Aging is a normal process everyone goes through. The best current theories on healthy aging do show it can be slowed down, but that it cannot be stopped. Sure, there are those who push the envelope – individuals spending a million dollars a year to reverse aging. Although they might succeed for a while, eventually their cells run out of turnover capacity. 

Now, we could pour ourselves a massive glass of wine and dive into French existentialism, contemplating existence and trying desperately not to “doom scroll” – or we can pause to really think about this and what it means.

You might want to call it “aging gracefully,” or suggest that someone has “good genes,” but really the rephrasing of this issue should be, “We all want to age as healthfully as we can.”

Although some researchers might explain it better than others, there is a whole line of science around exposomics that looks at why we see aging in a gradient – with some aging too fast while others seem ageless – regarding our genetics and overall lifetime exposures to various things.

Many people will only want to focus on hormonal health when trying to understand how to support healthy aging. When looking at hormonal health for women, however, it really starts to come into focus with ovarian aging. This is because ovarian aging directly impacts hormonal output and is apparent to a woman because she has significant menstrual changes. So, what is ovarian aging and how does it affect healthy aging in women?

What can regulate or impact ovarian aging? 

As a woman ages, she sees the gradual decline in the function of her ovaries that eventually leads to menopause. This is also known as physiological ovarian aging and here there are four major factors that impact ovarian aging.

1. NAD+ – (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme that is necessary for numerous metabolic pathways in the body. NAD+ also has a big role in aging in general. One way to think of NAD+ is like currency. It costs so much to run the human body. When we are younger, it is easy to acquire and maintain a high level of this currency, but when we age, we find there is less to work with. So, areas of support slow down, repairs slow down, the mitochondria become less densely populated in our cells, and tissues begin to age. The ovaries are no different; to function they need a considerable amount of this currency and energy.

An ovarian cell can contain up to 100,000 mitochondria. In contrast, a somatic cell – any cell type other than a reproductive cell – contains only 100-1,000 mitochondria on average. So ovarian cells need a considerable amount of NAD+ to function properly. You will see as we continue to review what impacts ovarian aging that it all centers around what impacts mitochondrial function.

2. Oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) – The relationship between the normal function of the ovaries and ROS is complicated. For ovaries to function normally, there is a balance needed between antioxidant compounds and ROS. If the balance of these gets thrown off, then we are more likely to see acceleration in aging and decreased function. One of the main reasons for this relates to the mitochondria. With the shift in the microenvironment with increased oxidative stress, the number of mitochondria decline, as does the energetic function these little powerhouses provide – all of which can impact the viability of egg cells, egg quality, and hormonal balance. 

3. Environmental toxins – A special class of compounds known as endocrine disruptors can wreak havoc on areas of hormonal control, like the thyroid gland and the ovaries. One particular endocrine disruptor is bisphenol A (BPA). This additive was used to make hard plastics, like the polycarbonate used to make water bottles, baby bottles, and food storage containers. Over time, the effects on the endocrine system have been studied and have continued to show reductions in egg cell quantity and quality. This in turn increases the rate of ovarian aging.

Another “up-and-comer” toxin group that has been making a splash – referred to as the “forever chemical” class – is the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. For some time these compounds have been found in our waterways and drinking water, with levels varying around the United States. In recent years, however, we’ve been seeing more and more about how PFAS are making their way into our lives, with excessive levels seen in global rainwater and in freshwater fish across the U.S. Much like BPA, these compounds are endocrine disrupters that decrease egg quality and egg viability. 

4. The brain-ovary connection – The last area to consider for optimal ovarian health involves the connection between the ovary and the brain. The brain provides the master control where the ovaries initially send feedback to affect what levels of circulating hormones are present, and ends with how the brain controls what these messages are trying to convey. For a long time, these messages were just thought to impact hormonal balance, but newer information sheds light on what can happen to the mitochondria as the communication between the brain and the ovaries goes awry. As these imbalances occur, we can see shifts in mitochondrial function in the ovaries, as well as decreasing numbers, further impacting ovarian function outside of just what we see with shifts in hormones like estrogens.

What can I do to support healthy ovarian aging? 

Supplementation that supports NAD+ – Nicotinamide riboside (NR) is related to vitamin B3, but because of the riboside addition, it has a very specific role, which is to help make NAD+ through a more energy-favorable pathway than its B3 cousins. In ovarian aging models involving NAD+ supplementation (usually with nicotinamide riboside), we do see a slowing of ovarian aging through significant changes in mitochondrial density and numbers.* As we age, naturally our NAD+ levels decline, and the pool of NAD+ to work with shrinks. Because it is related to numerous processes in the body, the pool gets used up quickly and cannot cover all the body’s needs. Increasing this pool back up to normal levels helps ensure that the numerous tasks – such an DNA repair and mitochondrial support – can be accomplished.*

Reduce excessive oxidative stress – This is meant to be a balance. Like yin and yang, there must be an equilibrium of the interconnected forces of anti- and pro-oxidants. When looking at dietary ingredients that support this process, an ideal formula will support both. Plant polyphenols, for example, play a huge role in our antioxidant arsenal. And ingredients like CoQ10 act as a go-between in both oxidative states and support our cellular energy engine known as the electron-transport chain.* Thorne’s Ovarian Care, for example, was formulated with this balance in mind.

Modify dietary and lifestyle toxin intake – Being mindful of what we put in our bodies is really the first line of defense against increased environmental burdens. Sure, we can support healthy excretion/elimination, support healthy processing, etc., but if we continue to add toxins into the system, then the benefits will be limited. Be aware of things like how you reheat your food, the type of water bottle you use, and the sources and amounts of the fish you eat. As for water-based sources of PFAS, newer filtration options can remove these compounds.

Support the brain-ovary connection – Supporting hormonal balance and metabolism plays a big role in ensuring the master control system runs smoothly. If there is a disruption in messaging between the brain and the ovaries, then we might see shifts in oxidative stress in the microenvironment of the ovaries. Good support options assure oxidative forces and hormones are balanced. Compounds like polyphenols and sulfur-containing ingredients – like glucosinolates and isothiocyanates – play a role in both, with some bonus benefits like healthy hormonal metabolism.* Polyphenols in dark red fruits, like pomegranates, and glucosinolates found in the cruciferous family of vegetables, like kale and broccoli, are where we see the densest dietary offerings. Supplementation, however, is usually easier. Thorne’s DIM Advantage has a polyphenol rich extract from pomegranate alongside diindolylmethane (DIM) and broccoli seed extract – all of which support balanced hormonal health.* 

One-carbon metabolism support – This pathway is important for numerous reasons, including DNA repair, neurotransmitter formation, and building cofactors. If we think of it like intertwined gears, then at the top of the loop is the folate (vitamin B9) cycle. As it makes its way down the process tree, methyl groups (or one carbon sources) are pulled from the pool to cover the different processes. When we start to diminish the methyl pool, we can see rises in certain inflammatory compounds like homocysteine. This can happen to certain groups of people faster than others – such as those who have issues with the MTHFR enzyme and how it functions. To support the pool of usable methyl groups, regardless how well your MTHFR enzyme works, we can supplement with 5-MTHF, which is a tissue-ready form of folate.* With folate supplementation, we can see a benefit to ovarian function, independent of DNA repair and environmental factors.* There are a few different ways to look at it, but one that ties back to the uniqueness of the ovarian cell is that it stabilizes CoQ10 levels, which needs a methylation step to become active. Without CoQ10, we see both shifts in excessive oxidative stress and decreases in the mitochondrial energy cascades – which accelerates ovarian aging. Both 5-MTHF and CoQ10 are found in Thorne’s Ovarian Care.

Conclusions

Ovarian aging is a normal process that occurs over time – no matter what. But ovarian aging can be beneficially impacted by providing support that ensures proper functioning throughout the tissues’ health span. At the core of the different external and internal factors are the number and function of the mitochondria within the ovary cells. Because the ovaries are dense in mitochondria, they need them to function properly. Supporting the preservation of both mitochondrial density and function in turn supports overall hormonal health and ovarian aging. 

References

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