Impact of Diet on Serum Lipids, Atherogenic Index of Plasma and Non HDL-c in Pre and Postmenopausal Women

Abstract

Introduction: Menopause is an inevitable phase of a woman’s natural ageing process, marked by cessation of ovarian function. Hormonal changes during the phase causes derangement of lipid metabolism and thereby increasing cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women. Diet plays a major role in influencing serum lipids. Aim: To determine and compare lipid profile, Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP) and non High-Density Lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c) in pre and postmenopausal women based on vegetarian and non vegetarian diet. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was comprised of 92 women (46 were premenopausal and 46 were postmenopausal) carried out at AJ Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Mangaluru, Karnataka, India between December 2019-May 2020. The groups were further divided into vegetarian and non vegetarians. Fasting lipid profile was determined by enzymatic methods. AIP and non HDL levels were calculated. Comparison of means between two groups was done using student t-test. Association between categorical variables was analysed using Chi-square test. Statistical significance was considered at p<0.05. Results: Serum Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglycerides (TG), Low-Density Lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c), Very Low-Density Lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-c), AIP and non HDL-c levels were LDL-c and HDL-c was high (184.09±17.49, 131.96±9.49, 106.00±20.92, 26.46±1.96, 0.05±0.07, 132.45±22.39 and 51.64±5.88, respectively) in vegetarians compared to non vegetarians in premenopausal women. In postmenopausal women, similar pattern was observed with regards to serum TC, TG, LDL-c, VLDL-c, AIP, non HDL-c and HDL-c in vegetarians and non vegetarians (p<0.05). An alarming proportion of non vegetarian postmenopausal women showed “very high” TC (91.3%), “low” HDL-c (56.5%), “very high” LDL-c (69.6%) and “high-risk” AIP (91.3%). Conclusion: The findings of this study indicated that all lipid parameters, AIP and non HDL-c were higher in non vegetarians except HDL-c in pre and postmenopausal women. Relevant dietary recommendations can be given to premenopausal women to promote positive health outcomes and alleviate cardiovascular risk.