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Detoxing has a direct effect on your hormones. This process begins in the liver and digestive system and supports your hormone metabolism. This keeps estrogen levels within a healthy range and if not managed properly, it can cause estrogen dominance and other hormonal imbalances.
A healthy liver helps balance estrogen levels and requires a nutrient-dense diet to do its job properly. Hydration status, toxin exposure, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals can also influence the way your liver functions. Healthy bowel movements can also help clear excess estrogen. However, estrogen detoxification is heavily dependent on the liver. If either of these systems are not working properly, you may experience symptoms of estrogen dominance.
Some common signs of hormonal imbalance can be…
Weight gain or bloating
Irregular menstrual cycles
Mood swings
Acne
Constipation
Anxiety and depression
Trouble sleeping
Chronic stress
Hair loss or thinning
If you are dealing with any of these symptoms it may be a sign to start a hormone detox. Here are a few ways you can get started today…
Fermented Foods Foods like kimchi and sauerkraut are excellent sources of probiotics, that can support healthy digestion. These foods contain healthy bacteria that help process and metabolize excess estrogen and other hormones.
Avoid Processed Foods Many processed foods, including restaurant meals, serve foods that contain hormone-disrupting chemicals, including xenoestrogens. Xenoestrogens are synthetic compounds that mimic estrogen and can contribute to estrogen dominance. These chemicals cause the liver to overwork itself and impair the detoxification process. This also includes high amounts of sugar, which impact the hormone insulin.
Hydration Staying hydrated is the foundation for the balancing of hormones. Increasing your water intake can support healthy digestion and promotes liver detoxification. It is best to choose clean, filtered water to avoid exposure to any heavy metals and toxins.
Sleep Hygiene A healthy 7-8 hours of sleep each night can help balance your hormones, especially cortisol and melatonin. Sleep regulates cortisol, or the stress hormone, and helps balance other hormones in the body, like your thyroid and estrogen. It is recommended to avoid electronics at least one hour before bed and keep your bedroom at a cool temperature to promote a good night's sleep.
Stop Drinking Coffee Instead of reaching for a cup of coffee daily, try drinking green tea. This tea contains antioxidants called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which have been shown to eliminate excess estrogen in the body.
I recommend starting off with a few or all of these tips to promote a healthy hormone balance. If you want to take it up a notch, check out my Detox-Cleanse program, which is specially designed to promote healthy hormones and eliminate toxin build-up. Click here to learn more!