Hormones and Detox
Heal your liver for healthy hormones
Spring is right around the corner and you might be feeling the urge to begin decluttering and deep cleaning your home. As we begin to come out of our winter hibernation, we start to notice that inexplicable urge to clean everything and better organize our lives. Spring cleaning has become something of a ritual or tradition for many of us in the West, and while an environmental refresh might be second nature, I want to encourage you to bring this energy into all areas of your life; it’s the perfect time to declutter and cleanse your home, your body and your relationships.
Over time, we experience a bioaccumulation of toxins in the body. My last post touches on the impact of toxicity on the lymphatic system and how this relates to the hormones, and we can see a similar response with the liver as it deals with toxic overload. You might not immediately link a stressed liver to hormonal dysfunction, but this hardworking organ actually plays an important role in hormone health.
Your liver, your hormones - an unlikely couple
The liver supports over 500 different functions in the body, including the metabolism of fats, carbs and proteins; bile production to support the digestion process; creation of important cellular building blocks including cell membrane compounds like phospholipids; and regulating the balance of sex hormones, thyroid hormones, cortisone and other adrenal hormones.
The liver has the important job of detoxing excess hormones - especially estrogen - from the body. When the liver isn’t functioning optimally, it’s unable to effectively detox estrogen at its normal rate, potentially leading to estrogen dominance. Estrogen dominance occurs when there’s an imbalance of this hormone relative to progesterone levels, throwing off the ratio of these two closely-related hormones. This is a naturally occurring biological process as we age; however, it can happen prematurely and excessively due to toxicity, poor diet, exogenous hormones, and trauma. Some of the symptoms associated with this hormonal imbalance include:
Fibroids
Severe PMS
Anxiety and depression
Weight gain
Heavy periods
Low libido in men
Love your liver with the right nutrients and supplements
In order to function properly and effectively remove toxins from the body, the liver needs to be supported with the right nutrients and supplements.
Important Nutrients for the Liver:
Bitters
Curcumin
B vitamins
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Amino acids
Glutathione
DIM
Indole-3-Carbinol (I-3-C)
Liver Supporting Foods:
Broccoli
Spinach
Kale
Almonds
Oatmeal
Blueberries
Flaxseed and pumpkin seed oil
Dandelion and milk thistle tea
Supplements for Liver Support:
Perfect Aminos - Body Health (Use code: DIVINE for 10% off)
Detox Your Home
The body is chronically stressed by hundreds of environmental toxins every day that put a greater strain on the liver and interfere with hormone balance. These endocrine disruptors are found in synthetic chemical compounds like parabens, phthalates and sulfates in beauty products; BPA in plastic bottles; heavy metals, pesticides and contaminants in our drinking water and food supply; detergents; product packaging; and cleaning products for the home.
When our internal environment is inundated with these endocrine disruptors, we may face a host of problems that extend far beyond our sex hormones. While some of this exposure is inescapable, there are steps we can take to detox our environment and avoid these hormone disruptors as much as possible. Always look at labels of your beauty and cleaning products and buy only natural, non-toxic products. The Environmental Working Group is an excellent resource for clean products, as well as the latest research on environmental toxicity. While spring cleaning this year, make sure you take some time to go through your household and get rid of any products that could be adding more toxic load on your body.
Detox Your Life
While you’re at it, reflect on your daily habits, as well as the energetic load of your relationships, and begin to strip away any practices or behaviours that may be contributing to toxicity in your life. Like all matters of holistic health, this is a full body, mind, and spirit process that will help you to declutter the mess and strip away anything that doesn’t support your most vibrant health and well-being. Start incorporating these practices today to heal your liver and balance your hormones!
Lifestyle Practices for Detox:
Drink lots of water
Limit alcohol intake
Improve sleep patterns
Reduce processed foods and sugar
Include daily exercise or movement
Choose natural products (skin and hair care, cleaning products)
Eat detox-supporting foods