liver-loving chimichurri

There are a handful of recipes that I come back to every summer, and this one sits firmly at the top of the list.

It’s bright, herby, garlicky, and packed with antioxidants, bitter greens, and healthy fats. It elevates any dish it’s poured over — especially grilled fish (I love it on salmon, as you can see above), steak, chicken, veggies, and roasted potatoes. Sometimes I even throw it on my eggs in the morning at breakfast.

But of course its deliciousness is only one of its many benefits. Every single ingredient has been carefully selected because it supports one of your body’s hardest-working organs: the liver.

Liver health is a highly overlooked piece of the puzzle that makes up hormonal health. And before we get into it, no, I’m not about to recommend a 14-day juice cleanse and tell you to go vegan.

Liver support is less about forcing a detox, and more about simply giving your liver the raw materials it needs to do its many jobs. Your liver is responsible for processing everything from hormones and medications to alcohol, environmental chemicals (like the stuff in your makeup and cleaning products), and the natural waste products your body makes every day.

Like I mentioned, your liver has hundreds of jobs, but one of its biggest roles is helping your body process and eliminate hormones (particularly estrogen).

After estrogen has circulated through your body and done its job, it finds its way to your liver to be chemically transformed into forms that can be safely eliminated through your bile and stool.

Hormonal balance is a lot bigger than just making the right amount of hormones. If your liver is not helping eliminate them efficiently, they can recirculate in your bloodstream, leading to hormonal problems like estrogen dominance.

Some of the building blocks your liver requires are:

• protein to provide the amino acids needed for detoxification (one of many reasons why I preach a protein-forward diet — it’s not just about muscle health!!)

• micronutrients like B vitamins, magnesium, zinc, selenium, and antioxidants that act as cofactors (aka little helpers) for detoxification enzymes

• bitter foods and healthy fats to encourage bile production (by the liver) and flow (from the gallbladder)

• plenty of fibre to bind toxins and hormones so they actually leave the body via bile and stool instead of being reabsorbed

• good digestion and regular bowel movements (for the same reasons as above)

It’s important to note that no single symptom in isolation can tell you how well your liver is functioning, and these symptoms can have many possible root causes. This is why it’s important to pay attention to symptoms, track them overtime, get bloodwork done with your doctor, and work with a trusted functional practitioner who can help make these connections for you.

Here are some clues you can pay attention that point towards your liver needing some help. The more of these that ring true for you, the more likely you may need some liver TLC:

• PMS or painful periods

• sore breasts, especially in your luteal phase

• weepiness and unexplained crying

• hormonal acne, cystic acne

• large blood clots on your period

• changes in flow colour (deep red or even purple blood is common with estrogen dominance)

• feeling significantly worse before and during your period (not just small changes in energy and mood, but noticeable and even debilitating symptoms that significantly change how you live your life)

• constipation or infrequent bowel movements

• bloating or indigestion after fatty meals

• feeling sluggish after eating

• a history of hormonal birth control (HBC) use

• histamine intolerance, and flu-like symptoms around your period

• regular alcohol intake (at least once a week)

• a diet low in protein (less than 100g per day) or fibre (less than 30g per day)

• high exposure to environmental chemicals (nail techs, cleaners, hairdressers, construction workers, painters, and farmers are particularly exposed)

Like many things I do, I selected each ingredient with intention. I’ve outlined the benefits of a few of them below:

• parsley and cilantro provide antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin K, and plant compounds that support liver health — they’re also bitter greens that stimulate bile flow

• garlic contains sulphur compounds that help detoxify excess estrogen

• extra virgin olive oil supplies healthy fats to stimulate bile release, and delivers powerful anti-inflammatory polyphenols

• red wine vinegar help your cells become more sensitive to insulin to control blood sugar (a process closely supported by your liver)

And most importantly, this chimichurri is incredibly versatile and elevates any dish it’s served alongside. It’s something healthy, nourishing, and supportive that you’ll want to eat with everything.

Enjoy the recipe below :)