One year changes in biochemical and redox markers in training menopausal women with adherence to Mediterranean diet

Summary Background Physical activity has a positive influence on healthy state during menopause. Mediterranean diet is an indicator of healthy ageing. The aim of the work was to examine the effectiveness of one year aerobic training in the improvement of biochemical indices of lipid, glucose and oxidative stress status in postmenopausal women who totally adhere to Mediterranean diet. Methods Plasma glucose, lipids, lipoproteins, erythrocyte and plasma redox markers were investigated in 30 training menopausal women and in 35 non-training menopausal women at the beginning and after one year. Results Overall results suggested that aerobic exercise was effective in reducing the concentrations of plasma TG and LDL-C and enhancing HDL-C in training menopausal women. Aerobic exercise was also effective in increasing their antioxidant protection (GSH, catalase, SOD), in decreasing oxidant markers (superoxide anion, MDA, carbonyl proteins) and to prevent oxidative stress-related metabolic diseases. In sedentary women, Mediterranean diet alone was insufficient to prevent the adverse consequences of menopause since their lipoprotein alterations and redox adverse alterations were worsened after one year. Conclusion The availability of effective exercise programs for postmenopausal women is important to improve lipoprotein profile and redox status despite the adherence to Mediterranean Diet.