Night sweats, trouble sleeping, tender breasts, fatigue, edgy mood—when your hormones are imbalanced it can take over your life and leave you feeling like a shell of yourself.
And to make matters worse, many of these symptoms are just chalked up to being premenstrual or menopausal. The truth? These are all signs of imbalance.
That’s right, it is not normal to wake up drenched in sweat. And you don’t have to put up with excruciating headaches or joint pain. And you certainly don’t need to stand by as your mood crashes and you’re falling apart in tears for no good reason.
Women can struggle with hormone imbalance at all ages, and are often left in the dark as to how to manage it. So what gives?
In this article, we’re going to talk about one of the most common reasons our hormones get out of whack, and how you can nourish your body back into balance.
We’ll cover:
- Why liver health is at the cornerstone of hormonal balance
- How toxic compounds in your environment can alter your hormones
- Surprising sources of hormone disrupting compounds
- Common symptoms of hormone imbalance (and what to do about them)
- The most efficient way to nourish your body, support your liver, and balance your hormones
How Toxins Mess With Your Hormones
The profound impact that toxic compounds have on hormonal health is one of the most overlooked issues in women’s health today. While we may understand that there are certain times of the month (menses), and times in our lives (menopause), when hormones tend to fluctuate more, no one is telling us that the food we eat, products we use, and even the air we breathe could be exacerbating our symptoms.
A group of toxins, aptly labeled Endocrine Disrupting Compounds (EDCs), are everywhere in our modern environment and can directly interfere with our hormonal system and wreak havoc on hormone balance.
Common EDCs include:
- BPA (Bisphenol A) – Found in water bottles, receipts, canned foods, and any plastic containers.
- PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) – Found in our air, water, and soil.
- Phthalates – Found in cosmetics, deodorant, soaps, and any fragranced or colored personal care products.
- Pesticides – Found in GMO and non-organic foods, groundwater (from runoff), cotton clothing, and more.
- Heavy metals – Found in our soil, water, food, personal care, cosmetics, and more. #1 source is the air we breathe. Mercury is an estrogenic metal, called a metalloestrogen.
- PFAS (Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) – Found in non-stick cookware, water-repellent clothing, our food supply, and water supply.
- Parabens – Found in a wide range of personal care products, including cosmetics, moisturizers, shampoo, soap, and processed foods containing preservatives.
How Do EDCs Influence Hormones?
EDCs have a similar structure to hormones, allowing them to target your hormonal system and create a whole lot of confusion. Due to their structure, EDCs are able to dock on hormone receptor sites, effectively mimicking the activity of hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
As they dock on receptors, they’re able to either increase or decrease the activity of specific hormones via a handful of mechanisms[1]:
- Blocking hormone receptors by docking on the receptors themselves
- Altering hormone levels by stimulating or inhibiting their production
- Increasing or blocking the metabolism of hormones
But the influence that these chemicals have doesn’t end with hormone mimicking. In addition to sitting on receptors, EDCs are highly inflammatory and can cause oxidative stress in your body. They’re known to directly target reproductive organs, and research shows that EDCs may accelerate ovarian aging, leading to early onset of menopause[2].
Signs and Symptoms of Hormone Imbalance
As they wreak havoc on your hormonal system, EDCs can instigate or worsen symptoms of imbalance.
For example, research shows that common EDCs may exacerbate hormonal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and anxiety. Phthalates, in particular, have been found to increase sleep disturbance[3][4].
And then there are the heavy metals, lead and cadmium, which interfere with crucial bone-building nutrients, increasing the risk for bone loss and osteoporosis (which is already a serious concern for menopausal women)[5][6].
Other common signs of hormonal imbalance include:
- Weight gain
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Bloating
- Indigestion
- Breast tenderness
- Insomnia
- Painful joints
- Dry skin, or rashes
- Sensitivity to hot or cold
- Changes in blood pressure
- Weak bones
- Depression, anxiety, or changes in mood
- Irritability
- Reduction in sex drive
- Thinning or brittle hair
- Blood sugar imbalance (cravings)
- Changes in appetite
Liver And Hormone Balance: The Critical Connection
With over 500 functions, your liver is one of the most hardworking organs in your body[*]. And when it comes to toxin overload, there’s quite literally no one better for the job. Unfortunately, the number of toxins we encounter today is far beyond anything our ancestors (and their livers) would have had to deal with. As a result, sluggish metabolism and detox pathways have become the norm.
And when it comes to hormonal balance, things get even dicier for the good ‘ol liver. In addition to its role in detoxing toxic compounds like EDCs, your liver is also responsible for eliminating excess hormones in your body.
Under normal conditions, your endocrine system works with your liver to keep a check and balance on the hormones you produce. A little extra estrogen here or there is eliminated by the liver, and homeostasis prevails[7].
But when endocrine disrupting chemicals come in and start pushing the lever to increase hormone production, your liver not only has to take care of the toxins themselves but now it’s also in charge of cleaning up the hormonal mess they leave behind.
Can you see how your poor liver might feel a bit overwhelmed?
And as you might have guessed, an overwhelmed liver leads to a build up of both toxins and hormones, further driving imbalance like a snowball effect.
So how do you get ahead when EDCs are everywhere in our environment and your liver is under attack?
Rebalance Your Hormones and Regain Your Life
Dealing with hormonal imbalance can truly feel like a full time job. The good news: you don’t need to schedule your life around your hormones—you can take charge of your health.
With all of the environmental toxins we come into contact today, it’s no longer reasonable to expect that your liver can handle the load. While this incredible organ carries out a multitude of tasks, toxic overload is all too common, and your liver needs a little love.
That’s why I created Daily Detox. Daily Detox includes a blend of hand-picked superfoods and medicinal herbs to support your body on all levels—hormones, digestion, detox, aging, weight, immunity, and more.
Simply mix it into a glass of water – or your favorite smoothie!
Every ingredient in the blend is specifically chosen for its nourishing qualities and research-backed benefits:
Detox and Anti-Aging Blend:
Fermented Broccoli Sprout
- Broccoli sprouts induce detoxification enzymes to assist in detox and have been studied for their ability to support estrogen detox, in particular. Furthermore, due to high levels of sulforaphane, broccoli sprouts help to protect your liver from harmful toxins by increasing the production of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant[8][9].
Fermented Alfalfa Grass
- Alfalfa grass offers antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help protect the liver from harmful substances while carrying out critical detoxification duties[10].
Fermented Barley Grass
- Among the many benefits of barley grass, this nutrient-rich plant helps stabilize blood sugar (goodbye cravings) and assists in cellular detox[11]. Barley grass is also a natural source of GABA, a neurotransmitter known for its ability to improve mood, specifically reducing stress and anxiety[12].
Parsley
- Parsley is another nutrient-rich herb that assists in steady blood glucose and has a protective effect on the liver. It’s also a wonderful source of chlorophyll, a phytonutrient studied for its ability to combat the inflammation caused by endocrine-disrupting chemicals[13][14].
VitaKelpTM (Ascophyllum nodosum)
- Kelp is a nutrient-rich seaweed that has been studied for its hepatoprotective effects[15].
Aloe Vera
- Aloe Vera is particularly helpful for improving gut health and supporting proper elimination—a critical aspect of detoxification and something that many women going through menopause struggle with[16].
Celery
- Celery offers powerful antioxidant activity, which can help combat toxins’ harmful effects and promote optimal liver function[17]. Research also shows that celery extracts may support healthy blood pressure in menopausal women[18].
Chlorella
- Chlorella is a type of algae that’s particularly helpful in detoxing heavy metals, which are known to disturb metabolism, instigate issues with weight management, and disrupt hormonal health[19][20].
Organic Fiber Blend:
Inulin
- Inulin is a soluble fiber known for its satiating properties, helping you feel full and satisfied. By keeping cravings at bay, inulin can help support a healthy weight[21].
Flax Seed Fiber
- Flax seeds offer an excellent source of fiber and are also rich in lignans, which can help balance estrogen[22].
Organic Liver Support Blend:
Fermented Beet
- In addition to supporting liver health, research shows that beetroot can support hormone regulation in women due to naturally occurring phytoestrogens[23][24].
Fermented Turmeric Rhizome
- Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory herb used for thousands of years in Eastern cultures. Research shows that the active compound in turmeric, curcumin, may reduce PMS and hormonal imbalance symptoms such as cramps and painful joints and even improve mood by increasing serotonin and dopamine levels[25][26]
Dandelion Root
- Dandelion is a liver-protective herb that also assists with fat and sugar metabolism, enhancing metabolic function and potentially assisting with weight loss[27]. It also acts as a diuretic, potentially helping to reduce bloating[28].
Milk Thistle Seed Extract
- Milk thistle contains a compound called silymarin, a phytoestrogen that exerts both anti and pro-estrogenic activity. Studies show that silymarin may support bone loss while also improving blood sugar by modulating estrogen receptors[29][30]. Silymarin is also well-known for its hepatoprotective activity, giving your liver the support it needs to do its job[31].
Burdock Root
- In Traditional Chinese Medicine, burdock root is known to “purify the blood” of toxins and offers blood sugar-regulating benefits to help stave off cravings[32]. One study showed that an herbal blend containing burdock helped to relieve both the intensity and duration of hot flashes and night sweats in postmenopausal women[33].
Dulse
- Dulse is a type of seaweed that’s particularly rich in iodine, a critical nutrient for optimal thyroid. In addition to regulating your metabolic function, healthy thyroid levels are crucial for maintaining the OAT axis (Ovaries-Adrenal-Thyroid), which involves the balance of stress, sex, and thyroid hormones[34][35].
Organic Superfood Blend:
Coconut Water
- Coconut water is incredibly nutrient-rich and is a particularly great source of electrolytes. When your body is working on detoxing harmful compounds, it can lose essential minerals, making coconut water a must-have in any detox regimen[36].
Moringa
- Moringa is a nutrient-dense plant commonly used in Eastern medicine. Research shows that moringa may positively impact female hormonal health by stimulating a healthy libido (via testosterone) and supporting the production of breast milk in nursing mothers[37][38]. Furthermore, studies show that moringa may support weight loss by inhibiting the formation of fat cells in your body and improving fat burning[39].
Pomegranate Fruit Extract
- Pomegranate has been studied for its estrogen-balancing effect, helping to ameliorate menopausal symptoms and bring overall hormonal balance[40].
Acai
- Acai is a berry that contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds that have been studied for their positive impact on blood sugar management—a key aspect of weight loss and maintenance[41].
Metabolic Support Blend:
Fermented Ginger
- Ginger is an excellent herb for enhancing digestion, a critical aspect of detox. Research also shows that ginger can impact several sex hormones, including estrogen, LH, and FSH, and may help to resolve migraine headaches, which are a common symptom of hormonal imbalance[42][43].
Cinnamon
- Research suggests that cinnamon may be beneficial in hormone-related conditions like PCOS by impacting sex hormones, particularly testosterone[44]. This spice has also been shown to have a positive impact on women with painful periods (dysmenorrhea), which is a common symptom of PMS[45]. Furthermore, for those struggling with weight loss, cinnamon is known for enhancing blood sugar control and significantly reducing food cravings[46].
Green Tea Leaf Extract
- Green tea is another excellent plant for helping with stubborn weight loss. Research shows that the nutrients and caffeine in green tea may boost metabolic rate, effectively enhancing the number of calories burned in a day[47]. Research also shows that green tea may help to balance androgen hormones and is particularly helpful for women with PCOS[48].
Organic Mushroom Blend:
Shiitake
- Shiitake mushrooms are a natural source of vitamin D, a crucial nutrient for bone health as women age, particularly during the menopausal transition[49].
Cordyceps
- Cordyceps mushrooms are rich in phytoestrogens which may support healthy estrogen levels, particularly in those with low estrogen[50]. This mushroom is also known as an adaptogen, meaning it can help your body adapt to and handle stress while promoting healthy energy levels and fighting fatigue[51].
Reishi
- Reishi mushroom not only boosts mood and may help combat depressive behaviors, but it has also been shown to support weight loss[52].
Agaricus
- Agaricus has been shown to support healthy androgen levels in PCOS and may also help to reduce estrogen in women with estrogen dominance[53][54].
Maitake
- Research shows that due to their potent anti-inflammatory activity, maitake mushrooms may combat the inflammation caused by endocrine-disrupting compounds, specifically BPA, which is found ubiquitously in our food supply[55].
Turkey Tail
- The turkey tail mushroom displays potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity and has been shown to help with mood imbalances such as depression and anxiety[56].
Takeaway
Symptoms of hormonal imbalance can hit at any time, but are especially stressful during the menopausal transition. Whether you’re perimenopausal, menopausal, or simply dealing with PMS once a month, you don’t have to live in discomfort. Despite what you may have been told, your symptoms are not “normal” and there are absolutely steps you can take to get back into balance and feel like yourself again.
Daily Detox offers a simple, all-in-one, nutrient-rich way to nourish your body and support your liver, gently helping to bring your hormones back into balance. While watching out for EDC exposure is crucial, it would be nearly impossible to avoid them altogether. Daily Detox is your once-a-day ally to keep your detox pathways moving, your hormones in check.
*These statements have not been reviewed by the FDA. The information herein is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Nor is it meant to replace or act as a substitute for speaking to a medical doctor and/or licensed health practitioner. Any products discussed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. They are not intended to replace any medication, medical test(s), or healing modality prescribed by your medical doctor. Please consult with your doctor before beginning a new supplement regimen.
