Let’s face it, none of us would be here without the women of the world so we must care for and make sure our women are healthy. However, women face a 25% higher burden of poor health compared to men, resulting in an annual loss of 75 million years of life due to premature death and disability, according to the National Institutes of Health. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women, accounting for more than 1 in 5 deaths. Symptoms can differ from men and may include atypical chest pressure, shortness of breath, unusual fatigue, or nausea rather than classic sharp chest pain. More women die from stroke than men, with risk factors closely tied to high blood pressure, preeclampsia, or clotting changes during menopause or pregnancy.
I’m really proud and honored to take part in the Women’s Midlife Health Summit, a virtual conference this Nov 10-12 where over 50 women’s health experts will discuss all aspects about health changes that occur around midlife. This is a free live event and I encourage anyone who is interested in women’s health to register and watch, especially if you are a woman who has or is dealing with some health challenges.
We’ve known for years that estrogen is a strong activator of endogenous nitric oxide production. This positive effect of estrogen on the cardiovascular system is what explains why pre-menopausal women have lower rates of heart attack compared to age matched men. Large-scale population studies have shown that pre-menopausal women have a 2 to 3.6 lower risk of heart attack than men their same age, with men maintaining a higher risk throughout most of the lifespan. The average age of a first heart attack is about 65 years for men, compared to 72 years for women. Men begin experiencing a sharp rise in heart attack risk earlier (around age 35), whereas women remain relatively protected during their premenopausal years.
Estrogen levels significantly shape the composition, diversity, and balance of the oral microbiome. The salivary glands, oral mucosa, periodontal ligaments, and gum tissues contain estrogen receptors. Fluctuations or declines in estrogen (during puberty, pregnancy, menstrual cycles, or menopause) can have a direct impact on the oral microbiome and therefore disrupt nitric oxide production. Estrogen also helps regulate salivary flow and composition. When estrogen drops (such as during menopause), reduced or altered saliva production decreases natural protection against acids and bacteria, leading to dry mouth (xerostomia). This will disrupt the enterosalivary circuit of nitrate conversion to nitrite and nitric oxide.
We know unequivocally that loss of nitric oxide leads to cardiovascular disease, heart attacks and strokes. The increased risk of heart attack and stroke for women at menopause and beyond can partly be explained by the loss of estrogen production. The Women’s Health Initiative and their flawed conclusions and recommendations did enormous damage to women’s health and hormone replacement therapy. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is extremely important for women’s health. However, HRT alone is not sufficient. We must focus on restoring the function of the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzyme so that it can actually produce nitric oxide when activated by estrogen. We must focus on restoration of the oral microbiome so estrogen can impose its effect on oral health and salivary flow. This may be the simplest yet most profound strategy for protecting the women in our lives.
For females at all stages of life, there are learnings here. For young girls, it is best to avoid birth control pills that dysregulate hormone cycles which can have lasting effects even after cessation. Get your hormones checked regularly by a reputable functional and integrative physician. Avoid mammograms, instead use thermography and self-breast exams. For peri-menopausal women, consult with a physician on when and how to begin HRT but just as important, maintain your nitric oxide production to minimize the symptoms of menopause. Maintain a regular exercise regimen, get plenty of sunlight. If you are a mouth breather, go see a biological dentist or airway specialist. Avoid plastics which can act as xenoestrogens. Xenoestrogens are chemical compounds that mimic or interfere with natural estrogen in the human body, acting as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Many common plastics leach these estrogenic chemicals into food, water, and human tissues. Throw away your fluoride toothpaste and discontinue any antiseptic mouthwash. Avoid supplements in the form of gummies and chews which contain toxic seed oils and sugars that completely shut down endogenous nitric oxide production.
I hope you will join me and 50 other experts Nov 10-12 for this online summit. Men, you should join to because these basic principles apply to any human, male or female. This is basic physiology and we must get back to the basics. The leaves are changing, the weather is getting cooler and days are getting shorter. This is the time of year when people can get sick and health becomes a major priority. Be prepared for all stages of life and all seasons. The human body is remarkably resilient but does not work in isolation. It is the understanding of signal transduction by important molecules like estrogen and nitric oxide that allow us to overcome some of the most poorly managed diseases that affect both men and women. Please take time to invest in your health and join us for this important event: https://event.midlife-summit.com/
You can find my nitric oxide products here. Use coupon code NSB10 for a discount. My products are not intended to treat, prevent, cure or mitigate any disease process.
