- A Mediterranean diet and nutritional supplements were associated with better cholesterol in women in peri and menopause.
- The study participants benefited from taking omega-3 fatty acid and plant sterol nutritional supplements.
- The results are promising, but early – longer studies are required for confirmation.
A small pilot study suggests that the combination of a Mediterranean diet with nutritional supplements that contain phytosterole and omega-3 fatty acids can help improve cholesterol and reduce body fat in women in menopause.
Research publishes in Limits in nutritionThe menopause and perimenopausal women followed, who adapt a nutrition plan in the Mediterranean in style and have added two daily nutritional supplements. One was a formula based on the based phytosterol base, which contained bergamot, spiky pear extract and vitamin B1. The other was an omega-3 fatty acid supplement, which was recommended due to its cardiovascular advantages. After just a few months, the participants showed improvements in cholesterol and body composition.
The menopause is often associated with hormonal and metabolic changes that increase cholesterol levels, increase the belly fat and increase the cardiovascular risk. Heart diseases are the most common cause of death for women, and the management of cholesterol is an important part of prevention.
The Mediterranean diet – built over vegetables, fruit, legumes, whole grains, olive oil and fish – has long been associated with heart health. Phytosterole or plant sterols as well as omega-3 are also known for the support of cholesterol levels and triglycerides. This study found whether the combination of nutrition with these nutritional supplements could offer additional support during the menopause transfer.
How was the study carried out?
The Italian team of studies examined 14 women, of whom 9 menopause (with an average age of around 60) and 5 perimenopausal (with an average age of around 53 years). All of them were under the care of a nutritionist for nutritional interventions due to high cholesterol and weight management. At the beginning, none of the participants took lipid -reducing medication or nutritional supplements. Together with two nutritional supplements, each woman received a personalized Mediterranean nutrition plan.
The women were persecuted for two to seven months. During this time, researchers measured cholesterol, triglycerides, body weight, waist size and total body composition.
What did the study find?
At the beginning, the women had an average BMI of around 27 and placed most of them in the category of overweight or obese category. Their cholesterol profiles showed a high cholesterol cholesterol and LDL cholesterol and a low cholesterol level with low HDL (“good”). About one of five of the menopausal participants also had increased triglycerides.
After just a few months in the Mediterranean nutrition plan and the two nutritional supplements, the women showed clear improvements over several key markers. The total cholesterol and the LDL cholesterol fell, while the HDL cholesterol increases considerably.
The HDL growths were particularly fascinating -up to 65% in menopause and 58% for women with perimenopausal women. These increases are clinically meaningful, since low HDL is regarded as a risk factor for metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. Many women also improved their total cholesterol-to-HDL ratio and lowered it to an area associated with better heart disease prevention.
The researchers also analyzed triglycerides, but the most consistent improvements were observed in cholesterol and conditions.
The changes were not limited to blood tests. On average, women lost body fat, cut their waist and lowered their BMI. Her waist-to-hip conditions also improved, which indicates a healthier pattern of fat distribution. In some cases, the body fat mass dropped by almost a third during the investigation period.
As with all studies, this certainly has its limits – the mall size is an important one. This study was also carried out in Italy with a group of Italian participants, so it is difficult to say how applicable the results could be for other groups.
How does that apply to real life?
Although it was a small pilot study, the results have been corresponding to the experts for years: the Mediterranean diet is one of the best for heart health. Building meals around vegetables, fruit, beans, wholemeal products, olive oil and fish can make a large contribution to keeping cholesterol levels in check.
Dietary supplements such as phytosterols and omega-3 can give an additional thrust, especially during menopause. Improvements were observed in this study, although none of the women have cholesterol-lowering medication-and it fought that nutrition and nutritional supplements can make a measurable difference.
That means they are not magical pills. How well they work depends on your general nutrition, your lifestyle and even your genetics. It is also important to remember the restrictions: This study only included 14 women, did not use a control group and only ran for a few months. The results are promising, but very provisional. Larger, longer studies are required to know whether this combination really makes a lasting difference.
Our expert
A Mediterranean nutritional pattern remains one of the most reliable opportunities to support heart health. Like those in the study, dietary supplements may offer additional advantages, but they should be regarded as a supplement – not as a replacement for – uniform eating and lifestyle habits. A medical specialist can help to determine whether these options fit into a person’s overall prevention plan.
