Researchers from the University of Jyväskylä’s Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences have discovered that regular exercise and healthy eating play a crucial role in reducing inflammation in postmenopausal women. The study indicates that women who exhibit unhealthy eating habits and engage in minimal physical activity are at a higher risk of developing metabolic low-grade inflammation, which in turn elevates the likelihood of cardiovascular diseases, particularly after menopause.
Menopause triggers a shift in fat distribution due to declining estrogen levels, leading to the accumulation of visceral fat around the abdomen. This shift not only predisposes women to increased inflammation but also significantly raises the risk of cardiovascular disease, which is more prevalent after menopause.
The University of Jyväskylä study explored the connection between lifestyle behaviors—specifically diet, physical activity, and sleep—and the risk of low-grade inflammation. The research also examined eating disorders, such as restrictive eating patterns aimed at controlling weight or body shape, and their impact on inflammation levels.
The findings reaffirm that higher levels of visceral fat are linked to increased low-grade inflammation, as fat in the abdominal region releases cytokines that promote inflammation. This, in turn, raises the risk of metabolic disorders.
According to Hannamari Lankila, a doctoral researcher at the University of Jyväskylä, individuals with disordered eating habits and low physical activity were found to have higher levels of visceral fat, increasing their risk of inflammation. However, the study also revealed that higher physical activity levels were associated with lower visceral fat, especially in women without eating-related disorders.
“The protective effect of exercise was less pronounced in those with eating difficulties,” Lankila noted. “Surprisingly, sleep did not emerge as a significant factor in this context.”
This study is groundbreaking as it highlights the combined effects of exercise and healthy eating during menopause, a phase in life when women face an elevated risk of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. The research found that both regular physical activity and flexible eating behaviors help reduce visceral fat, but the combination of the two has a more substantial impact on inflammation and overall health.
Lankila concluded, “Even after menopause, it is possible to reduce harmful visceral fat accumulation and lower the risk of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.”
The study used self-report questionnaires to assess participants’ physical activity, sleep quality, and eating behaviors. Participants were women aged 51 to 59 living in Central Finland, with data gathered as part of the EsmiRs study, which ran from 2018 to 2022 at the Gerontology Research Center. Funded by the Academy of Finland and the Juho Vainio Foundation, this research provides valuable insights into how lifestyle choices during menopause can influence long-term health outcomes.
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