Sex hormones affect my type 2 diabetes? Yes.

Specifically, I‘m talking about estrogen. It’s amazing what this hormone does. It helps regulate your menstrual cycle, affects your reproductive tract, your urinary tract, your heart and blood vessels, your bones, skin, hair, mucus membranes, pelvic muscles and your brain. 

Estrogen exerts a protective effect on your cardiovascular system. Women, generally, get less heart related problems in their premenopausal life. However, with decreased estrogen levels comes menopause – with all her friends: hot flashes, vaginal dryness, increased urinary tract infections, osteoporosis, depression and weight gain.

This weight gain is important because increased weight can lead to type 2 diabetes. In fact, estrogen plays a role in weight management and how much fat your body stores. Women generally store fat in the hips and thighs but after menopause, fat is more likely to be stored in your abdomen. This is abdominal or visceral fat. It is metabolically active and inflammatory. This inflammation increases insulin resistance and can lead to type 2 diabetes or make existing diabetes worse.

Interestingly, estrogen plays a role in reducing insulin resistance by increasing glucose tolerance in the GI tract. By increasing the sensitivity of insulin and increasing glucose tolerance, blood sugar gets taken up by the cells and is not circulating in the blood stream for long periods of time. 

When estrogen goes low, this effect is no longer available and insulin resistance goes up.
So, what can you do?

1. It’s important to get to and maintain a healthy weight. 
2. A healthy diet will help a lot. Especially adding in foods with phytoestrogens (plant-based estrogens). These include cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels Sprouts and kale, nuts such as almonds, walnuts and pistachios. Include seeds such as sesame, sunflower, flaxseed.
3. Exercise – the more you move your body, the more fuel your body will use. You will feel better, look better and get to and maintain a healthy weight.

Dr Elaine

Download my free 30 Day Guide to Manage or Reverse Type 2 Diabetes 

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider for advice about a specific medical condition.

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