Urinary metals and metal mixtures and timing of natural menopause in midlife women Original paper
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
I am a biochemist with a deep curiosity for the human microbiome and how it shapes human health, and I enjoy making microbiome science more accessible through research and writing. With 2 years experience in microbiome research, I have curated microbiome studies, analyzed microbial signatures, and now focus on interventions as a Microbiome Signatures and Interventions Research Coordinator.
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Women’s Health
Women’s Health
Women’s health, a vital aspect of medical science, encompasses various conditions unique to women’s physiological makeup. Historically, women were often excluded from clinical research, leading to a gap in understanding the intricacies of women’s health needs. However, recent advancements have highlighted the significant role that the microbiome plays in these conditions, offering new insights and potential therapies. MicrobiomeSignatures.com is at the forefront of exploring the microbiome signature of each of these conditions to unravel the etiology of these diseases and develop targeted microbiome therapies.
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Menopause
Menopause
Menopause impacts many aspects of health, including the gut microbiome, weight management, and hormone balance. Diet, probiotics, intermittent fasting, and HRT offer effective management strategies.
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Metals
Metals
OverviewHeavy metals play a significant and multifaceted role in the pathogenicity of microbial species. Their involvement can be viewed from two primary perspectives: the toxicity of heavy metals to microbes and the exploitation of heavy metals by microbial pathogens to establish infections and evade the host immune response. Understanding these aspects is critical for both […]
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Divine Aleru
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
Microbiome Signatures identifies and validates condition-specific microbiome shifts and interventions to accelerate clinical translation. Our multidisciplinary team supports clinicians, researchers, and innovators in turning microbiome science into actionable medicine.
Divine Aleru
What was studied?
The study investigated the relationship between urinary metal concentrations and the timing of natural menopause in midlife women, using data from the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN). It specifically examined 15 urinary metals, including arsenic, lead, cadmium, copper, mercury, and zinc, to assess how these metals, both individually and in mixtures, influenced the onset of menopause. The research aimed to fill the knowledge gap regarding the impact of environmental metal exposure on ovarian aging and the timing of menopause, a critical factor linked to various long-term health risks.
Who was studied?
The study population consisted of 1,082 premenopausal women, aged 45–56, from multiple racial and ethnic groups, including White, Black, Chinese, and Japanese women. The participants were enrolled in the SWAN study, a large, community-based, prospective cohort. These women were followed for an average of 4.1 years, during which they provided regular urine samples for analysis of metal concentrations. The study aimed to explore how various environmental exposures, specifically metals, affect the timing of natural menopause and associated health risks.
Most important findings
The study found that higher urinary concentrations of arsenic and lead were significantly associated with earlier natural menopause. Specifically, women in the highest quartile of urinary arsenic had an average menopause age 1.6 years earlier compared to those in the lowest quartile. Similarly, higher lead concentrations also correlated with earlier menopause. This suggests that exposure to certain metals may accelerate ovarian aging. Additionally, the study used an Environmental Risk Score (ERS) to quantify the cumulative effect of multiple metal exposures, showing that women with higher ERS values experienced menopause earlier, further emphasizing the role of metal mixtures in accelerating the menopausal transition. The study also observed no significant association with other metals like cadmium or mercury but highlighted the potential cumulative effects of metal mixtures on menopause timing.
Key implications
The study’s findings emphasize that environmental exposure to heavy metals, such as arsenic and lead, may have significant public health implications by influencing the timing of natural menopause. Since earlier menopause is linked to various health risks such as cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, and cognitive decline, understanding the role of environmental toxins in this process could inform public health interventions aimed at reducing exposure to harmful metals. This research underscores the importance of considering both individual and combined exposures to metals in future epidemiological studies and public health policies.
Menopause
Menopause impacts many aspects of health, including the gut microbiome, weight management, and hormone balance. Diet, probiotics, intermittent fasting, and HRT offer effective management strategies.