(PTFS02-04-26) A Higher-Protein Dietary Pattern With Physical Activity Improves Lipid Profiles and Handgrip Strength in Postmenopausal Women Following a 16-Week Intervention

Objectives: Postmenopausal women experience increased cardiometabolic risk and accelerated muscle loss due to hormonal changes and age-related metabolic alterations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of daily beef consumption as part of a higher-protein diet, with or without physical activity, on cardiometabolic risk, handgrip strength, and body fat distribution in postmenopausal women.

Methods: Thirty-seven postmenopausal women (59.6±8.5 years, BMI 28.0±6.4 kg/m²) were randomized to one of three interventions for 16 weeks: 1) Control (PC, n=14; usual diet, limited red meat), Beef (PB, n=9; 25 g protein from beef daily, 30% energy from protein, 30% fat, 40% carbohydrate), or Beef+Physical Activity (PA, n=14; 25 g protein from beef daily, 30% energy from protein, 30% fat, 40% carbohydrate, plus 150 min/week moderate-intensity activity including strength training 3×/week). Fasting lipid profiles (total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, triglycerides), glucose, handgrip strength, and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were measured at baseline and weeks 4, 8, 12, and 16. Within-group changes were analyzed using paired t-tests; longitudinal effects were evaluated using mixed-effects models (REML).

Results: There was no change in total cholesterol in PC, PB decreased by 23.3 mg/dL (P=0.073), and PA decreased by 22.6±30.3 mg/dL (P=0.02). There was no change in LDL-C in PC; however, PB decreased by 23.3 mg/dL (P=0.073), and PA decreased by 42.0±52.5 mg/dL (P=0.014). HDL-C, triglycerides, fasting glucose, and WHR remained unchanged across all groups. Non-dominant handgrip strength had no change in PC, and an increase in PB (+6.65%, P=0.093) and PA (+11.15%, P=0.0008) in PA. There was no change in dominant handgrip strength in PC. PB and PA showed increases of 3.06 kg (P=0.066) and 2.13±2.33 kg (P=0.003), respectively.

Conclusions: Higher protein intake, combined with physical activity, significantly improved LDL-C and handgrip strength, while protein alone showed favorable trends in the lipid profile in postmenopausal women. NCT06849817

Funding Sources: Supported by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association