Beware Of Visceral Fats, Triggers Heart Disease In Women Menopause

Illustration of early menopausese women (Freepik)

JAKARTA - Visceral fats or fats that accumulate around the organs in the body often escape attention because they are not visible from the outside. However, this type of fat is actually the most dangerous because it is closely related to the increased risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and other metabolic disorders.

In women, especially those entering the periodiopause and menopause period, visceral fat levels tend to increase due to changes in the hormone estrogen. Therefore, maintaining a nutritional balance and body composition is an important step to protect heart health at this time.

Health expert from the Association of Indonesian Clinical Nutrition Specialists (PDGKI) DKI Jakarta, dr. Ida Gunawan, MS, Sp.GK, Subsp. K, M, FINEM, said that entering the period of periodiopause and menopause, women need to pay more attention to the level of visceral fat in the body.

The reason is, excess visceral fat can increase the risk of heart disease.

"Ladies and gentlemen, you have to remember that once you enter the periopause-menopaus you have to be friends with the so-called weak excess, but don't worry, even though we have a higher range of up to 35 percent, friends still have to blame him, especially weakly visceral, so visceral fat is not stored," explained doctor Ida in Jakarta, Thursday.

He also suggests eating healthy and balanced foods, as well as paying attention to how to processing them. Eating portion should contain quality protein such as fish consumed 2'3 times a week, and equipped with vegetables and colored fruit rich in antioxidants.

"Then there must be fats, choose good fats, one of which is different, then don't forget to have vegetables and selected fruits that are orange red, so that they get antioxidants," he explained.

Women who enter the menopause period are also advised to be wiser in caring for the body, especially in the face of weight gain due to decreased levels of the hormone estrogen.

Weight loss management, according to him, not only focuses on the figure on the scales, but also on body composition so as not to lose too much muscle mass that can trigger sarkopenia, namely a progressive condition of reduced strength and muscle function.

On the other hand, it is also important to achieve a healthy fat loss with the right method, avoid extreme diets, maintain a regular diet, and exercise consistently so that the results are optimal and sustainable.

hormonal changes during the menopause period often cause various symptoms, both physically and emotionally, which can affect the quality of life of active women. However, with a healthy lifestyle, this phase can be lived more comfortably and productively.

Although often considered the end of productive times, dr. Ida emphasized that menopause can actually be a new beginning for women to get to know their bodies better and invest in long-term health.