Episode 24 - Oestrogen, Genetics & Long COVID with Emma Beswick

12 Aug

Healthily | 08/12/21

The number of clients I’m seeing with long COVID is growing, and I know there are many people out there who are suffering with the long-term effects of this confusing and shape-shifting illness.

My lovely friend and colleague Emma Beswick from @lifecodegx has been immersed in trying to unpick some of the genetic links affecting those with long COVID, so I wanted to capture a conversation with her about what she is learning, what it means, and what we can do about it.

You may remember Emma from the very first series of Healthily, when she spoke to me about Nutrition & Genetics. It’s one of the most popular episodes of the podcast to date! Emma is an incredible woman with a huge brain and unquenchable interest in nutrigenomics (the scientific study of the interaction of nutrition and genes, especially with regard to the prevention or treatment of disease).

In this episode, we discuss how the genes involved in our stress response and oestrogen production that may well impact our ability to recover from viral infection. And, importantly, she covers the actionable steps that can be taken to support these pathways. There is so much to take away from this episode, and I’m very grateful to Emma for giving up her time to speak to me.

Thank you, thank you once again to Mother Root for sponsoring this series of the podcast.

Thanks also to all of you for listening and supporting this 3rd series! Today’s episode is the last in this current batch, but I hope to be back with a 4th series before the end of the year. As always, please tag anyone who you think might be interested in this episode, and please do give a 5-star rating (or even a review) if you’re happy to, as that really helps the podcast to be presented to other people.

TAKEAWAYs

✔️ Genetics influence vulnerability — not destiny

While we can’t change our genes, we can change how we support them. Genetic variants may create weaker points in stress regulation, hormone balance, immune response, and inflammation — but these areas can often be supported through diet, lifestyle, rest, and targeted nutrients.

Genetics loads the gun; environment pulls the trigger.

✔️ Stress regulation is central to long COVID

A key finding from Lifecode GX data revealed that many individuals with long COVID had genetic variants that affected cortisol regulation.

These individuals may have a heightened stress response
Cortisol may be too high, too low, or released at the wrong times
Chronic stress can exhaust the system, leading to fatigue, poor sleep, anxiety, and impaired recovery

The cumulative stress of modern life — emotional, hormonal, social, and infectious — can overwhelm an already vulnerable system.

✔️ Women in midlife may be more susceptible — and here’s why

Women aged roughly 35–60 appear more vulnerable to long COVID due to a convergence of factors:

Hormonal fluctuation (especially perimenopause)
High caregiving and emotional load
Greater baseline stress
Genetic variants affecting estrogen receptors

These estrogen receptor variants can lead to higher circulating estrogen, which may overstimulate immune cells (mast cells), increasing histamine and inflammatory responses — worsening fatigue, dizziness, palpitations, and brain fog.

✔️ Long COVID is deeply connected to the nervous system

Many long COVID symptoms are neurological:

Wired-but-tired fatigue
Insomnia
Anxiety
Brain fog
Sensitivity to stimulation

Stress and infection can divert tryptophan away from serotonin production and toward neurotoxic pathways, overstimulating the brain. This creates a loop of exhaustion without rest.

Magnesium plays a crucial role here — acting as a “circuit breaker” for an overexcited nervous system.

✔️ Inflammation, oxidative stress & nutrient depletion drive symptoms

Viral infections place huge demands on the body and can:

Deplete antioxidants
Increase oxidative stress
Hijack nutrients needed for DNA repair and immune regeneration

This makes replenishment essential, not optional.

Key supportive nutrients discussed include:

Vitamin C
Magnesium
Zinc
B vitamins (especially folate)
Antioxidants from plant-rich foods

✔️ Rest is not weakness — it is treatment

One of the most important messages from the episode:

Pushing through delays recovery. Rest accelerates it.

Rest reduces further stress hormone production, allows inflammation to resolve, and supports nervous system repair. Recovery often comes not from “doing more” — but from doing less, gently and consistently.

✔️ Recovery takes time — and it does happen

The episode closes with real, hopeful recovery stories. Many people do improve — often slowly, but meaningfully — especially when they allow time, nourishment, pacing, and compassion.

Long COVID is not a personal failure. It can affect high performers, athletes, and resilient individuals alike. For some, it becomes a turning point toward a healthier, more sustainable future.