Postdoc Fellowships 2024 - Project 4
Project title: Dietary nitrate and physical exercise to prevent cardiovascular disease in diabetes
Summary
Physical exercise and dietary improvements are key non-pharmacological strategies for metabolic syndrome and diabetes. These lifestyle changes reduce chronic oxidative stress and increase nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. Our research focuses on inorganic nitrate, found in green leafy vegetables and beetroot, which converts to bioactive NO. Studies show nitrate improves cardiovascular function, reducing blood pressure, improving vascular function, and enhancing exercise parameters like mitochondrial efficiency and oxygen utilization. We hypothesize that dietary inorganic nitrate combined with physical exercise will provide significant cardiovascular protection for T2D patients, who are at high risk for CVD. This clinical trial will study the combined effects of structured physical exercise and dietary nitrate supplementation on cardiovascular health in T2D patients.