Dried Plums and Chronic Disease Markers
Dried Plums and Chronic Disease Markers
This study evaluates whether the consumption of California dried plums can be beneficial to
 your health. Previous studies using dried plums have shown beneficial effects on bone and
 cardiovascular health. In addition the investigators hope to learn how dried plums might
 change your bowel habits, and if the carbohydrates in the plums are fermented in your
 digestive tract.
The aging of the U.S. population presents a number of challenges, many of which that can be
 addressed through nutritional approaches. Postmenopausal women are particularly at-risk for a
 number of diseases such as osteoporosis (By 2020 it is estimated that 50 percent of women at
 50 years and older will either suffer from or be at-risk of bone loss), and cardiovascular
 disease, the number one killer of postmenopausal women. Polyphenolic compounds in fruits and
 nuts have been the focus of extensive research regarding their potential to reduce risk for a
 number of chronic diseases. All fruits are not created equally, so determining if dried plums
 (Prunus domestica L.) have certain phytochemicals in amounts that promote health when
 consumed in realistic amounts is important. This demonstration is likely to impact market
 demand for dried plums. Indeed, favorable research on other California specialty crops
 (walnuts, almonds, strawberries, grapes) is a key strategy to help growers increase sales.

 While hundreds of plum cultivars exist, with varying amounts of phenolic compounds, the
 process of drying results in high amounts on hydroxycinnamic acids, a family of compounds
 that have been shown, in animal models, to be protective of bone health by both reducing bone
 loss and improving bone growth. Hydroxycinnamic acids have also been proposed to improve
 vascular function by protecting the smooth endothelial lining of the blood vessels in animal
 models. Whether these encouraging observations also occur in humans is unknown. Therefore,
 the overall objective of this project is to conduct the first human study exploring the
 effects of California dried plums on markers of bone health and vascular function. Favorable
 results from this project will increase awareness of the unique benefits of dried plums for
 bone health and vascular health, two topics of great interest to aging baby boomers and other
 health-conscious consumers, both in the U.S. and internationally.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  50 to 70 years of age

 -  Lack of menses in the last year and FSH 23-116.3 mlU/mL

 -  Subject is willing and able to comply with the study protocols.

 -  Subject is willing participate in all study procedures

 -  BMI 18.5 - 34.9 kg/m2

 -  Weight ≥ 110 pounds

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  BMI < 18.5 kg/m2

 -  BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2

 -  Dislike or allergy for dried plums

 -  Self-reported use of daily anticoagulation agents including aspirin, NSAIDs

 -  Self-reported use of oral cortisone or other immunosuppressive agents,

 -  Self-reported underlying neoplasia or immunological disease

 -  Vegan, Vegetarians, food faddists or those consuming a non-traditional diet • Alcohol
 consumption > 3 drinks/week (i.e. 1 bottle of beer, ½ glass of wine, and 1 shot of
 hard liquor)

 -  Fruit consumption ≥ 2 cups/day

 -  Vegetable consumption ≥ 3 cups/day for females

 -  Fatty Fish ≥ 3 times/week

 -  Coffee/tea ≥ 3 cups/day

 -  Dark chocolate ≥ 3 oz/day

 -  Self-reported restriction of physical activity due to a chronic health condition

 -  Self-reported chronic/routine high intensity exercise

 -  Self-reported diabetes

 -  Blood pressure ≥ 140/90 mm Hg

 -  Self-reported renal or liver disease

 -  Self-reported heart disease, which includes cardiovascular events and Stroke

 -  Self-reported Cushing's syndrome

 -  Self-reported chronic/routine high intensity exercise

 -  Inability to properly place or wear the PAT probes or abnormal measurements on
 pre-screening PAT

 -  Abnormal Liver, CBC or Chemistry panels (laboratory values outside the reference
 range) if determined to be clinically significant by the study physician.

 -  Self-reported cancer within past 5 years

 -  Self-reported malabsorption

 -  Currently taking prescription drugs or supplements.

 -  Use of multi-vitamin and mineral other than a general formula of vitamins and minerals
 that meet the RDA

 -  Not willing to stop any supplement use, including herbal, plant or botanical, fish
 oil, oil supplements a month prior to study enrollment.

 -  Indications of substance or alcohol abuse within the last 3 years

 -  Screening LDL ≥ 190 mg/dl for those who have 0-1 major risk factors apart from LDL
 cholesterol (i.e. family history of premature coronary artery disease (male first
 degree relative < 55 years; CHD in female first degree relative < 65 years), cigarette
 smoker, HDL-C ≤ 40 mg/dL].

 -  Screening LDL ≥ 160 mg/dl for those who have 2 major risk factors apart from LDL
 cholesterol [i.e. family history of premature coronary artery disease (male first
 degree relative < 55 years; CHD in female first degree relative < 65 years), cigarette
 smoker, HDL-C ≤ 40 mg/dL].

 (using NCEP calculator http://cvdrisk.nhlbi.nih.gov/calculator.asp);

 -  Screening LDL ≥ 130 mg/dl for those who have 2 major risk factors apart from LDL
 cholesterol [i.e. family history of premature coronary artery disease (male first
 degree relative < 55 years; CHD in female first degree relative < 65 years), cigarette
 smoker, HDL-C ≤ 40 mg/dL], and a Framingham 10-year Risk Score 10-20% (using NCEP
 calculator http://cvdrisk.nhlbi.nih.gov/calculator.asp).

 -  Current enrollee in a clinical research study.

 The following special populations will be excluded:

 -  Individuals who are not yet adults (infants, children, teenagers)

 -  Pregnant women

 -  Prisoners