Podcast Summary
Understanding the Impact of Estrogen on Women's Health During Menopause: Estrogen drop during menopause leads to various symptoms beyond hot flashes and sleep disturbances, affecting around 80% of women. Understanding these symptoms and their root causes can lead to better health and well-being. Alternative treatments like cannabis and CBD have therapeutic benefits for conditions linked to menopause.
Learning from this year's Lazar Well-being Show conversations is the importance of understanding the impact of estrogen on women's health during menopause. Estrogen, which women produce in significant amounts starting from menarche, drops drastically during menopause, leading to various symptoms beyond hot flashes and sleep disturbances. These symptoms, such as brain fog, palpitations, weight gain, loss of sexual desire, and painful intercourse, can last for years, affecting around 80% of women. Avram Bloeming, a professor and medical oncologist, emphasized the significance of this hormonal shift in his book "Estrogen Matters." Many symptoms of menopause are often dismissed as bothersome or expected for women, but their long-term impact can significantly affect quality of life. Understanding these symptoms and their root causes can lead to better health and well-being. Additionally, alternative treatments like cannabis and CBD have shown therapeutic benefits for conditions like fibromyalgia, migraines, and IBS, which may be linked to diet and root pathology. Overall, taking care of our health requires awareness, education, and a holistic approach.
Women's estrogen levels drop significantly during menopause, leading to various health issues: Estrogen therapy can help alleviate up to 80% of menopause symptoms and prevent heart disease in half of women, while preserving bone health
Women's estrogen levels drop dramatically during menopause, plummeting to just 2-4% of what they were before, leading to a range of debilitating symptoms and health issues. Estrogen is the most effective treatment for these symptoms, relieving or eliminating them in up to 80% of women. The consequences of this hormonal shift are far-reaching, affecting women's heart health, bone health, and increasing their risk of hip fractures. The importance of estrogen in midlife cannot be overstated, as it helps prevent heart disease in about 50% of women and is essential for preserving bone elasticity and integrity. Despite the significant impact of these issues, they are often overlooked, with more attention given to male-focused advertisements for erectile dysfunction and testosterone. It is crucial for women to be aware of these health risks and consider estrogen therapy as a means of mitigating them.
Hormone therapy's impact on women's brain health: New research challenges the belief that hormone therapy increases cancer risk and highlights potential benefits for women's mental and cognitive health during menopause
Hormonal health care for women lags behind men's, with many dismissing women's symptoms as insignificant. However, recent research suggests that hormone therapy during menopause can lead to improvements in brain health, including in women with a predisposition to Alzheimer's and those experiencing menopause depression. These findings challenge the long-held belief that hormone therapy increases cancer risk, and it's crucial to consider the potential benefits for women's mental and cognitive health. Hormones play a significant role in brain function, and treating mental conditions like depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar with hormones can be effective. Estrogen, in particular, acts like chocolate syrup in the brain, permeating various areas. It's important to address the stigma surrounding hormone therapy and consider the risk-benefit analysis for women's overall well-being.
Exploring hormonal imbalances and mental health in women: Women with a history of trauma may face hormonal imbalances leading to depression and mental health issues. Hormone replacement therapy and medical cannabis can help address these conditions by interacting with the brain and endocannabinoid system.
The brain functions in complex ways, and certain groups of women, particularly those with a history of early life trauma, may be more vulnerable to hormonal imbalances leading to depression and other mental health issues. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and medical cannabis are potential solutions for addressing these conditions by smoothing out estrogen cracks in the brain and interacting with the endocannabinoid system, respectively. These interventions have the potential to help with a wide range of health issues, from depression and menopause to seizures and chronic pain. The importance of considering both biological and psychological factors in mental health treatment cannot be overstated. Despite debunked studies like the Women's Health Initiative, it's crucial to recognize the significance of hormone therapy and cannabis in improving women's quality of life.
The Endocannabinoid System: Our Body's Natural Regulator: The Endocannabinoid System is a natural regulatory system in our bodies, responsible for maintaining balance in various functions like sleep, mood, immune system, and reproductive system. CBD, a non-psychoactive component of cannabis, interacts with this system to provide therapeutic benefits for conditions like fibromyalgia, migraines, IBS, and MS.
Our bodies have a natural endocannabinoid system, which includes receptors and compounds similar to those found in the cannabis plant. This system acts as a regulator, maintaining balance in various biological activities such as sleep, mood, immune system, and reproductive system. Endocannabinoids, such as anandamide and 2-AG, are produced by our bodies and work in conjunction with the receptors to help regulate these functions. The endocannabinoid system is involved in numerous health conditions, including fibromyalgia, migraines, IBS, and MS, and clinical endocannabinoid deficiency has been identified in some of these cases. Despite its importance, the endocannabinoid system is not well-known and is still not widely taught in medical schools. CBD, a non-psychoactive component of cannabis, has been credited with therapeutic benefits for many of these conditions. Understanding the endocannabinoid system and its potential benefits could lead to new treatments and therapies for various health conditions.
Ultra processed foods linked to brain inflammation and cognitive decline: Eating ultra processed foods, high in inflammatory substances, may increase risk for cognitive decline and dementia. These foods contribute to overall inflammation and provide unnatural molecules.
Ultra processed foods, which are high in inflammatory substances and potentially linked to brain inflammation, may be an independent risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia. The connection is not yet fully understood, but statistics suggest an association, and some early studies indicate that certain chemicals in ultra processed foods may contribute to brain inflammation. It's important to note that these foods are also pro-inflammatory in general, and they provide our bodies with molecules that are not commonly found in nature. This discussion underscores the importance of being mindful of the foods we consume and their potential impact on our health. For those interested in learning more, consider checking out the work of Dr. Chris Van Tulleken and his book "Ultra Processed People."
Activism against harmful food additives: Early health and nutrition writers like Sharon Saidman and Hume Macdonald Sinclair advocated against harmful additives, leading to the phasing out of trans fats and potentially saving lives. However, the food industry's primary goal is to make money, and activism remains the most effective means of driving change.
The early days of health and nutrition writing were marked by passion and activism, as authors like Sharon Saidman and Hume Macdonald Sinclair challenged the food industry's use of harmful additives like trans fats. Saidman's work, including her first book "Vital Oils," nearly led to a lawsuit against her for speaking out against hydrogenated fats. This activism, driven by a concern for public health, ultimately led to the phasing out of trans fats from our diets and potentially saved thousands of lives. However, the food industry's primary goal is to make money, and activism remains the most effective means of driving change. While some within the industry are starting to prioritize healthier options, others continue to push ultra-processed foods with additives that may be addictive, not deliberately harmful, but designed to make the food more appealing and increase consumption.
The impact of processed foods on health: Understanding the role of ultra-processed foods in contributing to health issues like obesity and cognitive decline, and the benefits of intermittent fasting for managing these conditions.
The food industry's pursuit of creating appealing and addictive foods, often through the use of ultra-processed ingredients, contributes to health issues such as obesity and cognitive decline. The history of fake butter and the reformulation of foods like breakfast cereals and spreads illustrate this trend. Dr. Chris, a guest on a podcast, discussed the connection between these processed foods and health concerns. Jason Fung, another expert, emphasized the importance of intermittent fasting, which involves planned periods of not eating, as a significant factor in managing health issues like type 2 diabetes and obesity. By understanding the role of fasting and the impact of the food industry, individuals can make informed choices to prioritize their health.
Extending your fasting period for better health: Extend your fasting period to 12-14 hours for weight maintenance, or 16 hours for weight loss and autophagy. Avoid snacking between meals for optimal benefits.
Incorporating intermittent fasting or time-restricted eating into your daily routine can have significant positive impacts on your overall health. The natural fasting period for most people was around 12 to 14 hours in the 1970s, but now with the cultural acceptance of snacking and eating everywhere, many people struggle to go even 10 hours without eating. However, extending your fasting period to 12 to 14 hours can help maintain weight, while longer fasts of 16 hours or more can aid in weight loss and trigger autophagy. Snacking between meals can hinder these benefits, so opting for high-fat, high-protein options as occasional alternatives can help curb hunger and maintain fullness. Intermittent fasting is an achievable goal for improving health, reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity, and enhancing overall well-being.
Reflecting on Health and Wellness Over the Holidays: Explore past health discussions, share areas of interest, engage in conversations, prioritize healthcare, consider supplemental insurance, invest in high-quality essentials, and plan ethically-sourced vacations for overall well-being.
There are various ways to prioritize and enhance different aspects of our health and well-being. Over the holiday season, it's a great opportunity to reflect on the past year and explore previous episodes of health-related discussions. Looking forward, consider sharing areas of health you'd like to learn more about, and engage in conversations on social media. Normal service will resume soon with a discussion on how foods can impact mental health. In the meantime, remember that being proactive in healthcare is beneficial, and supplemental insurance plans like UnitedHealthcare's Health Protector Guard can help manage costs. Investing in high-quality essentials, such as Boll and Branch's organic cotton sheets, can also contribute to overall well-being. Finally, Quinn's offers affordable, ethically-sourced travel essentials for stylish and sustainable vacations.
