Restoring Glycocalyx Thickness in Older Adults to Improve Vascular Function

Inclusion criteria

• Age 60-85 years
• Able to undergo cardiovascular testing procedures including fasting overnight and holding selected morning medication doses.
• Ability to understand and willingness to sign a written informed consent document.
• Ability to lie comfortably for up to 90 minutes
• Women only: Post-menopausal

Exclusion criteria

• Current or history of CVD disease (heart attack, stroke, heart failure, cardiomyopathy or peripheral artery disease, heart angioplasty/stent or bypass surgery, valve replacement, carotid endarterectomy, heart transplant.
• Medical history of stroke or other neurological disorder or systemic illness that could potentially affect cognition or brain function (outside of a diagnosis of MCI, Alzheimer's Disease) or could affect their safety or comfort while undergoing the imaging or cardiovascular studies.
• Subjects with evidence of cardiovascular disease at baseline or during the exercise test (evidence of myocardial infarction, abnormal cardiac arrhythmia, myocardial ischemia, conduction delays, >1mm ST segment depression or elevation; >3 beat ventricular tachycardia; atrial fibrillation) will be excluded from the study.
• Wilson's disease, hemochromatosis
• Individuals taking clonidine or other short-acting beta blocker
• Resting blood pressure > 149 mmHg systolic and/or 99mmHg diastolic
• BMI > 40 kg/m2
• Medical history of chronic major psychiatric or current diagnosis of major psychiatric disease (other than dementia).
• Unable to provide informed consent due to cognitive impairment
• Current clinically abnormal thyroid function not adequately regulated by thyroid hormone supplementation or medication.
• Allergic to olives, artichokes, grapes or melons
• Current tobacco user or history of tobacco use within the past 3 months (cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, hookah, electronic cigarettes) or living with someone who smokes/has smoked in the past 3 months.
• Current diagnosis of diabetes (Type I or insulin dependent Type II)
• Current diagnosis of COPD, cystic fibrosis, emphysema, chronic bronchitis
• History of renal failure, dialysis or kidney transplant
• Current diagnosis or history of liver disease or HIV/AIDS, or cancer requiring chemotherapy or radiation.
• Current diagnosis or history of rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Wegener's granuomatosis
• Vulnerable populations (prisoners, etc) will not be eligible.
• Unwillingness to wash out from a vitamin or dietary supplement regime prior to enrollment and maintain throughout the duration of the study.
• Inability to comply with experimental instructions.
• Uncontrolled intercurrent illness that would limit compliance with study requirements per investigator.
• Inability to fast or hold morning medications doses until after testing is complete.
• Hormone replacement use within the past 6 months
• Currently enrolled in another study using an study medication, supplement, device or intervention.
• Initiation of a new prescription medication or change in dose/frequency in the past three months. Individuals will be become eligible after the medication/dose/frequency has been stable for 3 months.