Most women think about premature aging as it relates to their external appearance, but what about the premature aging of the ovaries?
Ovarian aging is the body’s natural process of decreasing the amount of estrogen and ovarian eggs as women reach menopause. But recent research has found that women who are exposed to toxic metals may have fewer eggs in their ovaries as compared to other women their age.1
Here’s an explanation of toxic metal exposure, why it may cause premature ovarian aging and how science-backed therapies like NAD+ IV Drips and IM Shots may help reduce ovarian aging.
What is Toxic Metal Exposure?
There are certain metals like Zinc and Iron that are healthy and necessary for everyday bodily functions, but others, like lead, mercury and arsenic, can have a toxic effect on the body, even in trace amounts. The body is exposed to them through water, food, air pollution and pesticides, which may cause free radical and reactive oxygen species (ROS) damage to vital enzymes, DNA and proteins at a cellular level. This may result in diseases like cancer, diabetes, neurological diseases, strokes, cardiovascular disease and as researchers are finding out, premature ovarian aging.
How Heavy Metal Toxicity Affects Ovarian Aging
Recent research published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism has found that heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium and mercury may act as “ovarian toxicants” in women approaching menopause.1
Using urine samples and data from blood tests from up to 10 years before the women’s final menstrual period, the study evaluated 549 middle-aged women. What they found is that women with higher levels of metal in their urine were more likely to show evidence of diminished ovarian reserve.
"Widespread exposure to toxins in heavy metals may have a big impact on health problems linked to earlier aging of the ovaries in middle-aged women, such as hot flashes, bone weakening and osteoporosis, higher chances of heart disease and cognitive decline,” said study author Sung Kyun Park, Sc.D., M.P.H., Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. “Our study linked heavy metal exposure to lower levels of Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) in middle-aged women. AMH tells us roughly how many eggs are left in a woman's ovaries–it's like a biological clock for the ovaries that can hint at health risks in middle age and later in life.
“Metals, including arsenic and cadmium, possess endocrine disrupting characteristics and may be potentially toxic to the ovaries,” Park added.2
Science-backed Therapies to Help Reverse Ovarian Aging
While that might sound scary for women reaching menopause themselves, there are specific science-backed therapies that have been found to potentially reverse the effects of toxic metal exposure.
Infrared Sauna
According to a study from the Journal of Environmental and Public Health, "No person is without some level of toxic metals in their bodies," noting that using a sauna and exercising should be used as therapy and that "sweating deserves consideration for toxic element detoxification."
During an Infrared Sauna session, the gentle heat can help boost your body’s natural detoxification through sweat, and studies suggest it may also improve sleep and recovery, immune function and the removal of bisphenol A (BPA) and other potentially harmful chemicals like perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). In addition to reducing toxins, Infrared Sauna sessions may help women going through menopause manage menopause-related weight gain and insulin resistance.3
NAD+ IV Drips & IM Shots
NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a critical coenzyme found in every cell of your body and plays a key role in the regulation of numerous biological and physiological functions, primarily metabolism and cellular repair. However, NAD+ naturally declines as you age, which can result in a variety of health issues, including premature ovarian aging.
A 2020 study in Free Radical Biology and Medicine done on mice found that increasing their levels of NAD+ led to an increased number of ovarian follicles and improved ovarian mitochondrial energy metabolism.4
More recently, a study in Immunity & Aging—also using mice—emphasized that supplementation of NAD+ improves oocyte quality, alleviates ovarian aging and enhances fertility.5
The most effective way to supplement NAD+ is through IV Drips and IM Shots—especially by using Niagen (NR). IV Drips are intravenous infusions that deliver the NAD+ directly into your bloodstream with 100% bioavailability, while IM Shots work by delivering 70%-90% bioavailable nutrients directly to the muscle tissue in a fraction of the time. Both delivery methods promote quick and efficient absorption of the NAD+ throughout your body, helping you experience the numerous benefits that NAD+ can provide, from anti-aging and metabolism to overall health and longevity.
Turn Back the Toxic Hands of Time
Toxic metal exposure can have numerous detrimental effects on your body, including premature ovarian aging. But as they say, knowledge is power, and knowing that there are steps you can take—like limiting environmental exposure and implementing Infrared Sauna sessions, NAD+ Therapy—you can take back your health, inside and out.
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