The Connection Between Detox and Women’s Hormonal Health
Hormones sometimes get blamed for things like mood swings, acne, and questionable decision making. But hormones also deserve credit! They help regulate us around the clock, give us the sensitivity to react to our environment, the ability to form deep connections and bring life into the world!
These “chemical messengers” also determine our appetites, metabolism, sleep quality, stress responses and influence our mood, weight and energy levels!
Hormones are governed by the endocrine system and work together to help conduct physiological rhythms throughout the day and night. Produced by endocrine glands, hormones are released in the bloodstream in controlled pulses, and act on target receptor cells. Once they “deliver their message” they are cleared from the body… ideally.
Efficient metabolism of hormones is a crucial factor for hormonal balance. For women, if excess hormones aren’t broken down and eliminated, they can accumulate and stimulate tissues, resulting in imbalances producing symptoms such as:
Breast tenderness or pain
Irregular cycles
Issues with fertility
Fatigue
Low libido
PMS
Perimenopausal symptoms
Skin Issues
Mood Swings
Estrogen dominance
This is where detox support comes in. Not only does efficient detoxification help to remove waste from hormone metabolism, it helps to keep the body clear of environmental toxins, waste products from diet, body care and pharmaceuticals that can also influence the endocrine system, allowing for the body’s systems to function at their most efficient.
The liver is the primary site for hormone processing before elimination. Supporting liver health and its phases of detoxification – activation, conjugation and excretion – is an effective way to work towards hormonal health.
Hepato DR® contains herbs that support all three phases of liver detox:
Milk Thistle helps protect liver cells and supports regeneration
Dandelion and globe artichoke both promote bile flow and production, and elimination of stool from the body in a non habit-forming manner.
Oregon grape helps to support estrogen elimination.
The Berberine in Oregon grape activates AMPK enzymes in the liver, improves metabolic detoxification capacity.
Oregon grape helps with bile production and movement and is antimicrobial on its own, all helping to prevent gut dysbiosis. Gut dysbiosis can create metabolic “backlog” slowing overall detoxification.
Wild yam may decrease estrogen in circulation.
The liver is a vital organ for many of the body’s processes including efficient hormone balance, which, once balanced, are more likely to stay balanced!
“Schisandra is such a vibrantly colored and wonderfully flavourful herb. It is one of my all-time favorite herbs to add to hormonal balancing tincture formulas for patients that need a little extra liver love.”
Dr. Blossom Bitting, ND
Another approach to detox, is to support the body’s channels of elimination holistically. 4 Seasons Detox kit provides a gentle detox with support for the liver, bowel, kidneys and lymphatic system Works to help remove accumulated waste products via channels of elimination and encourage healthy elimination.
Liver Tonic Tea is made with whole schisandra berries, powerful adaptogens, rich in antioxidants that provide protective benefits for the liver, supporting its vital functions.
Kidney Cleanse combines 4 herbs blend that supports healthy urine flow and enhances the removal of accumulated waste products via the kidneys.
Lymphatic Cleanse combines 9 targeted herbs that optimize the health of the lymphatic system, by improving lymph flow, cleansing lymphatic tissue, and working to effectively eliminate waste from the lymphatic and glandular system.
Bowel Cleanse supports efficient elimination of byproducts of metabolism and toxins filtered by the lymphatic system and liver through the bowel – and mobilizes toxins in the digestive tract.
While cleaning can help you to reset and restore optimal hormonal health – daily lifestyle matters. Do your best to support the foundations of health: nutrient rich, unprocessed diet, quality sleep and stress management. It’s all connected!
Did you know?
Dietary choices can also influence detoxification of hormones for women. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower contain compounds that support healthy estrogen metabolism.
Our education centre offers information on common women’s hormonal health issues, as well as detox resources.
Navigating hormonal health can be challenging at times, but uncomfortable symptoms can be managed! Consulting with a Naturopathic Doctor can help to define your health needs, identify any underlying factors, and define a personalized treatment plan for supporting holistic hormonal health.
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