Fall
Found myself looking up information for a friend, then for a relative, and while researching came upon some interesting material. This gal had an article on the liver, which…believe it or not…I found fascinating. Nothing will get your attention quicker than for your doctor to tell you that you need a liver biopsied, and then you read up on the problems that will occur should you have liver cancer. So, yeah…this one intrigued me. For one thing, when I wake up, my usual first thoughts involve caffeine, nicotine, and praying that everybody has showered and given me free rein in the bathroom for at least five minutes. My waking moments have never been spent wondering what delights I can do for my liver that morning.A Little Help for the Liver
by author Karen Jensen, ND
The liver is a remarkable organ and is the central chemical laboratory in the body. In a world in which new toxins are introduced daily, it’s more important than ever to make sure our livers are happy and healthy. The liver plays an important role in metabolism. Perhaps the most important metabolic function of the liver is the detoxification, or inactivation and excretion, of toxic chemicals, drugs and hormones, both those made by the body and those that come from outside sources.
The liver inactivates these substances and sends them onto physiological, biochemical pathways that eventually result in their excretion by the bowels, lungs, kidneys or skin. The liver is also involved in fat, carbohydrate and protein metabolism and vitamin and mineral storage. The liver is a major blood reservoir, filtering more than 1.4 litres of blood per minute. It removes bacteria, toxins, and various other unwanted substances from the blood. Every day the liver manufactures and secretes approximately 1 L of bile. Bile is necessary for the absorption of fat-soluble material from the intestines, including many vitamins, and its secretion helps eliminate many toxic substances.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) considers the liver the organ most strongly affected by our emotions. Conversely, TCM practitioners and many others have long recognized that when the liver is stressed, anger, depression and irritability are more likely to arise. When a person’s liver is functioning harmoniously, the person stays calm and relaxed. Many factors determine whether the liver performs its critical functions well. Too much pressure on the liver from overeating, too much rich or poor-quality food, environmental stresses, overwork or emotional stress can cause liver overload, leading to a decreased ability to clear toxins and hormones and manufacture bile. An overloaded liver allows toxic waste material to pass into the blood and the body. The steps you need to take to detoxify a congested liver depend on how severe the problem is. Start with the simple dietary and lifestyle measures outlined below and see how they make you feel. If you feel your liver needs further support, begin using herbs that support liver function.
Choices That Support the Liver
1. Start your morning with fresh lemon juice in water; this helps flush and decongest the liver.
2. Eat beets or drink beet and vegetable juice regularly. Beets are an excellent liver cleanser.
3. Chlorophyll drinks and other green drinks can be used regularly to aid in liver cleansing
4. High quality protein foods are necessary to restore and sustain the liver. Free-range eggs, fish, raw nuts and seeds and whole grains are beneficial.
5. Nutritional antioxidants such as vitamin E, zinc and selenium are essential for protecting the liver from free radical damage.
6. Liver restoration also requires lots of fresh air, exercise, adequate rest, natural foods and a minimum of 2L (approx. 2 quarts) of pure water daily. Other liquids do not count toward the required water intake.
Liver Support
Civilizations throughout history have been aware of the healing action that specific herbs have on the liver. Known as cholagogues (the Greek word khole means bile), these plants trigger the liver’s production of bile. Increased bile production gently cleanses the liver. As toxins are cleared, the liver cells can more easily access nutrients and becomes toned. During a cleansing or detoxification program, I suggest that a liver support herb such as dandelion or burdock be taken two to three times daily for the length of the program.
To keep the liver healthy in our toxic and stressful world, a liver-supportive herb such as milk thistle should be taken periodically, for example two to three times daily for one week every month. Burdock root has traditionally been used as a blood cleanser to support the liver and hormonal health.
Studies show that it is also effective as an immune system enhancer, in the stabilization of blood sugar and as an antibiotic, antifungal and anti-tumor agent. Dandelion root is considered the ideal liver remedy because it is completely non-toxic and gently restores liver function. It enhances the flow of bile and supports the kidneys during cleansing and detoxification of the liver and bowels. Milk thistle contains some of the most potent liver-protective substances known, including silymarin, which inhibits the action of free radials that damage liver cells. It also stimulates protein synthesis, which results in the production of new liver cells to replace the damaged ones. Turmeric has long been considered a powerful healing plant. Curcumin, the principal active ingredient, has demonstrated potent liver protective, detoxifying, anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity.
Other effects of turmeric include lowering of cholesterol, improvement of fat metabolism and improvement of digestion. Globe artichoke head, leaves and root have traditionally been used to improve digestion as well as liver, gallbladder and kidney function. The cynarin found in artichoke has been found to stimulate bile secretion as well as lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Artichoke also has some antioxidant activity. You can find these herbs both on their own or in combination at your local health food store.
The liver energy system governs the peripheral and central nervous system, the eyes and tendons and provides energy and vitality to the sexual organs. When the liver is stressed, emotions such as anger, depression, moodiness, aggression, resentment and irritability are more likely to arise. Physical symptoms such as allergies, fatigue, indigestion and distended abdomen, eye problems (spots, red, watery), headaches, hot flushes, insomnia, hormonal imbalances such as PMS, muscular pain and neck tension can occur. Everyone could benefit from a cleanse involving the bowel, liver and blood at least once yearly.
Karen Jensen is president of the Alberta Naturopathic Association and co-author of The Complete Athlete, available from alive Books (800-663-6513).
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More Simply Put...
Part of me remembers something a boss once told me, too. Keep the assholes happy, and the rest of the crew (body?) has a better day.
Spring Fever In Reverse
Neighbor & Friend, Dorinda is still hard up for a man. The woman just needs to get laid baaaaad. Anyway, she was with this guy not so long ago, and he had a foot fetish. All he wanted to do was rub her feet, and then…as the relationship progressed, he wanted to do *other things* while rubbing her feet. He had been married, divorced, wasn’t “sure” if he could remarry and feel right, but he was horny and didn’t feel it was Christian to have intercourse. So Dorinda catches on after the third time this happens that the man has some issues. He’s jerking off, breathing heavily, getting to the optimum moment, and she has had enough (I mean all the woman has had removed in three dates is her SOCKS), so she’s wound a bit tightly. She yanks her foot back and yells at him, If I don’t get no dick, you don’t get no feet! And left. (Yes – those are her exact words.)
I laughed, but she’s truly ruined me. I can orgasm just looking at Jimmy Choos or Manolo Blahniks now, and you don’t want to know what a pedicure does for me. If I could just find a man who’d build me a deck and buy me leather…
posted by Bobbie (Sunny) Cole @ 4:28 PM
5 comments
5 Comments:
So on this whole liver thing...Does this mean we don't get to celebrate "drink a beer" day?
I hear that drinking 2L of water for the liver and 1L of beer for memory exercises is crutial to well-being.
:) work with me here...
Oh no - coffee doesn't count as water???
:-D
Well, I suppose a glass of water and squeezed lemon in the morning shouldn't be too hard. I love artichokes.
In France, when you get sick to your stomach, they say you're having a 'liver crisis'. LOL
Sam
a liver crisis? - hehehe
I can do the lemon and water. Not sure if I can give up my coffee, which...of course...clogs up the pipes. *sigh*
I gotta read some blogs tonight, before this class I'm teaching starts tomorrow. I miss reading yours, Sam. AND SEEING YOUR PHOTOS. You just make my day.
That Foot Fetish story was a hoot!
I hope she finds someone who will do more than remove her socks.
I find it funny because my DH doesn't like feet at ALL!
So I have no concept of what it's like to have someone actually LIKE my feet. At least your friend, KNOWS> ok, a bit too much but still....
And you know, after reading your post ,I am NEVER eating liver again..free range or otherwise...very scary thing when you think what might STILL be in the liver when its digested.
ACK
And it used to be thought to be good for a person..builds the blood or something.
Wow, do we need a thought correction.
And...lemon juice is OK, provided you don't have meds that might adversely be affected by the acid in the lemon..same with orange juice or grapefruit juice....
OH and get this...the summer is known as kidney stone season...people forget to drink water and the salts and stuff gets condensed and those little stones just pop up and cause untold agony. BUT if you drink lemonaide? Keeps the salts and whatever, calcium? from builing up and those little sands/grains keep flowing out without getting a chance to develop muscle.
So, yep, I liked your post.
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