Mediterranean Diet Supplemented with Omega-3 Improves Climacteric Symptoms and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Perimenopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

The menopausal transition is marked by various climacteric symptoms related to hormonal fluctuations, which could have a negative impact on health. To evaluate the impact of the MD supplemented with omega-3 on climacteric symptoms and glycemic and lipid profiles in perimenopausal women. Ninety-eight women aged (47 ± 2 years) in menopausal transition with climacteric symptoms received nutritional advice adapted to MD. Subjects were randomized into two groups: a group (n=49) received omega-3 fish oil supplementation at a dose of 1g per day for 60 days, and the second group (n=49) served as the control. The climacteric symptoms were assessed using the (GREENE Scale), and lipid and glycemic profiles at baseline and after 60 days of study initiation. Compared to the control group, we noted a significant decrease in psychological (-39.06%; p≤0.000), physical (-35.23%; p≤0.01), vasomotor symptoms (-47.41%; p≤0.05), and (-39.19%, p≤0.001) in GCS. A significant decrease in body weight (-12,9%; p≤0.001), waist circumference (- 8,82%; p≤0.001), hip circumference (-12,55%; p≤0.001), as well as BMI (-16,46%; p≤0.001) was noted. Compared to the control group, HbA1c concentrations were significantly reduced by (- 13,16 %; p≤0.001), as were glucose concentration (-15,65%; p≤0.01), Total Cholesterol (-26,86 %; p≤0.001), Triglycerides (-25,38%; p≤0.001) and LDL-Cholesterol (-6.5 %; p≤0.01). HDLCholesterol has significantly increased (28,23%; p≤0.001) in the supplemented group. The combination of MD and omega-3 appears to have a beneficial effect on menopausal symptoms and metabolic profile in perimenopausal women. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings. The study showed that MD supplemented with daily omega-3 fish oil reduced climacteric symptoms and glycemic and lipid profiles in women undergoing menopausal transition.