eligibility Criteria
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