During menopause, defined as the cessation of menstrual bleeding, numerous metabolic changes take place. The postmenopausal period is characterized by, for instance, a drop in the levels of estradiol and highdensity lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and an increase in body weight (often with fat accumulating in the stomach area) and an increase in the concentrations of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol or very-low-density lipoprotein and triglycerides (TG). The postmenopausal period is also diabetogenic, manifesting as decreased glucose tolerance.
Each of these elements contributes to atherosclerotic processes and is a component of a potentially life-threatening or health-threatening disorder called the metabolic syndrome. Thus, intervention
is necessary ...
Source: The Journal of The North American Menopause Society; Vol. 22, No. 11, pp. 1215-1223
