Posted on 19 Aug, 2009 -
Is impaired liver function causing you ill health?
Impaired liver function can cause weight gain, digestive problems, skin problems, fatigue, emotional imbalances, rapid ageing, asthma, heart disease, cancers, allergies, weak immune system, headaches, high cholesterol, depression, hot flushes, chronic colds and flu, bloating, halitosis, yeast infections, high blood pressure, poor circulation, prostate damage… and more.
MOST of us probably suffer some level of damage - with as many as 50% suffering noticeable damage.
The good news is that there’s lots we can do to repair the harm already done…
I remember reading a newspaper article some time ago about a study where they stopped random passers by and used ultra sound to test their livers.
An incredible HALF of those tested had worryingly “thickened” livers - including many young people. Another report I read said that 50% of people over 50 suffer from what is known as “Fatty Liver”.
And this is actually not surprising. Not only do we drink more alcohol than we used to on average, but our diets and lifestyles are full of far more toxins and liver-straining substances than we even realise - all of which are filtered by the liver.
Much of the illhealth we suffer is down to weakened organs put under pressure by life
Now, while I am eternally grateful to live in a country with such brilliant health care, the problem with the Western medicine we use is that it mainly only treats the symptoms of disease. Eastern medicines, on the other hand, believe in looking at the causes.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, for example, it is not seen that illnesses come and attack the body and therefore need attacking back - but rather that it is a weakened or imbalanced body that lets the illnesses in (and therefore needs treating).
In fact, a significant number of the conditions that you, me and our family members suffer, could actually come down to undetected malfunctioning of bodily functions. One of the major causes experienced by a large number of people is an impaired liver - responsible for a whole range of potential problems including weight gain, digestive problems, skin problems, fatigue, emotional imbalances, rapid ageing, asthma, heart disease, cancers, allergies, weak immune system, headaches, high cholesterol, depression, hot flushes, chronic colds and flu, bloating, halitosis, yeast infections, high blood pressure, poor circulation and prostate damage…
Phew!
So what exactly causes our livers to get so damaged?
Bugs, toxins, bacteria and yeast left festering in your blood could be dragging your whole body down - and even causing emotional problems as well.
The liver is such a large and crucial organ, in fact, that it is a crime we pay it so little attention. We will spend a fortune on expensive creams to keep our skin looking good, for example, when are money may actually have been better spent on supporting the function of our liver.
Weighing in at over three pounds, the liver’s two major functions among many more are the removal of toxins and the processing of the nutrients we get from foods. The huge amounts of such toxins as food additives, alcohol and pharmaceutical drugs that we consume these days really puts the system under pressure.
If the liver isn’t working as well as it should, it can flood the whole of our body with toxins causing havoc throughout. It can lead to stubborn weight gain, constant infections, immune dysfunction and a whole variety of illnesses.
Act now to save your health! Take these simple steps today
So how exactly can we go about repairing the damage already done and keep your liver healthy? Let’s take a look at some of the best information I’ve found:
* First of all, it is crucial to try to maximise the amount of fresh, whole foods you eat - and minimise the amount of processed foods you allow into your diet.
As Dr Sandra Cabot, author of ‘The Liver Cleansing Diet’ explains, “Many processed foods contain preservatives, which do not eradicate micro-organisms, but merely keep them in a dormant state. When this food gets into your intestines the preservatives are diluted and the bugs start to multiply. This is why it is important to purchase only fresh high quality foods.”
* Be particularly careful not to eat too many foods containing preservatives, artificial sweeteners and flavourings. These are all toxic substances that the liver has to work hard to filter out.
* Certain herbs and supplements have been found to work brilliantly at cleansing, supporting, and giving a new lease of life to the liver. Burdock, for example, is great for the detoxification of the whole digestive system and liver and has been found to be particularly effective in treating acne and eczema, PMS, symptoms of the menopause, diabetes, arthritis and gout.
Milk thistle is one of the few substances that can increase the glutathione content of the liver which is critical for efficient detoxification. It also stimulates the regeneration of cells and is even used in cases where dangerous poisons have been eaten. It is particularly recommended for those who suspect they may have allergies and for those suffering constipation, depression, hormone imbalance,
indigestion and skin conditions. It is also excellent at detoxifying the whole body.
* Try to drink two litres of fluids a day - water, tea, and juices etc. - to aid your liver in it’s job. Drink distilled, purified or filtered water - rather than water straight from the tap if possible.
* Eating lots of RAW fruits and vegetables is great for your liver. If you can, eat something raw with every meal.
* Try to reduce the amount of ‘grease’ you eat, and opt for healthy oils instead. So less animal fats and processed hydrogenated oils. More oily fish, seeds and nuts and olive oil.
* Particularly good foods for your liver are olive oil, tomatoes, broccoli, garlic and beans.
* Limit the amount of alcohol you drink. Your liver can cope with a glass or two but will struggle with any more. Spirits are the worse.
* Don’t overdo refined sugars. Again from Dr Sandra Cabot, “Use natural sugars from fresh fruits and juices, dried fruits, honey, molasses, fruit sorbets, fruit cakes, fruit jams, carob, date sugar, maple sugar or syrup or rice syrup. Avoid refined white sugar and candies, fizzy drinks, cakes and biscuits made with refined sugars. If you find you crave these foods on a regular basis you may have the very common metabolic imbalance known as Syndrome X. By following the eating principles and taking nutrients to rebalance the metabolism you can get cravings under control making weight loss and maintenance of energy much easier.”
Eating organic foods is obviously a great way of reducing the amount of toxins in your diet. Organic foods, however, are obviously much more expensive so their use may be restricted for many people. Most important things to go organic on are those things you eat in the largest quantity, those things grown in the ground, and those which are cheaper to afford. Your list, therefore, might
include potatoes, carrots, rice and pasta. Fruit can be peeled to avoid the pesticides on the peel.
Avoid exercise after 9 at night and hold a hot water bottle against your liver when you go to bed. Why??!! According to Christopher Hobbs, author of Natural Liver Therapy, your body diverts more blood to the liver for repair at night. You can increase its efficiency by avoiding needing blood for exercise and providing heat.
Wow! I feel healthier already! And I’m definitely, definitely going to try to eat even less processed foods and especially watch out for foods containing artificial preservatives.
