Exercise is absolutely essential to help the liver speed up its detoxification process.
When the body is sedentary it takes a lot longer and is less effective at getting rid of unwanted hormones and toxins in the body. Exercise does this by improving the speed of bodily process, such as getting the blood pumping, but also by aiding in massaging organs improving their efficacy.
If the liver is not able to function properly then hormones can be reabsorbed back into the bloodstream and this can cause a lot of the unwanted side effects of hormonal imbalance that I've discussed in my other blogs - hormonal acne, mood swings, fatigue, breast tenderness, low mood, anxiety, depression, blood clots and irregular periods.
Another wonderful benefit of exercise is that it helps to stabilise blood sugar levels - so to sufferers of menopause, PCOS or insulin resistance in particular, it is non-negotiable that exercise forms a part of your routine. Even taking a brisk walk during your lunch break counts. Stabilising blood sugar levels is one of the many ways I help support my patients in how to balance hormones.
Getting a good mix of cardio, strength and low intensity exercise is the best way to support the body (and liver) in metabolising and excreting hormones. Aim for 30-40 minutes of exercise at least 3 times a week with a mix of cardio, jogging, yoga, pilates and weights.
Having a blended approach to exercise ensures you're using your body in a variety of ways - cardio is great for elevating and lowering heart rate and improving lung capacity, weights tones and strengthens with minimal stress to the body, and yoga will work on your core strength, breathing and mindfulness.
Variety also keeps it fresh, which means you're more likely to continue to exercise. Slaving away for hours at the gym each day is not fun, so you won't make it a priority. If none of the above activities sound fun to you, what does? Rock climbing? Hiking? Cycling? Team sports? Dancing?
Any form of exercise is instantly 100x better than the exercise you didn't do.
Lastly, exercise helps us to feel great. It will improve your mood for the rest of the day (and help ease those mood swings), is a long term mental health tool, and will physically tire you out so that when bed time comes you're ready to get some great zzz's.
Get in touch if you want some exercise inspiration, healthy recipes or nutrition advice if you suspect you have a hormone imbalance.
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Kelly Mulhall
Registered Nutritional Therapist
Kelly is a Registered Nutritional Therapist who focuses on positive physical and mental wellbeing, achieved through diet, lifestyle, sleep and exercise. Having struggled for years with IBS and hormonal imbalance, and increasingly frustrated with the lack of support and helpful advice from her GP, Kelly began her own journey of healing the body from the inside out. After seeing huge improvements she quit her job to study nutrition and focus on harnessing the healing powers of food to help other people in similar situations.