Increased cholesterol during menopause
Women generally maintain lower cholesterol levels than men. However, when menopause arrives, this trend changes. Why? What causes cholesterol to rise with menopause? In this article we will try to briefly explain the reasons.
Cholesterol types
Cholesterol refers to set of fatty particles in the bodyCholesterol is produced in the liver, although it can also come from certain foods. Thus, the blood carries cholesterol throughout the body through lipoproteins, and these particles can be:
- LDL or low density, which are those that transfer cholesterol from the liver to all cells.
- HDL or high density, which are those that transport unused cholesterol and return it to the liver.
That said, the cholesterol that LCLs carry, LDL-C, is what we usually know as 'bad cholesterol'.
What are the risks of high cholesterol?
In general, it is considered that Cholesterol levels are high when LDL-C exceeds 130 mg/dl, and total cholesterol exceeds 200 mg/dl.That said, high cholesterol can put you at greater risk for cardiovascular disease.
Why does cholesterol increase with menopause?
When the During menopause, women often experience a rise in cholesterol of up to 15%.This is mainly due to the hormonal changes that women undergo, with the resulting drop in estrogen.
Estrogens help keep cholesterol in check. However, when menopause arrives, they decrease, leading to a decrease in HDL cholesterol and an increase in LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol.
However, as explained by the Dr. Juan José Vidal Peláez, Director of the Women's Unit at Ruber International Hospital, there is another important reason that, along with hormonal changes, explains the rise in cholesterol, and that is weight gain.
With the hormonal decline, it is very common for women to experience weight gain, something that should be controlled with a change in eating habits. And as the doctor explains, the body's needs are different, and therefore, during menopause, you shouldn't follow the same type of diet as you would at 20 or 30 years old.
Of course, the doctor also recommends practice physical exercise in a moderate and constant manner, such as walking 30 minutes a day.
In this way, thanks to a healthy diet and exercise, the inevitable rise in cholesterol that comes with the decrease in estrogen can be somewhat combated.
Dietary tips during menopause
- It is important to eat 5 meals a day, so as not to snack between meals, or to eat 3 meals but very copious ones.
- Avoid excessively high-calorie or high-fat foods
- Reduce refined sugars
- Reduce salt
- Reduce consumption of coffee and alcoholic beverages
- Include foods rich in calcium and vitamin D in your diet.
- Increase your intake of phytoestrogens: whole grains, fermented soy, nuts, seeds, etc.
- Include probiotic foods: kefir, sauerkraut, etc.
You can find more information at This article was published in El Confidencial in which the Dr. Vidal.
Related articles
- Menopause and nutrition
- Diet to cope with the symptoms of menopause
- Menopause and climacteric syndrome
If you found this article interesting and would like to be seen by a professional expert in Gynecology and Obstetrics, the Women's Unit at Ruber International Hospital has a specialized unit in this area. You can request more information by calling the following numbers: 91 387 51 72/73/74 or make an appointment for an in-person consultation, always with the best specialists.