Purpose:

The number of cases of adults with Type 2 diabetes has quadrupled since 1980. This increase in the number of cases of diabetes is attributed to changes in dietary patterns, which include an increase in the consumption of obesogenic foods such as sugary foods and beverages. Patients with diabetes or at risk for diabetes are more likely to develop a cardiovascular event. Though glycemic control remains the basis of diabetes care, the co-management of atherosclerosis, hypertension and cardiovascular risk reduction, and prevention of long-term consequences are also important predictable measures to improve survival. The progression from prediabetes to Type 2 diabetes and complications of diabetes could be prevented. Lifestyle interventions (i.e., nutrition and physical activity) are the cornerstone for the primary prevention of Type 2 diabetes. Healthful eating can also improve cardio-metabolic risk factors associated with those at risk for or Type 2 diabetes. Foods that are low in fat and calories and high in fiber, with a focus on fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and the inclusion of healthful oils in their diets are typically recommended to prevent the progression from prediabetes to diabetes and complications of diabetes. Diets rich in mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids have been shown to improve cardio-metabolic health in those at risk for or with Type 2 diabetes patients. However, the effect of olive oils on endothelial function (a surrogate marker of cardiovascular risk) in adults at risk for Type 2 diabetes is controversial. Refined olive oils lack important antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Extra virgin olive oils have relatively higher levels of some minor phenolic compounds, and more naturally-occurring minerals and vitamins found in olives, that are essential to improve cardio-metabolic risk factors in those at risk for or with Type 2 diabetes. We propose a prospective, randomized, controlled crossover study to assess the post-prandial effects of extra virgin olive oil, versus post-prandial effects of a refined olive oil, on endothelial function and blood pressure in adults at risk for Type 2 diabetes.

Specific Aims To assess the post-prandial effect of extra virgin olive oil on endothelial function, measured as flow mediated dilatation, in adults at risk for Type 2 diabetes. Specifically, to demonstrate at least a 3.5% improvement in endothelial function following the consumption of a meal with 50 mL of extra virgin olive oil, compared with a meal with 50 mL of refined olive oil, in individuals at risk for Type 2 diabetes.

To assess the post-prandial effect of extra virgin olive oil on blood pressure in adults at risk for Type 2 diabetes. Specifically, to demonstrate at least 3 mmHg improvements in systolic and diastolic blood pressure after the consumption of a meal with 50 mL of extra virgin olive oil compared with a meal with 50 mL of refined olive oil, in individuals at risk for Type 2 diabetes.

Hypotheses Consumption of a meal with extra virgin olive oil compared with a meal with refined olive oil will show superior benefits in endothelial function in adults at risk for Type 2 diabetes.

Consumption of a meal with extra virgin olive oil compared with a meal with refined olive oil will show better improvement in blood pressure in adults at risk for Type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes is a public health problem of epidemic proportions. According to the 2017 National Diabetes Statistics Report, 30 million people, or 9.4% of the U.S. population, are estimated to have diabetes, of which 23.1 million people are diagnosed. About 84.1 million people, or 1 in 3 people in the U.S., are estimated to have prediabetes, yet only 1 out 10 people with prediabetes is aware that they have this condition. Of those with prediabetes, 15-30% are likely to develop Type 2 diabetes within 5 years. The total medical costs and lost work and wages for people with diagnosed diabetes is about $245 billion, with the medical costs for people with diabetes being twice as high as for those without diabetes. The risk of death in individuals with diabetes is more than 50% higher than for adults without diabetes. Type 2 diabetes accounts for about 90% to 95% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S. Diabetes complications include cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke, hypertension, blindness, kidney disease, nervous system damage, limb amputations, and biochemical imbalances that can cause acute life-threatening events. Rates of cardiovascular mortality are 2 to 4 times higher among adults with diabetes than among those without diabetes.

Epidemiological and cohort studies show a clear and consistent correlation of hyperglycemia with CVD. High glucose activates a pro-atherogenic phenotype in the vessel wall of endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, inflammatory cells, fibroblasts, and platelets, leading to a feed-forward atherogenic response. Diets with a low glycemic load have been reported to improve serum lipid profiles, reduce C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and aid in weight control. In cross-sectional studies, they have been associated with higher levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), with reduced CRP concentrations, and, in cohort studies, with decreased risk of developing diabetes and CVD. Insulin resistance may also contribute to high blood pressure, increased triglycerides and LDL cholesterol, and reduced levels of HDL cholesterol. While glycemic control remains a cornerstone of diabetes care, the co-management of hypertension, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular risk reduction, and prevention of long-term consequences are also recognized as essential to improve long-term survival.

The cornerstone of the management and prevention of Type 2 diabetes is lifestyle intervention. Prior studies have shown an association between improvement in cardio-metabolic health and diets rich in olive oils. Low glycemic index foods are typically recommended for patients with Type 2 diabetes or at risk for Type 2 diabetes. Extra virgin olive oil is a nutrient-dense food with a low glycemic index. It is rich in mono-unsaturated fatty acids that are vital to improve cardio-metabolic risk factors in those at risk for Type 2 diabetes. Among all the oils, olive oils have a relatively high content of monounsaturated fatty acids. Diets rich in mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids have shown favorable effects on cardiovascular health, glycemic control, insulin sensitivity, and lipid profile. All olive oils, (inclusive of extra virgin olive oil), have a relatively higher amount of monounsaturated fatty acids. While refined olive oils lack important antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, extra virgin olive oils specifically contains relatively higher levels of some minor phenolic compounds, along with more naturally-occurring minerals and vitamins found in olives that have favorable effects on cardio-metabolic health. Therefore, the inclusion of extra virgin olive oil in the diets of adults at risk for Type 2 diabetes is likely to confer better cardio-metabolic health benefits than a refined olive oil. Some oils improve, and some impair, endothelial function. Published studies have said both about olive oils, probably because the status and caliber of the olive oils was not always specified. We therefore propose to differentiate 'good' from 'bad' olive oils, and to show that extra virgin olive oils have decisively beneficial effects, while those effects are attenuated or lost as the oil is degraded. Specifically, proposed is a randomized crossover controlled trial to assess the impact of extra virgin olive oil, as compared with refined olive oil, on endothelial function in adults at risk for Type 2 diabetes.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Male and female age 25-75 years;
2. non-smokers;
3. post-menopausal females not currently on hormone replacement therapy;
4. at risk for Type 2 diabetes as defined by meeting at least one of the criteria listed below: (a) metabolic syndrome, i.e. meet 3 out of 5 of the following criteria: (i) blood pressure >130/85 mmHg or currently taking antihypertensive medication; (ii) fasting plasma glucose (FPG) >100 mg/dL (6.1 mmol/L); (iii) serum triglycerides level (TG)>150 mg/dL (1.69 mmol/L); (iv) high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol < 40 mg/dL (1.04 mmol/L) in men, and < 50 mg/dL (1.29 mmol/L) in women; (v) overweight (body mass index, or BMI ≥25kg/m²) with waist circumference of more than 40 inches (102 cm) for men and more than 35 inches (88 cm) for women; (b) fasting blood glucose >100mg/dL and <126mg/dL or hemoglobin A1C 5.7-6.4 %.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. failure to meet inclusion criteria;
2. anticipated inability to complete study protocol for any reason;
3. current eating disorder;
4. use of insulin, glucose-sensitizing medication, vasoactive medication (including glucocorticoids, antineoplastic agents, psychoactive agents, or bronchodilators) or nutraceuticals;
5. regular use of fiber supplements;
6. diabetes;
7. sleep apnea;
8. restricted diets by choice (e.g., vegetarian, vegan);
9. coagulopathy, known bleeding diathesis, or history of clinically significant hemorrhage, or current use of warfarin;
10. regular exercise as defined by participating in moderate-intensity > 150 minutes/week.