Scientists Connect Lower Estradiol and Sex Hormone Binding Globulin Levels with Poor Cardiovascular Health
Researchers at the North American Menopause Society’s Annual Meeting in October recently shared findings from a study connecting endogenous sex hormones with cardiovascular health. Scientist, El Khoudary, Ph.D., says that the amount of endogenous sex hormones women have at midlife may increase fat around the cardiovascular system, making them more susceptible to heart disease. Details of the findings can be found in section S-3 of the meeting abstract.
Two Thirds of Dietary Supplements Still For Sale 6 Months After Recall
A recent article in the Journal of the American Medical Association says that roughly two thirds of dietary supplements recalled by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) still contained banned drugs six months after being recalled. The FDA implements a class I drug recall when a dietary supplement is said to possibly cause adverse health consequences or death. This is the first known study to examine the presence of banned drugs in dietary supplements after being recalled by the FDA.
Alcohol May Improve Memory for Older Adults
The American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease & Other Dementias recently published a study examining the effects of alcohol consumption on older adults. Light alcohol consumption has been shown to improve memory of life events for people ages 60 and older who do not have dementia. Researchers found no significant differences in cognitive functioning and regional brain volumes during late life when compared to reported alcohol consumption during midlife. They think this may be related to the fact that older adults who are still able to consume alcohol tend to be healthier and therefore have higher brain function and larger regional brain volumes than those who had to cut their alcohol consumption due to poor health.
1 in 4 Women in a UK Survey Concerned With Ability to Cope With Life During Menopause
A recent UK survey shows that 1 in 4 women experiencing menopausal symptoms show concern about their ability to cope with life. Women in the UK are receiving very little in the way of medical advice or treatment for their menopause symptoms and hormonal changes. The survey reveals that almost half of survey participants experienced feelings of depression while more than one third are suffering with anxiety. Most notably, 72% of female workers living with menopause symptoms feel unsupported at work with 1 in 5 saying their symptoms have a negative effect on their job performance.
