Sleep’s Crucial Role in Recovery and Hormones

Every 80 seconds, a woman dies from heart disease — yet most still think cancer is the bigger threat.

In this minisode, I sit down with Dr. Jeremy London, board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon, to unpack why women’s cardiovascular risk skyrockets after menopause and how hormones, inflammation, and lifestyle choices all connect. This episode features highlights from our full conversation, which premiered July 24th, 2025.

Watch the full episode here → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jbvQRZgb3w

Dr. London explains how declining estrogen drives visceral fat, raises cholesterol, and fuels chronic inflammation — creating a “perfect storm” for heart attacks, strokes, and even Alzheimer’s.

From estrogen and inflammation to cholesterol, exercise, and sleep — this conversation exposes the real science behind heart and brain health. If you’ve ever wondered how to protect yourself from the #1 killer of women, this episode will change how you think about prevention, hormones, and longevity.

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I’m Louisa Nicola — clinical neurophysiologist  — Alzheimer’s prevention specialist — founder of Neuro Athletics.

My mission is to translate cutting-edge neuroscience into actionable strategies for cognitive longevity, peak performance, and brain disease prevention.

If you're committed to optimizing your brain — reducing Alzheimer’s risk — and staying mentally sharp for life, you’re in the right place.

Stay sharp. Stay informed. Join thousands who subscribe to the Neuro Athletics Newsletter → https://bit.ly/3ewI5P0

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Topics discussed:

00:00 – Why Women’s Heart Risk Triples After Menopause

00:55 – Estrogen’s Role: Anti-Inflammatory and Protective

01:45 – Weight Gain, Visceral Fat, and Inflammation

02:09 – Cholesterol, LDL, and Rising Risks Post-Menopause

02:38 – The “Perfect Storm” of Metabolic Decline

03:13 – How the Women’s Health Initiative Misled Women on Hormones

03:36 – Estrogen, Brain Health, and Alzheimer’s Connection

04:45 – The #1 Global Killer: Cardiovascular Disease

05:26 – What “Heart Disease” Really Means

06:00 – Cholesterol Explained: HDL, LDL, and Triglycerides

07:37 – Why ApoB Is a More Accurate Marker

09:18 – Plaque Formation and Early Intervention

10:11 – The Study That Reversed Heart Aging by 20 Years

11:24 – VO₂ Max, Zone-5 Training, and Longevity

12:16 – Resistance Training and “Muscle as the Organ of Longevity”

13:09 – Why Consistency Beats Intensity

13:57 – The Sitting Disease and Daily Movement

14:22 – The Power of Nutrition: “Your Body Is the Soil”

15:02 – Whole Foods, Processed Diets, and Alcohol

16:24 – Can Plaque Be Reversed? The Truth

17:11 – Alzheimer’s and Lifestyle: Prevention Starts in Your 30s

18:19 – The Final Pillar: Sleep and Recovery

19:28 – Why Sleep Fuels Brain and Heart Health

20:12 – Which Health Pillar Matters Most for You

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