The “Indulgent Mindset” and Its Influence on Cardiometabolic Biomarkers Within Adult Women
Presentation Type
Poster
Presentation Type
Submission
Keywords
MIND diet, mindset, cardiometabolic markers
Department
Nutritional Science
Major
Biology BS
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of morbidity in adult women, with recent research suggesting an influence of psychological factors on physiological risk metabolic pathways. This study will investigate the influence of an “indulgent mindset” intervention among individuals consuming a Mediterranean-DASH for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet, on cardiovascular biomarkers. Using MyFood24 (myfood24.org, participants (n=37) recorded baseline 3-day food diaries (2 weekdays, 1 weekend day), representative of typical food and beverage intake. The food diaries were scored for MIND diet adherence. Participants completed at-home metabolic testing using the Iollo Comprehensive Test (iollo.com) and Genova Diagnostics microbiome testing (gdx.net/gut-health). Participants then self-selected into an intervention or a non-intervention group. Both groups met via zoom once a month over the six-month period. The intervention group received structured instructional material and engaged in activities meant to reframe healthy eating as satisfactory and pleasurable. The non-intervention group received no exposure to intervention materials and instead participated in 15-minute unstructured discussions within the group, with no engagement from the research investigators. Post-intervention, all participants repeated the 3-day food diaries and at-home metabolic testing. Cardiometabolic biomarkers dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), arachidonic acid, eicosadienoic acid, homocysteine, methionine, betaine, trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), and ceramide ratios (d18:0/16:0, d18:1/18:0, d18:1/20:0, d18:1/25:0, d18:2/22:0) will be studied pre- and post-intervention. Analysis will also account for patient demographics (race/ethnicity, age, body mass index, and blood pressure) as well as self-reported lifestyle factors (sleep, physical activity/exercise, and alcohol consumption).
Faculty Mentor
Susan E. Helm, PhD
Location
Waves Cafeteria
Start Date
10-4-2026 1:00 PM
End Date
10-4-2026 2:00 PM
The “Indulgent Mindset” and Its Influence on Cardiometabolic Biomarkers Within Adult Women
Waves Cafeteria
Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of morbidity in adult women, with recent research suggesting an influence of psychological factors on physiological risk metabolic pathways. This study will investigate the influence of an “indulgent mindset” intervention among individuals consuming a Mediterranean-DASH for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet, on cardiovascular biomarkers. Using MyFood24 (myfood24.org, participants (n=37) recorded baseline 3-day food diaries (2 weekdays, 1 weekend day), representative of typical food and beverage intake. The food diaries were scored for MIND diet adherence. Participants completed at-home metabolic testing using the Iollo Comprehensive Test (iollo.com) and Genova Diagnostics microbiome testing (gdx.net/gut-health). Participants then self-selected into an intervention or a non-intervention group. Both groups met via zoom once a month over the six-month period. The intervention group received structured instructional material and engaged in activities meant to reframe healthy eating as satisfactory and pleasurable. The non-intervention group received no exposure to intervention materials and instead participated in 15-minute unstructured discussions within the group, with no engagement from the research investigators. Post-intervention, all participants repeated the 3-day food diaries and at-home metabolic testing. Cardiometabolic biomarkers dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), arachidonic acid, eicosadienoic acid, homocysteine, methionine, betaine, trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), and ceramide ratios (d18:0/16:0, d18:1/18:0, d18:1/20:0, d18:1/25:0, d18:2/22:0) will be studied pre- and post-intervention. Analysis will also account for patient demographics (race/ethnicity, age, body mass index, and blood pressure) as well as self-reported lifestyle factors (sleep, physical activity/exercise, and alcohol consumption).