Support this glorious organ to balance your hormones!
Did you know that the liver plays a key role in balancing hormones? If you’re feeling like your hormones might be out of whack – it’s likely that your liver needs some loving!
It is common for women today to struggle with some kind of hormonal imbalance. From PMS to infertility – we are seeing an influx of hormone-related conditions. Some of the most common imbalances include PMS, menorrhagia or heavy menstruation, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and poly cystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Each of these conditions has one thing in common: an imbalance in the amounts of estrogen and progesterone your body makes. Most often there is an overabundance of estrogen and a lack of progesterone. There are many reasons for this type of imbalance, including chronic stress and adrenal dysfunction, over exposure to environmental estrogens, and diet and lifestyle. The liver plays a crucial role in how the body balances estrogen and is a key player in naturally balancing female hormones.
Your liver is a true wonder! It is your largest glandular organ, and it works with almost every other organ to keep you alive. One of the main functions of the liver is to act as a filter in the body and remove any harmful or toxic substances. There are two phases of detoxification in the liver, and these rely on certain vitamins and minerals to successfully protect the body against toxicity. However, it is common for the liver to be overwhelmed by our modern lifestyle. Environmental pollution, pesticides in food, too much alcohol or too many prescription drugs, and a lack of nutrient-dense food can cause the liver to be sluggish, becoming slow and inefficient. Then the liver will focus most of its energy on removing excess toxins rather than other important duties, such as breaking down excess hormones in the body.
The liver works to balance your hormones by taking excess hormones, breaking them down, and sending them to the colon for removal. Estrogen is one of the main hormones broken down by the liver. If the liver is too busy getting rid of toxins in the body, it can’t keep up with the elimination of excess estrogen. Estrogens that haven’t been metabolized properly by the liver will be reabsorbed back into the body. Too much estrogen, known as estrogen dominance, can lead to many of those common hormonal imbalances. To reduce estrogen in the body, focusing on liver function is essential.
Here are some ways to support your liver and, in turn, balance estrogen and other hormones in the body.
1. Follow an anti-inflammatory diet. Fill your plate with whole, unprocessed vegetables and high fiber foods. Avoid sugar and refined flours as they tax the liver.
2. Eat foods that support liver detoxification. Cruciferous vegetables rev up the liver’s detoxifying capacity. Veggies like kale, collards, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussel sprouts contain phytonutrients like sulforaphane, which induce the second phase of liver detoxification. Broccoli sprouts, dandelion greens, artichokes, avocados, garlic, turmeric, and green tea are also liver superfoods!
3. Reduce or remove alcohol. The liver must process and remove alcohol from the body, and too much vino can really stress it out. If you are dealing with any of the hormonal conditions mentioned in this post, going alcohol free can really make a difference.
4. Reduce your exposure to Xenoestrogens. Xenoestrogens are environmental chemicals that mimic estrogen in the body, causing an overabundance in the body. Plastics, pesticides, chlorine, and substances found in make-up, shampoos, and skin products all contain these fake estrogens. Choose organic meats and produce wherever possible. Transition to all natural products. Add some green, air purifying plants to your home.
5. Take a liver boosting supplement! Milk thistle is an herb that contains the antioxidant silymarin. Silymarin prevents the depletion of glutathione in the liver, our bodies main antioxidant. Without this antioxidant, the liver cannot detoxify properly. You can supplement with milk thistle in capsule or tincture form. You can also pick up some milk thistle tea from your health food store and drink 2 cups daily.
If you struggle with PMS, menstrual abnormalities, fibroids, or other hormonal conditions, it’s time to start showing your liver some more love! Following some or all of these liver-supportive tips can help balance estrogen in the body and reduce symptoms related to your hormonal conditions.
Kris Smyth
Master Nutritionist Therapist and Certified Health Coach
Her Health Coach certification was received in 2011 through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition (IIN). This certification allows Kris to be a coach and a support system in helping clients reach their health goals. In 2013, Kris moved from NYC to Denver to earn her Nutrition Therapy Practitioner certification at the Nutrition Therapy Institute (NTI). Kris was educated by highly experienced naturopathic doctors and nutritionists in science-based nutrition and nutrition protocols to effectively help prevent dis-ease, support healing and optimize health. In 2016, she received her second certification through NTI to become a Master Nutrition Therapist. Kris has also worked alongside acupuncturists, naturopaths, and functional medicine practitioners to further enhance her knowledge and experience in holistic health and nutrition.
Kris currently lives in Brooklyn where she runs Kris Wellness and partners with some of the best wellness practitioners in Brooklyn. She is the premier Holistic Nutrition Consultant at The Meal Collective – a natural food chef service offering private and group chef services that provide its clients with convenient, healthy, and therapeutic meals. She also works at Element Healing Arts in Carroll Gardens, offering individualized nutrition consulting to its clients. Finally, Kris is a nutritionist at InviteHealth, a high quality supplement company with shops all over the greater New York City area.