1.   Dr. Sundeep Khosla, an endocrinologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., said estrogen protected against bone loss by decreasing the production of cytokines.

2.   Many older women take estrogen to protect against bone loss and heart disease.

3.   Some gynecologists say they will continue, for the time being, to recommend that some women take estrogen to protect against heart disease.

4.   Some concern has been expressed about lower levels of estrogen harming bones, which estrogen protects.

5.   The belief that estrogen protects the heart did not come out of nowhere.

6.   The new study does not prove that estrogen protects the brain.

7.   Two recent studies challenge the long-held belief that taking estrogen protects against heart disease.

8.   Previous research has found that estrogen protects against heart disease, fights brittle bones, decreases the risk of colon cancer and may help women live longer.

9.   Brundage suggested that estrogen may protect some women from arterial clogging, but said further research is needed.

10.   New research bolsters the theory that the female hormone estrogen might protect women from colorectal cancer.