Lara Briden, ND

#Estrogen is an asset, not a liability.

Thanks to estrogen, we have healthy brains, bones, and cardiovascular systems.

Thanks to estrogen, we have healthy #mitochondria because estrogen stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis.

Thanks to estrogen, we have strong muscles because estrogen is anabolic.

Thanks to estrogen, women have enhanced insulin sensitivity and carbohydrate tolerance and are somewhat protected from #insulinresistance.

Thanks to estrogen, women have better gut integrity than men including a thicker mucus lining and better integrity of the intestinal wall. In other words, estrogen gives us some protection from #leakygut.

#Progesterone builds bone and should be part of any hormonal treatment for #osteoporosis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29962257 

Thanks to estrogen, women have better gut integrity than men. Both in terms of the thickness of the mucus lining and the integrity of the barrier itself. #womenarenotsmallmen https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29887245 

There's no way to "balance hormones" on birth control. Because contraceptive drugs are not hormones. #righttoovulate

To try to live with no animal-based nutrients is like trying to live with not quite enough sleep or not quite enough oxygen. It can be done, but it doesn't feel good.

My response to vegan patients: "Yes, you can do that if you feel that strongly about it, but we're going to have to lower our expectations about how healthy you can be." #plantbased