Supplementing With DHA Important for Menopausal Women

by | Jan 17, 2012 | 2004, Cardiovascular Health, DHA, Menopause, Women's Health

Written by Jessica Patella, ND. DHA supplementation was associated with a 20% decrease in triglyceride levels, an 8% increase in HDL levels, a 28% decrease in the triglyceride:HDL ratio, and a 7% decrease in heart rate in 32 menopausal women.

Menopausal women are at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and have higher levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL or “bad cholesterol” and lower levels of HDL or “good cholesterol” (1). It is believed this is due to lower levels of hormones (estradiol and estrone) that play a role in fat metabolism in the liver (2). Yet, research has shown hormone replacement therapy (HRT) increases triglyceride levels and the risk for cardiovascular disease (3,4,5).

The liver is the main source of blood cholesterol and site of cholesterol metabolism (5). During liver metabolism, the omega-3 oil docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is converted to another form of omega-3 oil, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). This means by supplementing with DHA only, researchers are able to determine how well the liver is metabolizing fats by testing EPA levels in the blood (5).

The first research study to examine the cardiovascular effects of supplementing DHA in post-menopausal women included 18 women on HRT and 14 women not taking HRT (5). The participants were randomized to receive either 2.8g DHA per day or placebo for 28 days. Then all participants completed a 6-week washout period, meaning no supplements were taken. This was followed by another 28 days, during which the women received the opposite supplement (DHA or placebo) from what they took for the first 28 days (5).

Before beginning the study, women receiving HRT had 90% higher triglyceride levels, 104% higher triglyceride:HDL ratio and 165% higher C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, which is a marker of cardiovascular disease, compared to the women not taking HRT (p=0.057). This supports  findings in previous research that HRT increases the risk for cardiovascular disease (3,4,5).

After completing the study, all women showed improvement with DHA supplementation. DHA supplementation was associated with a 20% decrease in triglyceride levels, an 8% increase in HDL levels, a 28% decrease in the triglyceride:HDL ratio, and a 7% decrease in heart rate (5) (P<0.05).

DHA supplementation increased EPA concentrations significantly more in women not taking HRT (from 1.12 +/- 0.09% to 1.78 +/- 0.11% by weight) than in women taking HRT (from 0.091 +/- 0.06% to 1.27 +/- 0.06% by weight) (5). These findings indicate that HRT may affect liver fat metabolism (5).

In conclusion, DHA supplementation in post-menopausal women was associated with decreases in cardiovascular disease risk factors by decreasing triglyceride levels, increasing HDL levels, decreasing the triglyceride: HDL ratio, and decreasing heart rate in this small test group. HRT may also decrease liver fat metabolism, but further research still needs to be conducted.  These results indicate DHA  supplementation may be favorable in postmenopausal women (5).

Source: Stark, Ken D., and Bruce J. Holub. “Differential eicosapentaenoic acid elevations and altered cardiovascular disease risk factor responses after supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid in postmenopausal women receiving and not receiving hormone replacement therapy.” The American journal of clinical nutrition 79.5 (2004): 765-773.

© 2004 American Society for Clinical Nutrition

Posted January 17, 2012.

References:

  1. Spencer CP, et al. Is there a menopausal metabolic syndrome? Gynecol Endocrinol 1997;11:341–55.
  2. Yen SS. The biology of menopause. J Reprod Med 1977;18:287–96.
  3. Hulley S, et al Randomized trial of estrogen plus progestin for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease in postmenopausal women. Heart and Estrogen/Progestin Replacement Study (HERS) Research Group. JAMA 1998;280:605–13.
  4. Ridker PM. Clinical application of C-reactive protein for cardiovascular disease detection and prevention. Circulation 2003;107:363–9.
  5. Stark K, Holub B. Differential eicosapentaenoic acid elevations and altered cardiovascular disease risk factor responses after supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid in postmenopausal women receiving and not receiving hormone replacement therapy.  Am J Clin Nutr 2004; 79: 765-73.