The Role of Estrogen in Health

aging bone health brain functions cardiovascular health energy balance glucose metabolism muscle strength Feb 11, 2023

Estrogen is a sex hormone produced by males and females. Females, however, have more of it than males do.¹ In females, its main job is to control sexual development and the menstrual cycle In males, it plays a part in reproduction.² Moreover, both genders need the hormone for the following purposes:^1,2,3

Control of brain functions
Protection against diseases of the heart and blood vessels
Growth and development of bones
Balance of energy and metabolism of glucose
Strengthening of muscles
Prevention of skin aging

Let’s explore the specific role that estrogen plays in each of these body functions.

Control of brain functions

Estrogen receptors exist in various parts of the brain. This is how estrogen influences different brain functions. For example, the hormone affects sexual behavior by acting on the hypothalamus. Receptors have also been found in the hippocampus, the part of the brain linked to memory. Estrogen acts on the cerebral cortex as well and therefore has an effect on thinking processes. The hormone has an impact on emotional responses too due to its action on the amygdala. Finally, because of receptors in the cerebellum, estrogen is involved in making and combining movements.⁴

Protection against diseases of the heart and blood vessels

Nitric oxide (NO) is a substance that relaxes the heart and blood vessels. In addition, it prevents the inflammation of the blood vessel walls. Estrogen helps protect against heart and blood vessel disease by enhancing the production and release of NO. Laboratory studies have also shown that special proteins are quickly activated when heart muscle and lining cells are treated with estrogen. Such proteins promote the adequate flow of blood and oxygen. At the same time, estrogen aids in keeping blood from escaping from damaged vessels.⁵

Growth and development of bones

In both men and women, estrogen promotes the activity of cells called osteoblasts that make new bones. The hormone helps prevent the formation of osteoclasts too. These are cells that break down bone tissue and release calcium and other minerals into the blood. Furthermore, estrogen directly affects osteocytes, cells that are responsible for remodeling and repairing cracks in bones. Estrogen thus plays an important role in fighting bone loss and weakness.^6,7

Balance of energy and metabolism of glucose

The body produces two main types of fat: brown fat and white fat. Brown fat helps maintain body temperature and burns calories. Meanwhile, white fat is the typical fat that stores the extra calories we consume. This type of fat ends up under the skin, around the waist and organs. Estrogen affects how white fat is distributed in the body by acting on receptors in the hypothalamus. The hormone controls food intake and energy use as well. Also, estrogen acts in skeletal muscle, fat, and the liver to make the body more sensitive to insulin. This means that the body becomes better able to use glucose for energy. Finally, estrogen acts on cells in the pancreas, thus having an impact on the release of insulin and balance of nutrients. For all these reasons, estrogen may help prevent conditions like obesity and diabetes.⁸

Strengthening of muscles

It is believed that estrogen acts as an antioxidant in muscles. It also stabilizes the muscle cell membrane. Lastly, it binds to estrogen receptors in muscles and controls gene activity. Through these mechanisms, estrogen affects the contraction of muscles and helps protect them against inflammation or injury, especially for women.⁹ The hormone facilitates muscle repair too. Animal studies have shown that estrogen acts to reduce the invasion of white blood cells to injured muscle tissue. This is a good thing because white blood cells produce substances that may cause further tissue damage and chronic inflammation. Moreover, estrogen helps increase satellite cells, which provide the material needed for muscle growth and repair.¹⁰

Prevention of skin aging

In postmenopausal women, estrogen seems to play an anti-aging role in several ways. First, it prevents collagen in the skin from decreasing. As a result, estrogen helps maintain skin thickness. Second, the hormone keeps skin moisture by increasing hyaluronic acid. Third, estrogen affects the skin's elastic fibers and thus aids in fighting wrinkling. It has also been suggested that in elderly men and women, estrogen promotes wound healing by controlling the levels of a cytokine (protein messenger between cells).¹¹

Conclusion

Estrogen plays a vital role in numerous functions of the brain, heart, blood vessels, bones, fat, muscles, and skin. But like other things, you can have too much of it, which can lead to health problems.

Did you know that high estrogen can cause snoring? Learn more through The Snoring Diet Solution, a proven six-week program for beating snoring naturally and permanently – in as little as two weeks!

References