Episode 229: Estrogen and MS: How Hormones Impact Neurological Health and Symptom Management.

Deb 0:00Welcome to the podcast. Before we begin, there is a disclaimer we have to make. Let’s talk wellness now brings expert insights directly to you. Please note that the views and information shared by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Let’s Talk wellness now its management or our partners, each affiliate, sponsor and partner is an independent entity with its own perspectives. Today’s content is provided for informational and educational purposes only, and should not be considered specific advice, whether financial, medical or legal. While we strive to present accurate and useful information, we cannot guarantee its completeness or relevance to your unique circumstances, we encourage you to consult with a qualified professional to address your individual needs. Your use of information from this broadcast is entirely at your own risk. By continuing to listen, you agree to indemnify and hold let’s talk wellness now and its associates harmless from any claims or damages arising from the use of this content. We may update this disclaimer at any time, and changes will take effect immediately upon posting or broadcasts. Thank you for tuning in. We hope you find this episode both insightful and thought provoking. Listener Discretion is Advised now for the show. Deb 1:19Hello and welcome to today’s episode estrogen and MS, how hormones impact neurological health and symptom management. I’m Dr Deb, and today we’re diving into a fascinating and complex topic, the link between hormones, specifically estrogen, and neurological health in women, particularly as it relates to MS or multiple sclerosis. Today, we’ll explore how declining estrogen levels in women may not only trigger ms, but also impact the severity and the progression of symptoms. Estrogen is more than just a reproductive hormone. It’s plays a crucial role in our immune system and the nervous system health. This intersection of hormones and neurological Health offers insights that may lead to improved management and treatments for women with Ms. So to provide some context, estrogen is a hormone that does more than govern reproductive functions. Research shows that estrogen plays a protective role in the brain, and it can reduce inflammatory responses, promote cell repair and support overall neurological function. It’s fascinating to consider estrogens far reaching impact on the nervous system, and as we’ll see, the effects are particularly relevant in the context of MS. MS is about three times more common in women than in men, and research suggests that hormonal fluctuations significantly influence both the risk and expression of MS symptoms. This gender difference points to hormones, and especially estrogen as an area worth closer examination. So let’s dive deeper into the science to understand why estrogen is such a significant factor in an in Ms. So estrogen as a neuro protector really well, it’s true, estrogen provides significant neuro protective benefits by modulating inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain, and studies have shown that estrogen can decrease levels of pro inflammatory cytokines while enhancing antioxidant defenses, creating a protective environment for neurons. Research has shown that women with higher estrogen levels tend to have lower markers of neuro inflammation, which is critical, because inflammation in the brain can lead to damage over time, and this protective effect of estrogen helps keep the brain in a healthier state, which is particularly beneficial for managing conditions like Ms. Now, estrogen has an impact that goes even further than that. It’s called myelin. So myelin is the protective sheath, or the coding around the nerves, and it’s essential for nerve communication, and estrogen plays a direct role in supporting this myelin repair. So let me explain a little bit more about myelin, because I think it’s important for us to understand if you think of your nerves as an electrical wire, we’ve all seen electrical wires that go behind the walls, right, and you pull out that wire, and if you’ve done any kind of remodeling, you may or may not have seen somebody strip away that plastic coating. Sometimes it’s yellow, sometimes it’s blue, and inside there are a couple of wires. Sometimes there’s one, sometimes there’s two, sometimes there are three, and. So think of that plastic coating as the myelin that protects your own nervous system. And what happens in MS and and sometimes other neurodegenerative diseases is that protective coating that myelin becomes disrupted or becomes damaged. And when it becomes damaged like that is when the nerves can be exposed, and when the nerves can be exposed, they can become irritated, and that’s kind of what we’re talking about with what happens on a very low scientific level with Ms. But I think everybody can understand when we’re talking about that what exactly is happening there? So estrogen, ...