EVALUATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF PHYTOSTEROLS ON CLIMACTERIC. FEMALE HORMONE REGULATION: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Introduction: Female hormone regulation is closely linked to food intake, and this fact has been the subject of recent investigation. Studies on energy restriction in women show a decrease in leptin, insulin, testosterone, and thyroid hormones, in addition to an increase in ghrelin and cortisol. Phytosterols (phytoestrogens) have the ability to alleviate postmenopausal symptoms. Carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, in addition to their basic functions, also have endocrine effects on different hypothalamic axes, modulating insulin, leptin, gastrointestinal hormones, sex hormones, among others. Objectives: To prove the influence of diet on female hormone regulation as a whole and the effects of phytosterols on postmenopausal symptoms. Methodology: This is a literature review using the descriptors "dietary management", "hormonal regulation", "macronutrients", "phytosterols" and "menopause" in newspapers, books, articles and magazines published in the last ten years. As inclusion criteria, studies published within the mentioned time period and revisional articles will be considered; As exclusion criteria, duplicate studies or those that do not fit the most recent literature will be disregarded. The databases used will be Lilacs, Scielo, PubMed and Efdeportes.