Effect of Fruit and Vegetable Concentrates on Endothelial Function in Persons With Metabolic Syndrome

• Weight [ Time Frame: 8-weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Measured on a calibrated scale
• Lipid panel [ Time Frame: 8-weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Total cholesterol, TG, HDL, LDL, ratio
• Insulin [ Time Frame: 8-weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Serum insulin

Dehydrated fruit and vegetable concentrates provide an accessible form of phytonutrient supplementation that may offer cardioprotective effects. This study assessed the effects of encapsulated fruit and vegetable juice powder concentrates on endothelial function and cardiac risk markers in subjects in a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled crossover clinical trial with three treatment arms.

• Dietary Supplement: Blend 1
  Blend 1 consists of a combination of Juice Plus+® Orchard (Fruit), Garden (Vegetable), and Vineyard (Berry) blends
  Other Name: Juice Plus+® Orchard, Garden, Vineyard
• Dietary Supplement: Blend 2
  Blend 2 consists of a combination of Juice Plus+® Orchard (Fruit) and Garden (Vegetable) blends
  Other Name: Juice Plus+® Orchard, Garden
• Dietary Supplement: Placebo
  Placebo capsules are provided by the study sponsor and are identical in appearance to active treatments to ensure blinding.

• Placebo Comparator: Placebo
  Placebo capsules are provided by the study sponsor and are identical in appearance to active treatments to ensure blinding.
  Intervention: Dietary Supplement: Placebo
• Experimental: Blend 2
  Blend 2 - combination of Juice Plus+® Orchard (Fruit) and Garden (Vegetable) blends
  Intervention: Dietary Supplement: Blend 2
• Experimental: Blend 1
  Blend 1 - combination of Juice Plus+® Orchard (Fruit), Garden (Vegetable), and Vineyard (Berry) blends
  Intervention: Dietary Supplement: Blend 1

Inclusion Criteria:

• metabolic syndrome defined by AHA/NHLBI criteria
• nonsmoker
• not taking any other vitamins or dietary supplements
• able to have blood pressure measured bilaterally at the brachial artery

Exclusion Criteria:

• any unstable medical condition that would limit the ability to participate fully in the trial
• rheumatologic disease requiring regular use of NSAIDs
• preexisting cardiovascular disease
• diagnosed eating disorder
• inability to complete endothelial function assessment.
• use of insulin, glucose sensitizing medication, vasoactive medications (including glucocorticoids, antineoplastic agents, psychoactive agents, or bronchodilators), nutriceuticals, fiber supplements, and tobacco.