Encouraging effects of a short-term, adapted Nordic diet intervention on skin microvascular function and skin oxygen tension in younger and older adults

Objective: Microvascular benefits of regional diets are appearing in the literature however little is known about Nordic-type diets. We investigated the effects of short-term adapted Nordic diet on microvascular function in younger and older individuals at rest and during activity. Research Method &amp; Procedures: Thirteen young [Mean: 28, SD: (5)] and fifteen older participants [Mean: 68, SD: (6)] consumed a modified Nordic diet for four weeks. Laser Doppler Flowmetry and Transcutaneous oxygen monitoring assessed cutaneous microvascular function and oxygen tension pre and post-intervention; blood pressure, body mass, body-fat%, ratings of perceived exertion and peak heart rate during activity were examined concurrently. Results: Axon-mediated vasodilation improved in older participants [1.17 (0.30) to 1.30 (0.30); P < 0.05]. Improvements in endothelium-dependent vasodilation were noted in young [1.67 (0.50) to 2.03 (0.62); P < 0.05] and older participants [1.49 (0.37) to 1.63 (0.39); P < 0.05]. Reduced peak heart rate during activity was noted in older participants only [36.5(8.9) to 35.3(8.5); P < 0.05] and reduced body-fat % in young participants only [young = 27.2 (8.3) to 25.2 (8.8); P < 0.05]. No other variables reached statistical significance however trends were observed. Conclusions: We observed statistically-significant improvements in microvascular function, peak heart rate and body composition. Following an adapted Nordic diet might improve microvascular health. Keywords Nordic Diet; Laser Doppler Flowmetry; Oxygen Tension