The Importance of Nutrition in Menopause and Perimenopause-A Review

• Published in: Nutrients Vol. 16; no. 1; p. 27
• Main Authors: Erdélyi, Aliz, Pálfi, Erzsébet, Tűű, László, Nas, Katalin, Szűcs, Zsuzsanna, Török, Marianna, Jakab, Attila, Várbíró, Szabolcs
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 21.12.2023; MDPI
• Subjects: Alfacalcidol; Body composition; Breast cancer; Calcifediol; Calories; Cardiovascular diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases - prevention & control; cardiovascular risk; Chronic illnesses; Development and progression; Diabetes; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Diet; dietetics; Disease prevention; Energy consumption; Exercise; Female; Females; healthy lifestyle; Humans; Infectious diseases; Insulin resistance; Lifestyles; Menopause; Menstruation; Metabolism; Middle age; Nervous system; Nutrition; nutritional status; Obesity; Osteoporosis; Osteoporosis - prevention & control; Perimenopause; Physical fitness; Prevention; Review; Risk factors; Type 2 diabetes; Vitamin D; Vitamins; Weight control; Womens health; Hungary; nutritional status; menopause; dietetics; medical nutrition therapy; perimenopause; cardiovascular risk; healthy lifestyle; healthy eating guidelines
• ISSN: 2072-6643; 2072-6643
• DOI: 10.3390/nu16010027

Menopause is associated with an increased prevalence of obesity, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, and osteoporosis. These diseases and unfavorable laboratory values, which are characteristic of this period in women, can be significantly improved by eliminating and reducing dietary risk factors. Changing dietary habits during perimenopause is most effectively achieved through nutrition counseling and intervention. To reduce the risk factors of all these diseases, and in the case of an already existing disease, dietary therapy led by a dietitian should be an integral part of the treatment. The following review summarizes the recommendations for a balanced diet and fluid intake, the dietary prevention of cardiovascular diseases, the role of sleep, and the key preventive nutrients in menopause, such as vitamin D, calcium, vitamin C, B vitamins, and protein intake. In summary, during the period of perimenopause and menopause, many lifestyle factors can reduce the risk of developing all the diseases (cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, and tumors) and symptoms characteristic of this period.