Diet Adapted To Hormonal Fluctuations of the Menstrual Cycle Increases Weight Loss

Danish researchers have found that a differentiated diet and exercise program that are designed to counteract the changes in eating preference associated with hormonal fluctuations of the menstrual cycle may be beneficial for overweight pre-menopausal women trying to lose weight.

The menstrual cycle influences a women’s weight by changing the quantity of hormones and the interactions between them that influence fertility. These hormones can have effects on energy intake and expenditure, as well as what a woman prefers to eat and her eating behaviors each month, as the body prepares for the possibility of pregnancy.

For women trying to lose weight,these hormonal changes could impact the effectiveness of their weight-loss plan.

A new study recruited 60 overweight-obese women between the ages of 18-40 years, with regular menstrual cycles. These women were all of good health and not on hormonal contraceptives. The subjects were randomly split into two groups, either the “Menstralean” or “Control” groups, and were given weight-loss counseling based on the assigned group. All of the subjects were instructed to maintain a 1600 kcal per day diet throughout the six-month duration of the study. The diets differed in that the Menstralean group was given a plan that was synchronized to match their menstrual cycle, with protein contents increased during certain phase with the aim to increase satiety and counteract the cravings for fat and carbohydrates often experienced.

Additionally, this group was allowed a piece of dark chocolate between days 24-28, which increases the daily caloric limit to 1800 kcal. The control group followed a program based on the Danish educational program known as the Diet Calculator that facilitates calorie counting. Both groups also had exercise programs, with the Menstralean groups synchronized to their menstrual cycle, and the control group following a program from the Danish public health guidelines for physical activity.

Following the six-month intervention, the Menstralean weight-loss program resulted in an additional weight loss of approximately 5kg in comparison to the control group.

This study revealed a high dropout rate in both groups, with 38% of the Menstralean group and 61% of the control group dropping out. This may have been for a number of reasons, including that the programs may have been difficult to follow.

Additionally, the study was not blinded, which was unavoidable, but could have impacted results. While there is merit to the diet, further personalization may be necessary for maximizing the results. In the future, synchronizing diet and exercise with the menstrual cycle may have an additive effect for women trying to lose weight.

 

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