pescador775
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Over the years, I've advocated that research be done on physiology of older divers aimed at improving circulation. The notion being that improved blood flow might put the diver in a better position to offgas nitrogen and avoid bends. I've mentioned L arginine and Viagra as possible nitric oxide stimulators and, hence, vessel dilators. Here is another:
>>NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Jun 24 - The results of a study published in the June issue of the American Journal of Hypertension suggest that consumption of dark chocolate may exert a protective effect on the cardiovascular system in healthy subjects.
"Epidemiological studies suggest that high flavonoid intake confers a benefit on cardiovascular outcome," Dr. Charalambos Vlachopoulos, of Athens Medical School in Greece, and colleagues write. "Endothelial function, arterial stiffness, and wave reflection are important determinants of cardiovascular performance and are predictors of cardiovascular risk."
In a randomized, sham-procedure-controlled, crossover study, the researchers examined the effects of flavonoid-rich dark chocolate on the endothelial function, aortic stiffness, wave reflections, and oxidant status of 17 young, healthy volunteers over a 3-h period. The subjects consumed 100 g of a commercially available, procyanidin-rich dark chocolate.
Flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery, aortic augmentation index, and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity were measured, along with plasma levels of malondialdehyde and total antioxidant capacity to evaluate plasma oxidant status.
A significant increase was observed in the flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery at 60 min (absolute increase 1.43%, p < 0.5), the authors report.
Chocolate consumption led to a significant decrease in the aortic augmentation index throughout the study (maximum absolute decrease 7.8%, p < 0.001). This indicated a decrease in wave reflections.
No significant change in pulse wave velocity was observed.
The team also found no significant changes in plasma total antioxidant capacity or malondialdehyde values during chocolate consumption or control session, indicating no alteration in the oxidant status.
"The predominant mechanism appears to be dilation of small and medium-sized peripheral arteries and arterioles," Dr. Vlachopoulos and colleagues suggest.
"The dilatory effect of chocolate under resting conditions (dilation of brachial artery, decrease in wave reflections) can be attributed to improved nitric oxide bioavailability, prostacyclin increase, direct effect on chocolate in smooth muscle cells, or activation of central mechanisms."
Am J Hypertens 2005;18:785-791. <<<<<<<
>>NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Jun 24 - The results of a study published in the June issue of the American Journal of Hypertension suggest that consumption of dark chocolate may exert a protective effect on the cardiovascular system in healthy subjects.
"Epidemiological studies suggest that high flavonoid intake confers a benefit on cardiovascular outcome," Dr. Charalambos Vlachopoulos, of Athens Medical School in Greece, and colleagues write. "Endothelial function, arterial stiffness, and wave reflection are important determinants of cardiovascular performance and are predictors of cardiovascular risk."
In a randomized, sham-procedure-controlled, crossover study, the researchers examined the effects of flavonoid-rich dark chocolate on the endothelial function, aortic stiffness, wave reflections, and oxidant status of 17 young, healthy volunteers over a 3-h period. The subjects consumed 100 g of a commercially available, procyanidin-rich dark chocolate.
Flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery, aortic augmentation index, and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity were measured, along with plasma levels of malondialdehyde and total antioxidant capacity to evaluate plasma oxidant status.
A significant increase was observed in the flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery at 60 min (absolute increase 1.43%, p < 0.5), the authors report.
Chocolate consumption led to a significant decrease in the aortic augmentation index throughout the study (maximum absolute decrease 7.8%, p < 0.001). This indicated a decrease in wave reflections.
No significant change in pulse wave velocity was observed.
The team also found no significant changes in plasma total antioxidant capacity or malondialdehyde values during chocolate consumption or control session, indicating no alteration in the oxidant status.
"The predominant mechanism appears to be dilation of small and medium-sized peripheral arteries and arterioles," Dr. Vlachopoulos and colleagues suggest.
"The dilatory effect of chocolate under resting conditions (dilation of brachial artery, decrease in wave reflections) can be attributed to improved nitric oxide bioavailability, prostacyclin increase, direct effect on chocolate in smooth muscle cells, or activation of central mechanisms."
Am J Hypertens 2005;18:785-791. <<<<<<<
