Abstract:
To determine the effects of COCOZEN supplementation on arterial
elasticity in middle-aged and older adults. METHODS: This was a double-blind placebo
controlled trial. Participants were administered either COCOZEN (1.5g/day) or placebo
and underwent assessments of vascular hemodynamics and ultrasonography of the carotid
artery three separate times over eight weeks. RESULTS: No changes were observed for
carotid compliance, distensibility, and β-stiffness index. However, the absolute and
relative changes for carotid compliance and distensibility increased with concomitant
reductions in carotid β-stiffness index (all, p<0.05). Carotid systolic blood pressure
decreased (p<0.05), while no changes were observed for carotid diastolic blood pressure
or carotid pulse pressure (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The COCOZEN-related
improvements in both carotid systolic blood pressure and compliance may be important
for the treatment of chronic vascular disease. Overall, COCOZEN may be effective for
the treatment of age-related vascular dysfunction to lower CVD risk.
