In a world where women face unique health challenges, understanding the root causes of chronic illnesses is more crucial than ever. At the recent Eudēmonia Summit in Palm Beach, Florida, Jen Denton, chief marketing officer of SHE Media, engaged in a compelling conversation with renowned physician and New York Times best-selling author Dr. Sara Gottfried.
Their discussion shed light on why women are disproportionately impacted by chronic illnesses and what steps can be taken to bridge the existing gaps in research and treatment. Denton kicked off the conversation by asking Gottfried how women are disproportionately impacted by chronic illness and whether she had any thoughts as to why this is.
“I think there’s a number of reasons. There are sex differences which are biological,” Gottfried told Denton. “So, the sweeping hormonal changes we go through, the fact that we can carry another human inside of ourselves, the fact that we’ve got smaller coronary arteries.”
She went on to explain that women are more vulnerable to blood sugar issues than men, compounded by gender-based challenges shaped by societal norms.
The research gap
“That includes patriarchy, the wage gap and a disproportionate caretaking role for children and parents,” Gottfried explained. “All of these factors conspire to lead to more stress, more trauma and higher rates of about 40 different chronic diseases.”
These insights highlight a staggering reality: women are battling nearly 40 different chronic conditions at higher rates than men, influenced by both biological and societal factors. Yet, despite these alarming statistics, Denton wondered why medical experts still know so little about women and chronic illnesses.
“There’s a massive research gap when it comes to women’s health. Women weren’t even required to be in studies until the 1990s, which has led to a gigantic knowledge gap and treatment gap,” Gottfried said.
Gottfried highlighted the Venus Ambien study, explaining that the prescription sleep aid was initially tested on men. When women were given the same dosage, they experienced severe side effects like sleep-driving, underscoring a larger issue: women often face more adverse effects with medications because treatments aren’t tailored to their biology.
“We need our own research,” Gottfried remarked. “Research has to be divided by sex because the differences are significant.”
The importance of lifestyle choices
Denton shifted the conversation to prevention, asking Gottfried how women can reduce their risk of chronic illness. Gottfried stressed that lifestyle choices play a crucial role.
“I think it’s lifestyle. It’s all lifestyle,” Gottfried said. “Lifestyle is not fast or convenient. It requires being super attentive to your sleep, the way that you move, the kind of relationships that you have—especially with your life partner—and you must make sure that you spend a lot of time with girlfriends because we know that improves your health.”
Gottfried explained that diet is likely the most important factor in health, emphasizing the need to personalize it to each individual. That’s why she recommends continuous glucose monitoring, even for those who aren’t diabetic, to help tailor dietary choices effectively.
Actionable steps
When Denton asked Gottfried for key recommendations for women living with chronic illnesses, she shared a set of actionable steps to help manage symptoms and improve overall well-being.
“First, do a functional medicine panel to look at the root causes of your chronic disease. Second, prioritize movement—about two-thirds weight training with heavy weights and one-third aerobic cardio activity. Third, pay attention to your brain health. Women have double the rate of Alzheimer’s disease compared to men, and it often starts in our 30s and 40s.”
Gottfried also emphasized the importance of tracking cognitive function and undergoing baseline testing to safeguard brain health as you age. When asked where she believes research funding should be directed, Gottfried was straightforward in her response.
“Perimenopause. Women spend half their lives after their reproductive years, and yet it is mostly ignored. Only about 3% of research funding goes to menopause. We have to change that,” she said.
Managing hormones through lifestyle
Finally, addressing women who aren’t candidates for hormone therapy, Gottfried said that’s where lifestyle becomes even more important.
“There are many ways to manage estrogen, progesterone and testosterone through lifestyle. For example, having a shake once a day with whey protein can raise testosterone levels and boost growth hormone,” Gottfried explained.
Gottfried also advised that women should avoid working out on an empty stomach and recommended consuming 15 to 20 grams of protein first thing in the morning.
This enlightening conversation not only underscores the urgent need for gender-specific research but also empowers women with actionable strategies to combat chronic illnesses. As society moves forward, fostering a deeper understanding and support system for women’s health will be essential in bridging these critical gaps.