Hi Rede Sisters,
We're excited to be back with our summer newsletter! Today we are exploring:
Why Are Women Twice as Likely to Develop Alzheimer's?
This is what drives us at Rede: Empowering women 40+ with knowledge, tools, and action to protect their bodies, minds, and futures.
A new wave of research is shedding light on a disturbing fact: women are nearly twice as likely as men to develop Alzheimer's disease. But why? While age is a factor, it's not the whole story. Biological and hormonal changes—especially the sharp decline in estrogen during menopause—are emerging as major contributors.
At Rede, we believe knowledge is power. And when it comes to your brain, that power starts in midlife.
💊 Estrogen: The Brain's Unsung Hero
- Estrogen has powerful neuroprotective effects—supporting synaptic function, reducing inflammation, and regulating metabolism in the brain.
- During menopause, estrogen plummets, removing this natural shield and making women more vulnerable to memory loss and cognitive decline.
Hot Flash? Brain Fog? These are more than symptoms. They are signs your brain is changing.
⚡️ Risk Factors You Can Control
Recent studies show women who experience frequent nighttime hot flashes have elevated levels of tau and amyloid-beta proteins—both biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease.
But there is hope:
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), when started within 10 years of menopause, may help preserve brain function.
- Physical activity, especially strength and aerobic training, plays a huge role in reducing risk.
- Exercise is not just for your heart or body—it's for your brain.
🔢 The Overlooked Link: Insulin Resistance
According to the Lancet Commission, 14 modifiable risk factors significantly reduce the likelihood of developing dementia. One of them? Diabetes.
Here's the issue: many women in midlife develop insulin resistance due to declining estrogen during perimenopause—and they go undiagnosed for years.
- 1 in 3 women has prediabetes
- Over 80% don't know it
- Even with a normal fasting glucose, a woman may still be insulin-resistant
- Important labs like fasting insulin and HOMA-IR are rarely part of routine care
Diabetes doesn't happen overnight. Once glucose rises to a borderline level, it's been brewing for years.
Rede supports education and advocacy around lab interpretation and proactive care.
- Decode lab results and understand healthy ranges
- Identify red flags early
- Advocate effectively with their physicians
- Find specialists who understand women's midlife health
✨ For a deeper dive, check out a gem from episode #115 of the Health Trip Podcast featuring Dr. Kellyann Niotis, the world's first fellowship-trained preventive neurologist.
🌈 What Drives Us at Rede
We created Rede because we are the women going through this. We know what it feels like to forget a word mid-sentence or lose your train of thought in a meeting. We see the fear that comes with all of these moments.
We also know this: you are not powerless. The right information, the right movement, the right support—it can change everything.
That's why every workout, every product, every expert we bring to Rede is focused on helping women 40+:
- Build strength
- Protect their brains
- Feel great in their bodies, love themselves
- Stay mentally sharp for decades to come
Because menopause isn't the end! It's the beginning of you!
We're Here for You
At Rede, we're committed to supporting you throughout your perimenopause + menopause journey. Together, we can redefine what it means to thrive during perimenopause and beyond!
Keep an eye out for our fall newsletter, where we'll dive into:
💪 A sneak peek into the Rede App
Until next time, stay strong, balanced, and thriving.🧘🏼♀️
With love, strength + gratitude,
Khristine & The Rede Team🩷
Disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your physician before making any health decisions.
