Liver and menopause – why it is particularly important now

How hormonal changes, metabolism and botany are connected

The menopause is not a sudden change, but a transition. Hormonal changes often begin years before the last menstruation – with effects on energy, metabolism, weight, skin, sleep and emotional balance.

Something that is often underestimated: The liver plays a central role in this phase. Not as a single organ, but as a control center for hormone processing and metabolic adaptation.

The liver as a hormone manager

Oestrogen, progesterone and stress hormones such as cortisol are not only produced in glands – they also have to be metabolized and broken down in the body. This is exactly where the liver comes into play.

Hormone levels fluctuate more strongly during the menopause. Studies show that changes in oestrogen metabolism are closely linked to liver enzyme activity and metabolic processes (Rachdaoui & Sarkar, 2017).

If hormonal changes are accompanied by additional stress – such as stress, lack of sleep or an unfavorable diet – this can be subjectively noticeable:

• Fatigue and exhaustion
• Weight gain, especially in the abdominal area
• Mood swings
• Changed alcohol tolerance

These changes are not a disease, but an expression of complex adaptation processes.

Metabolic changes in the peri- and postmenopause

As oestrogen levels fall, the energy metabolism changes. The liver is involved in several processes:

• Regulation of the blood sugar level
• Fat metabolism and cholesterol balance
• Conversion and excretion of hormonal metabolites

Scientific studies describe that women during and after the menopause have an increased risk of changes in fat metabolism – regardless of body weight (Carr, 2003).

Conscious support of the metabolism is therefore particularly relevant in this phase of life.

Lifestyle and nutrition: gentle adjustments

The good news is that many factors that affect liver metabolism can be influenced in everyday life.

Among other things, they have proven themselves:

• High-fiber, plant-based diet
• Bitter substances from vegetables and herbs
• Adequate protein intake
• Regular movement
• Conscious use of alcohol
• Secondary plant substances and polyphenols are also the focus of research, as they are involved in antioxidant processes that may be relevant for the liver (Scapagnini et al., 2011).

Help from botany during the menopause

Traditional botany and modern research meet particularly where adaptation and balance are concerned.

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum)

The plant substance silymarin has been investigated in numerous studies in connection with liver metabolism and oxidative stress (Abenavoli et al., 2018).

Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus)

Artichoke leaves contain bitter substances and polyphenols, which have been examined in studies in the context of fat metabolism and liver enzymes, among other things (Panahi et al., 2018).

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

A classic plant of European folklore, rich in phytochemicals (González-Castejón et al., 2012).

Polyphenol-rich plants such as immortelle and clove

Research is investigating their antioxidant properties, which are also relevant for cellular protection mechanisms (Antunes Viegas et al., 2014; Cortés-Rojas et al., 2014).

Conscious liver routines during the menopause

Many women report that consistency rather than extremes is good for them during the menopause.

In addition to diet and exercise, some people consciously rely on herbal routines that combine traditional knowledge with modern research.

Compositions such as The Purist combine classic liver plants from European botany with polyphenol-rich plant extracts – as a gentle, daily accompaniment to hormonal changes.

Important: Herbal products do not replace a medical examination, but can be part of a holistic lifestyle.

Conclusion: balance instead of control

The menopause is a time of adjustment. The liver plays a silent but central role – in hormone metabolism, energy balance and inner balance.

A conscious lifestyle, combined with traditionally valued plants, can help to accompany this transitional phase with more clarity and stability.