Liver Support for Feminine Radiance

Today, we will focus on the importance and habits of one of the organs essential for beauty and hormone balance. The liver is crucial for detoxifying the blood, producing bile for digestion, regulating blood sugar, synthesizing proteins for clotting and managing immune responses. Specially for women and within monthly changes, the liver detoxifies excess hormones, such as estrogen during the luteal phase.

The liver most important role is to filter blood all day and every day. The hepatic artery brings oxygen rich blood to the liver, and blood coming from the digestive system enters the liver through the hepatic portal vein carrying nutrients, medications or toxins.

Liver functions

• It produces bile, which is a yellow-green acidic liquid that helps carry away waste and break down fats in the small intestine during digestion

• Produces plasma, which carries nutrients, hormones, proteins and waste products.

• Produces cholesterol, essential for hormone production, those anti inflammatories as well as female hormones.

• It converts unused glucose into glycogen for storage

• Regulates levels of amino acids in blood.

• Fight infections by making immune factors and removing bacteria from the bloodstream.

• It removes harmful substances from the body by breaking them down into smaller byproducts.

Feminine Health and the Liver Function

Now, when it comes to particular women's health, conditions such as PCOS or endometriosis can also exacerbate liver conditions or hinder the detoxification process by promoting insulin resistance and fat accumulation in the liver.

• Menstruation: when we are bleeding, hormonal shifts can alter liver enzyme levels, impacting the overall health. The fluctuations can worsen pre-existing liver conditions or contrbute to symptoms such as increased fatigue or abdominal discomfort. Tiredness during the morning: when you feel tired during the morning after a good night of sleep, that may signal that the liver is needing some extra help.

• Acne or skin conditions: as the liver is an organ of detoxification, when there is impairment, the body can start trying to detox through other means, for instance with acne.

• Hormonal imbalance: endometriosis, fibroids, PMS or PCOS. When struggling with this conditions it is essential to support your liver so it can detoxify the excess of hormones that are leading to the flaring up of symptoms that you might be experiencing.

Holistic Habits for Liver Support

There are certain holistic habits that can be incorporated so as to support the liver.

• Have a glass of water with a drops of lemon in the mornings, since this will help to cleanse the liver and hydrate you after the night of sleep.

• Increase your consumption of greens and bitters: leafy greens (the darker, the better) such as spinach, kale and arugula, as well as cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage and bok choy, are essential for liver health due to the high antioxidant components, as well as chlorophyll and sulfur content, which reduce fat buildup and support detoxification. The consumption of these nutrient-dense foods will protect the liver cells from damage and reduce inflammation.

• Other herbal support:

  - Celery: supports the liver health due to the high amount of antioxidants such as apigenin and luteolin, which reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.

  - Dandelion: used a a tonic for liver health, it stimulates bile production, enhances detoxification and reduces inflammation. It also protects liver cells from oxidative stress and damage.

  - Milk thistle: due to its primary compound, silymarin, which acts as an antioxidant, reduces inflammation and can help regenerate liver tissue. It also increases glutathione levels, a strong antioxidant that reduces oxidative stress on the liver.

What to avoid

As you are supporting your liver to get rid of everything that does not serve your body, it is equally as important to avoid everything that will create stagnation. So be mindful of your consumption of the following, and try to reduce:

• Fast food: since it contains excess sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. As well as processed foods which contain chemicals that need to be processed by the liver and can lead to inflammation and fat buildup.

• Sweetened foods: foods with excessive amounts of sugar put extra stress on the liver. Specially those that contain syrups, juices, nectars. This also applies to sugary drinks such as sports drinks, energy drinks, and fruit drinks.

• Artificial sweeteners: low calorie foods such as diet bars, or diet sodas contain artificial sweeteners like aspartame, sucralose or saccharin.

• Alcohol: it will impair all detoxification.

It is not necessary to suddenly change up all your habits. Rather, start by picking a new one and trying to eliminate one that will impair proper detoxification. For instance, reducing fast food and increasing the consumption of dark leafy greens. Small changes will compound, and as soon as you start feeling the effects you will want to introduce more changes into your routines, so as to feel lighter and with more energy.