If you care about your hormones, support your liver
I often hear from women,
'My hormones are out of whack!'
or…
‘I think I just need a cleanse/detox”
I see women jumping into cleanses or detoxes without considering that what they truly need is to support the organ which is designed for this job!
THE LIVER.
It is a KEY player when it comes to hormone balance & detoxification coupled with considerations for gut health, nervous system regulation, and light habits.
The liver is a powerful organ and when it’s properly supported, it does WONDERS to help your body run smoothly.
Supporting optimal liver function becomes crucial, especially if you're wrestling with:
PMS symptoms
Weight gain/difficulty losing weight
Fatigue
Acne or other skin issues
High stress
Waking up at night (especially those 3AM wake ups)
Blood sugar issues (can’t go long w/o food, hangry easily, cravings)
Getting sick often
Or if you’ve used hormonal birth control pills and other pharmaceuticals frequently in your life.
The liver, often misunderstood as just a 'filter,' actually boasts over 500 roles in the body, including hormonal balance, detoxification, metabolism, blood sugar regulation, immunity, and nutrient absorption & storage.
If your liver gets overwhelmed by toxins or works too slowly, toxins can build up in your body and hormones are not properly metabolized.
To shield your body from harm, the liver stashes toxins in fat cells, making weight loss challenging since your body clings to these fat cells (letting them go would mean releasing the toxins back into the body).
This not only complicates weight loss but also disrupts your mitochondria, affecting energy levels and slowing down your metabolism.
Further, if the liver is struggling, it can throw off blood sugar regulation, potentially contributing further to energy issues and poor-quality sleep or insomnia.
WHY DO THINGS GO WRONG?
Sadly, our contemporary lifestyle is not particularly liver-friendly.
The combination of a diet high in processed and refined foods, exposure to environmental toxins, excessive alcohol consumption, and widespread medication use places a considerable workload on the liver.
Additionally, heightened stress levels and sedentary lifestyles further compound this burden, overwhelming the liver's natural detoxification processes.
HOW TO SUPPORT YOUR LIVER:
Reduce toxic load:
Choose organic options when possible, especially for wheat products and the "dirty dozen," to steer clear of pesticides and herbicides.
Opt for non-toxic cosmetic and beauty products as well as cleaning supplies; opt for glass or stainless steel over plastic when possible
Filter your water: tap water can be high in heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, & fluoride
Limit the use of pharmaceuticals
Keep alcohol intake to a minimum
Reduce consumption of refined & processed foods
Eat enough animal protein: minimum of 80-100g daily (amino acids play an essential role in liver function & detoxification!!)
Include high quality saturated fats in your diet: grass-fed organic beef, butter, eggs, coconut oil/MCT oil, etc.
Include a variety of fruits & vegetables (cooked cruciferous vegetables are great) for antioxidants & fibre!
Support blood sugar regulation: don’t eat carbs “naked,” pair with protein & fibre (this helps take some of the burden off the liver).
Move daily & SWEAT often: exercise and saunas are both great for supporting detoxification
Manage stress & emotions: nature walks, deep breathing, meditation, reading, writing, etc.
Castor oil packs: 3-4x a week for at least 45 minutes (not to be done during menstruation)
Herbal teas: dandelion tea & milk thistle tea are great for supporting liver function & detoxification.
Remember, it’s not about being perfect. It’s just about knowing better so you can slowly start to make more aligned choices. Start with a few simple changes and continue to build from there!
Feeling lost with where to begin? I get it - I’ve been there too. I’ve also helped many women integrate healthier habits into their lives WITHOUT ditching the things they enjoy!
Reply to this email or fill out my contact form to book a call to learn how 1-1 coaching can set you up for success!
