How HRT can help us lead longer, healthier lives

Dr Louise Newson talks menopause at prestigious Longevity Forum summit

Menopause Specialist and balance founder Dr Louise Newson has been sharing insights in how HRT can help us lead longer, healthier lives.

In a talk at the Longevity Forum Science Summit 2022 on 16 November in London, Dr Newson spoke about the role of estrogen throughout our bodies, and the long-term health risks associated with low hormones during and after the menopause.

Inflammaging and hormones

Low estrogen results in the immune cells to work less efficiently which results in low-grade inflammation occurring. This is actually detrimental for the body and is known as “inflammageing” – literally meaning ageing that occurs as a result of inflammation.  This process increases risk of inflammatory diseases occurring – including cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, clinical depression and even some types of cancer. Parkinson’s disease has also been shown to increase in women who have an early menopause.

RELATED: Read more about HRT here

HRT and future health

Dr Newson also spoke about the benefits of HRT, not only in relieving menopause symptoms, but in reducing risk of these inflammatory conditions.

She also appeared as a guest on the Longevity Forum podcast this month, where she spoke about Newson Health’s research work, research ambitions for the future, and why is she determined to close the knowledge gap that exists in looking at not only how HRT improves symptoms, but how it can improve future health.

Newson Health’s research aims for the future

‘Part of our ambitious aims are about looking more closely at disease prevention,’ Dr Newson said.

‘About 30% of a woman’s life is lived post-menopause with low hormone levels. So we need to look more seriously at how replacing hormones can be a really important way of improving future health.

‘I want to look more deeply at measurable outcomes – if women take the right dose and type of HRT for them, how it can result in them exercising more, having lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol or improving their bone density.

‘If we can show that something as cheap as HRT can transform future health of women…it will have huge ramifications for women globally.’

The Longevity Forum is a not-for-profit initiative committed to achieving longer, healthier and more fulfilled lives for as many people as possible.

References

Baylis, D. et al. (2013), ‘Understanding how we age: insights into inflammaging’, Longevity and Healthspan’, 2 (1), doi.org/10.1186/2046-2395-2-8

Monteiro R., Teixeira D., Calhau C. (2014), ‘Estrogen signaling in metabolic inflammation’, Mediators of inflammation, doi:10.1155/2014/615917