Washington: Women's ability to utilise fat as a fuel source is thought to be impaired by the oestrogen deficit that occurs after menopause. The rate at which middle-aged women are able to use fat at rest or during activity is not clearly determined by menopausal state or blood oestrogen levels, according to a study done at the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences of the University of Jyvaskyla. Better glucose tolerance was not associated with higher fat consumption.
Estrogen is viewed as a hormone promoting fat burning. After menopause, estrogen levels drop. The resulting estrogen deficiency is thought to reduce women's ability to use fat as an energy source, leading potentially to weight gain and metabolic health impairment.
