MENOPAUSE AND CHOLESTEROL – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

18 Nov

What?? Hot flushes AND high cholesterol. What is going on?

As we go through menopause, our oestrogen levels drop, which can mean your previously “great cholesterol” keeps creeping up, which increases your risk of heart disease and stroke

Before menopause, oestrogen helps protect women from heart disease — that’s one reason why women tend to develop heart issues later than men. But after menopause, that natural protection fades, and cholesterol levels often shift in an unhealthy direction

OK… but why NOW?

Before menopause oestrogen works to

increase HDL [the one that removes cholesterol from our blood vessels]
decrease LDL [the one that can block our blood vessels]
regulates trigylcerides [the type of fat your body stores for energy.]

During perimenopause and menopause oestrogen levels are dropping.

This leads to

LESS good cholesterol

MORE bad cholesterol

AND

HIGHER RISK OF HEART DISEASE

So, what can I do?

Know your numbers… ask your doctor to check your lipids

You can’t stop menopause but you CAN lower your risk

Eat a balanced diet [low in processed carbs, rich in fibre, healthy fats]

Not a replacement for healthy habits or meds, but some women use:

Omega-3s (fish oil) – may lower triglycerides

Plant sterols/stanols – reduce LDL

Flaxseed, berberine, green tea extract, garlic – small effects, may help some people

Stay active (a mix of cardio and strength training)

Prioritize sleep and stress management — both affect hormones and blood sugar

What about HRT?

HRT helps with symptoms of menopause

It is not recommended just to lower cholesterol

HRT may help reducing heart disease if started before the age of 60 and within 10 years of menopause

Come in and chat about your cholesterol with a JUNO doctor. We can help you manage your perimenopausal heart health needs

WHERE DOES MY BLOOD CHOLESTEROL COME FROM?

Your blood cholesterol comes from 2 main sources

1. Your Liver – about 75% to 80%

Your liver makes most of your cholesterol naturally.
Cholesterol is essential — your body uses it to build cells, make hormones (like oestrogen), and produce vitamin D.
Even if you ate no cholesterol at all, your liver would still make what you need.

2. Your Diet – about 20% to 25%

Some cholesterol comes from the food you eat, especially:

Animal products (like eggs, meat, cheese, butter)

Foods high in saturated or trans fats — these don’t contain cholesterol but raise your liver’s production of it.

Even though dietary cholesterol only makes up a small portion of your total cholesterol levels, your diet still matters a lot.

OK, if my diet is only part of the problem, why does it matter?

That’s because:

Saturated fats and trans fats tell your liver to make more cholesterol
Some people (called hyper-responders) are more sensitive to dietary cholesterol
Poor diet can lead to insulin resistance, weight gain, and higher LDL & triglycerides

So to wrap it up…..

Most of your blood cholesterol comes from your liver

Your diet and lifestyle affect how much your liver produces and how your body processes cholesterol, so, even though you don’t eat most of your cholesterol, what you eat can still make a big difference in your heart health.

Come in and chat about your cholesterol concerns with a JUNO doctor.