What’s New in Metabolic energy switch


  • This review looks at how menopause may increase the chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease, and which biological changes might be responsible. It notes that most people with Alzheimer’s are women, that earlier menopause is linked…


  • Postmenopausal sarcopenia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are linked through a shared muscle–brain metabolic pathway. It highlights that women make up around two‑thirds of AD cases and that more than 60% are postmenopausal, then argues that…


  • This study used MRI and body measures from more than 19,000 people to show that brain activity does not age in a straight line but goes through sharper “turning points,” with a key shift starting…


  • Researchers found key differences in inflammation and blood sugar levels after eating in post-menopausal versus pre-menopausal women. The unfavourable effect of menopause on blood sugar control, which is a key risk factor for cardiovascular disease…


  • A hormone made by bone, osteocalcin, helps regulate blood sugar, mood, memory and movement by acting on the brain as well as the rest of the body. In animal and human data, low osteocalcin is…


  • Loss of estrogen results in reduced osteoblast mediated bone formation and enhanced osteoclastic resorption (Emmanuelle et al., 2021). Given the recent expansion of interest in understanding how these cellular processes are regulated via metabolic flux and bioenergetic…


  • In post-menopausal women, the earliest change in the brain appears to be a fall in the amount of glucose used by the brain, indicating reduced brain activity. This is due to falling estrogen levels, this…


  • In the absence of estradiol, brain glucose transport diminishes significantly. This effectively starves the brain for energy inducing severe bioenergetic deficiencies with all of the concordant neuronal damage one might expect. The reduction in glucose…


  • Estrogen is a fundamental regulator of the metabolic system of the female brain and body. Within the brain, estrogen regulates glucose transport, aerobic glycolysis, and mitochondrial function to generate ATP. In the body, estrogen protects…


  • During perimenopause, the drop in oestrogen leads to reduced glucose metabolism and increased ketogenic (fat burning) metabolism in the brain.


  • Steroid hormones regulate metabolic flexibility at the level of the mitochondria. Estradiol, the most frequently studied among the steroid hormones, plays a pivotal role in determining how food fuel is converted into cellular fuel or…


  • Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that occur together, including – increased blood pressure – high blood sugar – excess body fat around the waist, and – abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels. Having just…


  • Hot flashes, undoubtedly the most common symptom of menopause, are not just uncomfortable and inconvenient, but numerous studies demonstrate they may increase the risk of serious health problems, including heart disease. A new study suggests…

From my Substack

I write regularly about menopause, symptoms, biology, and the wider story women are so often not told. Some of the articles will be part of my book. If you want to go deeper into the thinking behind my work, you can start here.

The Ultimate Guide to Perimenopause and Menopause: Making Sense of the Chaos
Perimenopause and the ADHD Shift

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Sandra Ishkanes  Natural Menopause Specialist based in Brighton, serving clients worldwide via Online Consultations   
BSc Molecular Biology (King’s College London) | DipION | Functional Medicine Practitioner
Registered member, Association of Naturopathic Practitioners (ANP) – the UK professional body for accredited naturopathic and functional medicine practitioners. ANP members hold accredited qualifications, carry professional indemnity insurance, and follow a strict code of ethics.

© 2026 Sandra Ishkanes  ·  sandraishkanes.co.uk

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The information provided on this website is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Sandra Ishkanes is a Functional Medicine Practitioner and Molecular Biologist, not a medical doctor. Always seek the advice of your GP or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or before making any changes to your diet, lifestyle, or supplement regimen—especially if you are currently taking prescription medication or HRT. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.