Endothelial Glycocalyx & Menopause: Vascular Support
In every stage of life, whole-body wellness relies on healthy circulation. The endothelial glycocalyx and optimized nitric oxide production are two important elements of healthy circulation. As natural hormonal changes occur during perimenopause and menopause, healthy circulation becomes even more critical. This article explains the mechanisms connecting estrogen, nitric oxide, and the endothelial glycocalyx during this timeframe. It also introduces lifestyle and supplement approaches that can help support vascular health for women and men throughout the lifespan.
Quick facts at a glance:
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The endothelial glycocalyx (EGX) is the delicate inner lining inside every blood vessel. It helps regulate blood flow, and its normal structure and function can naturally change with age and midlife transitions.
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Nitric oxide is a signalling molecule that helps blood vessels relax so oxygen and nutrients can reach their intended targets
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The dietary supplement Arterosil HP® with MonitumRS® supports the EGX*
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Vascanox HP® with Noxa24® supports nitric oxide production for up to 24 hours.*††
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Regular movement, a low-glycemic and antioxidant-rich food plan, sleep, and stress management are supportive lifestyle measures for vascular well-being any time in life, including during perimenopause and menopause.
††As measured by saliva NO test strips in an open label published study.
What Is the Endothelial Glycocalyx
Endothelial glycocalyx (EGX): The delicate, micro-thin lining that coats the inside of every blood vessel in the body, acting as a slippery-smooth, semi-permeable barrier between blood and the vessel wall.
The EGX performs several functions that support vascular well-being:*
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Acts as a protective, semi-permeable barrier that regulates what passes into the vessel wall.
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Senses shear stress from moving blood and triggers nitric oxide, supporting vessel relaxation and healthy blood flow.
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Helps maintain the entire endothelium, supporting circulation to organs and tissues throughout the body.
Because the EGX is foundational to how blood moves through the body, its normal structure and function are relevant to vascular resilience at every life stage, including the transition through perimenopause and menopause.
Why Does the Endothelial Glycocalyx Matter for Perimenopause and Menopause?
Estradiol (a hormone in the estrogen category) is a very important hormone in women’s vascular health, and it naturally declines during perimenopause and menopause. During the 20s and 30s, in most women estradiol levels are elevated and help support healthy nitric oxide production, helps the body handle oxidative stress, and helps balance blood flow. When estradiol levels fall during peri- and menopause, those protective effects fall with it, and the result is changes in the endothelial glycocalyx and overall vascular health and function.*
Why the glycocalyx specifically? Because the endothelial glycocalyx is the first line of defense for the entire vascular system. To have healthy blood vessels, one must have a healthy endothelial glycocalyx.
Every cardiovascular risk factor a woman accumulates through midlife, including stress, imperfect diet, and gut health, affects the EGX. With the natural decline in estrogen during perimenopause and menopause, you get accelerated vascular aging at exactly the moment estradiol’s hormonal protection drops away. In order to have a healthy vascular system, you must have a healthy endothelial glycocalyx.*
This is why supporting the endothelial glycocalyx throughout life is so important, and especially during perimenopause and menopause.
Supplements That Support the Endothelial Glycocalyx and Vascular Health*
Arterosil HP with MonitumRS is the gold standard for endothelial glycocalyx support.*
Arterosil HP uniquely contains MonitumRS, a proprietary extract of rhamnan sulfate from Monostroma nitidum. MonitumRS is scientifically shown to protect and restore the endothelial glycocalyx up to 103.8% of baseline after only 24 hours.*† Arterosil HP with MonitumRS supports the endothelial glycocalyx and is taken as one capsule, twice daily.
Vascanox HP with Noxa24 supports nitric oxide production for up to 24 hours.*†† Nitric oxide levels decline with age, stress, and diet, affecting energy, recovery, and cardiovascular function. Vascanox HP supports nitric oxide production for a full 24 hours,†† a breakthrough that supports endurance, clarity, and long-term cardiovascular health.*
Individual needs vary, and anyone taking prescription medications or managing a health condition should speak with a healthcare provider before adding any new dietary supplement.
†As demonstrated in an independent third-party laboratory in vitro study.
††As measured by saliva NO test strips in an open label published study.
Practical, Evidence-Informed Ways Women Can Support Healthy Circulation During Perimenopause and Menopause
Lifestyle choices can support healthy circulation throughout life, including in perimenopause and menopause.
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Movement: Regular activity such as walking, hiking, or other steady aerobic movement stimulates blood flow, builds muscle, and supports overall cardiovascular health.
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Dietary choices: A low-glycemic, moderate-salt, antioxidant-rich eating pattern, like the DASH or Mediterranean approaches, helps support vascular resilience.
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Sleep and stress strategies: Healthy sleep routines and mindfulness practices contribute to overall wellness.
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Alcohol and hydration: Moderating alcohol consumption and maintaining hydration helps support vascular wellness.
As always, talk to your healthcare provider about a vascular wellness plan that is tailored to your unique circumstances, goals, and needs. Learn more about how to support your endothelial glycocalyx every day.
Evidence & Methods: What the Science Shows and How Calroy Evaluated Arterosil HP with MonitumRS
MonitumRS is the primary active ingredient in Arterosil HP. MonitumRS is a patented extract of a compound called rhamnan sulfate derived from the green seaweed Monostroma nitidum. It was evaluated by an independent third-party laboratory assessing its effect on the structure and function of the endothelial glycocalyx in vitro. MonitumRS is scientifically shown to protect and restore the endothelial glycocalyx.*†
†As demonstrated in an independent third-party laboratory in vitro study.
A published case series studying Arterosil HP on key vascular health metrics is also available.
Rhamnan sulfate from Monostroma nitidum is backed by over 70 papers studying its properties, and MonitumRS is protected under U.S. Patent No. 11,135,238.
Explore research on endothelial glycocalyx health here.
When thinking about how to support optimal blood flow, nitric oxide is a well-known, essential molecule for blood vessel health. Nitric oxide is produced on demand throughout the body as needed, and only lasts for milliseconds in the blood. Optimizing nitric oxide production so that blood vessels can dynamically respond for whole-body health is essential for every tissue and organ in the body. Vascanox HP was studied in a human, open-label study in which a single dose was shown to increase salivary nitric oxide levels for up to 24 hours, as measured by saliva NO test strips in an open label published study.*
Explore research on nitric oxide and vascular health here.
Safety, Dosing, and When to Consult a Clinician
Arterosil HP with MonitumRS is generally taken as one capsule twice daily, and Vascanox HP with Noxa24 is generally taken as 1-2 capsules once daily. Both are dietary supplements manufactured in the USA with U.S. and globally sourced ingredients.
If you have specific medical conditions or take prescriptions, we recommend speaking with your healthcare provider before adding any supplement to your routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What supplements support the endothelial glycocalyx?
Arterosil HP with MonitumRS supports the endothelial glycocalyx.* MonitumRS is scientifically shown to protect and restore the endothelial glycocalyx.*†
†As demonstrated in an independent third-party laboratory in vitro study.
How do hormonal changes during menopause affect the endothelial glycocalyx?
Natural hormonal changes during menopause may influence nitric oxide production and endothelial glycocalyx function. The endothelial glycocalyx naturally changes with age regardless of gender, and supporting it through diet, movement, and targeted supplements can help maintain healthy circulation regardless of age.*
What is the connection between nitric oxide and vascular health during menopause?
Nitric oxide supports vessel relaxation to help maintain healthy circulation during menopause. Estrogen helps support healthy nitric oxide production. When estrogen naturally declines during midlife transition, this support also declines. Vascanox HP with Noxa24 supports nitric oxide production for up to 24 hours.*††
††As measured by saliva NO test strips in an open label published study.
How can women support healthy circulation during perimenopause or any stage of life?
Women can support healthy circulation during perimenopause or any stage of life with regular movement, a balanced food plan, stress and sleep strategies, and targeted dietary supplements. See the lifestyle section above for specific, supportive measures, and consult a healthcare provider for individualized guidance.
What is rhamnan sulfate from Monostroma nitidum?
Rhamnan sulfate is a sulfated polysaccharide extracted from the green seaweed Monostroma nitidum and used in MonitumRS to support the endothelial glycocalyx.* Calroy’s proprietary extract, MonitumRS, is protected under U.S. Patent No. 11,135,238.
Can Arterosil HP and Vascanox HP be taken together?
Yes. Each of these supplements support a different part of the vascular system. Arterosil HP helps protect and restore the endothelial glycocalyx, Vascanox HP sustains nitric oxide for optimal circulation. Used together, they complement one another for comprehensive vascular support.* Speak with a healthcare provider before starting any dietary supplement.
Resource for further reading
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Moreau KL, Hildreth KL, Meditz AL, Deane KD, Kohrt WM. Endothelial function is impaired across the stages of the menopause transition in healthy women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2012 Dec;97(12):4692-700. doi: 10.1210/jc.2012-2244. Epub 2012 Sep 11. PMID: 22969140; PMCID: PMC3513538.
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McClatchey PM, Schafer M, Hunter KS, Reusch JEB. The endothelial glycocalyx promotes homogenous blood flow distribution within the microvasculature. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2016;311(1):H168-176. doi:10.1152/ajpheart.00132.2016
Machin DR, Bloom SI, Campbell RA, et al. Advanced age results in a diminished endothelial glycocalyx. American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology. 2018;315(3):H531-H539. doi:10.1152/ajpheart.00104.2018
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Ayyalasomayajula M, Proctor DN, Damani JJ, Bowlus C, Gosalia J, Spicuzza JM. Exploring Glycocalyx shedding markers: A comparative analysis of plasma markers among premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Physiol Rep. 2026;14(12):e70964. doi:10.14814/phy2.70964
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