The high estrogen levels that typically afford younger women protection from cardiovascular disease appear to instead multiply their risk if they have type 1 diabetes, researchers say.A new study is examining the blood vessel health of these women during normal estrogen peaks and valleys and seeing whether treatment with over-the-counter supplements can help restore protection.”Why does this disparity and risk exist?” says Dr. Ryan A. Harris, clinical exercise and vascular physiologist at the Georgia Prevention Institute and Department of Population Health Sciences at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University.Epidemiological data indicates women with type 1 diabetes have 2-3 times greater risk of cardiovascular disease than men with type 1, Harris says.Estrogen seems to be key in the early, rapid aging of their cardiovascular system. Harris’ team has early evidence that in diabetes the sex hormone estrogen produces a double whammy that increases levels of damaging oxidative stress while dramatically decreasing blood vessels’ ability to dilate. More typically estrogen does just the opposite.

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