Proinflammatory Cytokines Increase After Menopause
There is much more going on in menopause than a decline in hormone production by the ovaries. This paper published earlier in Endocrine Reviews, the journal of the Endocrine Society, discusses the increase in cytokines (a class of signalling molecules) that upregulate inflammation throughout the body (a feature of all chronic diseases including neurodegeneration, osteoporosis, cardiovascular, cancers, etc.). Two startling facts:
- The inflammatory cytokines remain elevated even after estrogen replacement.
- Cytokine receptors throughout the body also increase in activity.
A natural anti-inflammatory strategy is mandatory for a healthy menopause, ideally beginning well before.