Microglia

Tissue Cns

The brain's resident immune cell, and the hinge of the whole estrogen protection argument. Estrogen holds these cells in a surveilling state. Remove estrogen and they shift to an activated state and release the cytokines that damage the neurons around them.

Relationships

3 connections

Microglia binds

Estrogen Receptor beta

The second estrogen receptor, common in brain, bone and vascular tissue. Part of why estradiol is needed for mood, libido and bone density.

Microglia elevates

Oxidative Stress

Damage from reactive oxygen outpacing the cell's ability to mop it up. One of the mechanisms behind androgen effects on liver and heart tissue that are not explained by the receptor alone.

Microglia stimulates

Neuroinflammation

Immune activation inside brain tissue. Short bursts are protective. Sustained activation is not, and it limits the very functions the immune cells were maintaining. Estrogen is one of the main brakes on it, which is the mechanistic core of why crashing estrogen has a cost.

Beyond this page

Microglia also connects to 2 entries in the applied modules, covering supplements, compounds, hormones and food sources. Those carry the mechanism and the evidence tier behind each link, and they are part of client coaching.

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