Effect of Whole-grape Powder on Body Composition, Fat and Bone Serum Biomarkers in Postmenopausal Women

Research Procedures

Inclusion Criteria:

• Clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease
• Must be able to swallow tablets

Exclusion Criteria:

• Insulin dependent diabetes
• Thyroid disease

Potential female participants, ages 47 to 63, will contact the PI via e-mail or phone to express interest. The PI will recite a verbal script over the phone or via email. Participants who qualify will make appointments with the researchers in Exercise and Sports Nutrition Clinic in the Institute for Women's Health, HDB 011, on the Texas Woman's University Denton campus to ask any questions and sign the informed consent. Once the questions are answered and informed consent is signed, participants will complete the following questionnaires:

Demographic information questionnaire. This identifies and characterizes each participant (Appendix C).

Health history questionnaire. The purpose of the health history questionnaire is to verify the #6) medical history and physical fitness level of the participant (Appendix D). Participants with a history of any type of diseases such as diabetes (requiring or not requiring insulin) that will cause interfere with this research study will be screened out.

Diet history questionnaire (DHQ). This questionnaire lists the participants' other sources of phytochemicals and evaluate nutrient intake (Appendix E).

Three-day dietary intake. This self-administered assessment is used to record intake of fruit and vegetables, describing the amount, time, and effect of grape powder/placebo consumption 3 days per week, including 2 weekdays and one weekend day each week, for 12 weeks (Appendix F).

Body Composition Assessment Body composition measurements will be taken to assess the participant's percentage of fat and lean tissue. The height (to the nearest 0.1 cm) and weight (to the nearest 0.1 kg) of participants will be measured with a floor-standing Perspective Enterprises stadiometer and a calibrated electronic scale (Tanita scale), respectively, in Exercise and Sport Nutrition Clinic (HDB 011). In addition, waist circumference will be measured. The waist-to-hip ratio at the minimal waist and maximal hip locations will be measured with a Lufkin (W606PM) steel measuring tape (cm). The height (m) and weight (kg) will be used to measure the participant's body mass index (BMI = weight (kg)/height2 (m2)). The participants will be randomized by Body Mass Index (BMI) into two equal groups. Each group will have 20 participants. One group will receive the grape powder supplement and the second group will receive a placebo.

Participants will undergo a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan (model DPX-IQ, Lunar Prodigy Advance, PA +302666, GE Medical Systems Pewaukee, WI) in Institute for Women's Health biochemistry lab (HDB 017). A researcher will measure total bone mineral density, percentages of fat and lean body mass and regional values of the android or gynoid regions. Participants will wear street clothing free of any metal and plastic. While undergoing the DXA scan, participants will remain #10)motionless in the supine position. The personal data's for all the body composition measurement will be collected by the PI.

Blood Draw Participants will be asked to provide fasting blood samples before the beginning of the research period. Twenty five mLs of blood will be obtained in Institute for Women's Health biochemistry lab (HDB 017) by a phlebotomist, who will insert a needle into a vein in the participant's arm. The blood will be collected in a small tube and the serum frozen for later analyses.

Grape and Placebo Powder Supplement One group (treatment group) of 20 participants will receive grape powder (GP) supplement while the other group (placebo control group) of 20 participants will receive placebo powder (P) supplement. The grape powder is equivalent to 2 servings of fresh grapes/day. The placebo is composed of table sugar and will be similar in appearance and energy content to the grape powder. The intake of both groups will be 46 g/day of grape powder (GP) or placebo powder (P) for 12 weeks in a double blinded manner. The grape powder or placebo will be added to water and consumed as a beverage.

On a weekly basis, participants will be contacted via telephone or e-mail to discuss with or participate in question-and-answer sessions with the researchers about the effect of the grape powder supplement or any matter regarding the research progress. Participants will self-report physical activity levels each week for 12 weeks. Also, a diet record of 3 days, including 2 weekdays and one weekend day, will be self-recorded by the participant each week for 12 weeks.

Every two weeks, participants will complete a taste questionnaire for detailed feedback on participants' opinions on the grape powder supplement or placebo (Appendix G).

Repeat Analyses:

Body composition assessments. These procedure previously discussed will be repeated in Exercise and Sport Nutrition Clinic (HDB 011) at the end of 12 weeks.

Blood draw. A phlebotomist will take 25 ml of blood at the end of the 12-week research period in Institute for Women's Health biochemistry lab (HDB 017) for analyses of bone serum biomarkers.