The ability to accumulate estrogen over time may reduce the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease in women.
Estrogen Stockpile
A new study reveals that women’s Alzheimer’s risk may be linked to how much estrogen they store over time. Having additional children, using hormonal birth control, or receiving hormone treatment during menopause increases a woman’s lifetime estrogen exposure.
Weill Cornell Medicine and University of Arizona studies show that longer menstrual cycles are linked to greater cumulative estrogen. This may preserve gray matter in Alzheimer’s-affected brain areas, researchers say.
Resilience
Dr. Lisa Mosconi, the study’s main author, says the menopause transition might make the female brain vulnerable, while other reproductive history events that increase estrogen exposure make it resilient. She’s a neurology associate professor at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City and the Women’s Brain Initiative director.
Researchers reviewed 99 women’s biographical histories, MRI scans, and cognitive tests for the study. Researchers compared 29 similar-aged males.
Postmenopausal or perimenopausal women exhibited considerably lower gray matter volume in Alzheimer’s-affected areas than males or premenopausal women. Women with increased estrogen exposure had more gray matter in key brain areas. Greater children and hormone replacement treatment were linked to more gray matter in key brain areas. The observational study, not a clinical trial, suggests that estrogen may protect the female brain.
Eva Schelbaum, a research assistant in Mosconi’s lab, states, “We want to go into the intricacies of these linkages between estrogen and gray matter volume by comparing surgical menopause and spontaneous menopause and by concentrating on particular forms of estrogen exposure, such as menopausal hormone treatment.” The objective is to understand why Alzheimer’s affects more women and how to lessen the risk.
Two-Thirds Of The People Diagnosed With Alzheimer’s
Two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s are women. The prevailing notion is that the condition is linked to estrogen depletion, although it may also be linked to women’s longer lifespans. Estrogen influences brain development and behavior. It nourishes and protects the CNS. Menopause lowers estrogen levels. Researchers say this study shows estrogen might be protective. They advocated for further research on the underlying biological mechanisms.
Can You Increase Your Estrogen Levels?
Healthy Diet
Reduce fast food, fried meals, high-fat meats, cheese, and other high-fat foods. Every meal should be half fruits and veggies. Fruits and vegetables include phytoestrogens, which boost estrogen levels naturally. Try substituting cauliflower, green beans, or spaghetti squash for half your rice or pasta at supper.
Exercise But Not Frantically
Workouts lower estrogen levels. Moderate exercise is beneficial and may reduce breast cancer risk and boost lifespan in women. Avoid overexercising, but be active.
Quit Smoking
Smoking may impair the body’s capacity to manufacture estrogen. Smoking causes menstruation disruption, infertility, and early menopause in premenopausal women.
Eat Soy & Drink Soy Milk
Tofu, soybeans, soy milk, soy protein powder, and other soy foods may help boost estrogen levels naturally. Organic soy reduces pesticide consumption. Include 1 serving of soy daily to benefit from its phytoestrogens. Some examples:
- Tofu or soy-protein products replace meat in recipes.
- Soy milk replaces cow’s milk.
- Soy nuts or edamame snacking.
Chasteberry Supplements
Although studies haven’t verified it, chasteberry, or vitex, is used to balance estrogen levels and relieve menopausal and menstruation symptoms. Increased progesterone and reduced estrogen reduce estrogen dominance.
Take 30-40 mg daily for 3 menstrual cycles or 12 weeks.
Herbal Tea
Several herbal teas or tisanes may boost estrogen or relieve menopausal or PMS symptoms without impacting estrogen. Place herbs in boiling water for 5 minutes.
Eat Soy & Drink Soy Milk
Tofu, soybeans, soy milk, soy protein powder, and other soy foods may help boost estrogen levels naturally. Organic soy reduces pesticide consumption. Include 1 serving of soy daily to benefit from its phytoestrogens. Some examples:
- Tofu or soy-protein products replace meat in recipes.
- Soy milk replaces cow’s milk.
- Soy nuts or edamame snacking.
Chasteberry Supplements
Although studies haven’t verified it, chasteberry, or vitex, is used to balance estrogen levels and relieve menopausal and menstruation symptoms. Increased progesterone and reduced estrogen reduce estrogen dominance.
Take 30-40 mg daily for 3 menstrual cycles or 12 weeks.
Herbal Tea
Several herbal teas or tisanes may boost estrogen or relieve menopausal or PMS symptoms without impacting estrogen. Place herbs in boiling water for 5 minutes.
