ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: An important aetiopathogenetic factor leading to menopausal age pathologies (such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and so on) is certainly represented by the worsening of lipid dismetabolism. This condition is generally characterized by an increase in total mean cholesterol levels, LDL-cholesterol (low density lipoprotein-cholesterol), VLDL-cholesterol (very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol), triglycerides, with reduction of HDL-cholesterol (high density lipoprotein-cholesterol) mean levels. All these metabolic modifications are triggered or increased by the hypoestrogenemia typical of postmenopausal age. The aim of our study was to evaluate the influence on postmenopausal women's lipid metabolism of a low contribution of animal saturated fat diets, associated with physical training. METHODS: We enrolled in our study 36 mild hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal women (non smokers and not complaining of hypertension and diabetes) and we put them through aerobic training, consisting of 1 hour of a light continuous run, repeated 4 times per week. The final control of their metabolic status and of their lipid order was executed after 6 months, but during this period, all the women were observed bi-weekly or monthly, to assure a high uniform compliance in the group. None of the women enrolled took specific drugs for the lipid metabolism during the study. RESULTS: After 6 months from the beginning of the diet, with associated physical training, an important weight loss was observed. Increases of HDL-cholesterol mean levels (p<0.05) associated with a decrease of total cholesterol mean levels (p<0.05) were reported in all the subject examined. A statistically non-significant decrease in LDL and VLDL cholesterol mean levels was also noticed. CONCLUSIONS: A mild lipid dysmetabolism in postmenopause may be corrected advantageously by an opportune diet associated with moderate, but constant, physical training.
