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Some of the more important functions of our liver consist of filtering 2 quarts of blood a minute, storing and processing blood hemoglobin for its iron content, storing fat soluble vitamins and minerals, storing excess glucose as glycogen, producing bile (1 quart per day) and metabolizing proteins, carbohydrates and fats to provide energy and nutrients.
Foremost is its detoxifying function. Both internally and externally produced toxins are transformed from fat soluble chemicals into water soluble compounds so they can be released by the kidneys or emulsified by bile in the intestines where they bind with digested food and fiber to form the stool we excrete.
TOXIC OVERLOAD
Dietary and environmental toxins place a lot of stress on our liver. That is why it essential to remove all sources of toxins that are taxing our liver and undermining our immune system. This includes additives, colors, waxes, flavorings, preservatives, pesticides and herbicides. Alcohol is also very toxic to the liver and must be avoided when liver disease is present or if we want to avoid taxing our liver.
Toxins are stored in the fat of animals. Keeping animal products at a minimum is a good idea not only to keep fat content and toxins low but also to keep our exposure to naturally occurring disease-related microbes lower. According to Dr. Robert O. Young, meat and other animal products can contain 336,000,000 per serving of pathogenic micro organisms. In contrast, plant foods contain less than 10 per gram.
DIETARY GUIDELINES
A diet that consists of less than 30% fat is a good target to keep the liver from working too hard. It also needs to be noted that fats become rancid easily. Overheating and processing can create dangerous free radicals which are damaging to our cells.
Always check the freshness of foods with fat in them, such as seeds, nuts, nut butters, grains, flours, oils, salad dressings and other foods or condiments with oil added. Keep them refrigerated to maintain freshness. Never fry or heat oils to high temperatures and avoid any product with hydrogenated oil in it. Hydrogenation adds hydrogen to oil making it saturated and not easily assimilated. Choose monosaturated and polyunsaturated oils such as olive, safflower, sunflower seed, sesame seed, flax seed, pumpkin seed, soybean, lecithin or fish. (for more information, see http://community.webtv.net/essentialhealth/VIBRANTHEALTH)
Foods high in fiber are the cornerstone of a health improving diet. Bile carries toxic substances into the intestines, where fiber can help to speed up the transit time of the stool out of the intestines. In this way carcinogenic chemicals are not hanging around to damage the walls of the intestines or to be possibly re-absorbed into the body.
Foods high in fiber include whole grains and cereals, whole grain flours, brown rice, bran, dried fruits, nuts, seeds, beans, lentils, peas, fruits and vegetables (with their skins left on if they are organic).
Not only is it important to reduce animal products because of their high fat content, but also because of the acid ash they leave in our bodies when they are digested and broken down . This acid ash must be buffered so it can be eliminated by the kidneys. This requires minerals which are then carried with the urine out of our body. If we have enough minerals from the foods we are eating this is fine, but when our diets are very high in acid producing ash or low in minerals our body will take the minerals it needs from other cells. These will especially be removed from our bones and bile. Minerals are very deficient in our soils these days and therefore low in our diets. If this borrowing continues for a long time we eventually will suffer illness due to depletion of necessary minerals. (for more information, see http://community.webtv.net/essentialhealth/ENVIRONMENTALTOXINS
The liver has the remarkable ability to restore itself and it can function with 80% deterioration. This is the good news. If we stop polluting our body and work to rebuild our liver we can enjoy a relatively healthy life and joyful existence even with severe liver disease. A healthy diet consisting of certain supplements, herbs and nutrients can stimulate this process of detoxification so the liver may regenerate.
Enzymes, minerals, and vitamins are used by the liver in its process of detoxifying.
These are included in food such as:
· Cabbage, broccoli and brussels sprouts, which contain a certain phytochemical called indole-3-carbinol. This is also a anti-cancer compound and stimulates detoxifying enzymes in the gut.
· Oranges, lemon, tangerines and the seeds of caraway and dill contain limonene.This is also an anti-cancer phytochemical. Starting the day with one to two glasses of fresh lemon, orange or tangerine juice to cleanse the liver is a good liver supportive practice. Dill and caraway make healthy seasonings for the food we eat or can be used to create tasty teas.
· Nutritional yeast and whole grains are sources of B vitamins.
· Melons, peppers, tomatoes and fresh fruits. all good sources of Vitamin C.
· Turmeric, which is a spice that contains curcumin, is also regenerating to liver cells and cleanses the liver of toxins. It decreases cholesterol and also inhibits the carcinogen benzopyrene found in meat. This spice is found in curry dishes and can be included in food preparations or taken in powdered form in a gel capsule or as an additive to juices. It has a bitter flavor.
· Certain amino acids are used by the liver to bind with toxic chemicals so it may carry them away or neutralize them, these include: Glutamine, ornithine, arginine, and especially glutathione. Glutathione is one of the most important liver antioxidants. We destroy it in our body when we take Tylenol. Glutathione is an amino acid complex made up of Cysteine, Glutamic acid and Glycine. Dietary sources of Glutathione include fresh fruits and vegetables, cooked meats and fish, onions and garlic, and sprouted seeds.
· Fenugreek seeds are particularly supportive of liver function and help with digestion. They are also highly anti-bacterial.
· All sprouts (** read below to learn how to make and care for your own sprouts) are power houses of enzymes, vitamins and minerals, having superior nutritive value. A sprouted seed adds protein to our diets and essential energy. It is bursting with life force. Including sprouts in the diet is easy, fun and tasty.
· Other food sources to support Glutathione production are Glutamic acid and the dietary sources of cysteine (found in meat, fish, eggs, soy, wheat gluten and Brazil nuts). Glutamic acid needs zinc and copper for its absorption. Zinc is also needed for tissue repair and acts as an anti viral. Good sources of zinc can be found in Brewer's yeast, dulse, kelp, egg yolks, fish and lamb. Sources of copper include almonds, green leafy vegetabes, avocado, beets and black strap molasses.
· Another mineral needed by the liver to neutralize harmful sulfites to safer sulfates is Molybdenum. Sulfites are found naturally and added as preservatives in wines. Salad and vegetables bars and even some grocery store fruit and vegetable displays use sulfites to keep produce fresher looking. It is important to ask restaurant and store managers if they use sulfites at their establishment. As we have mentioned before, minerals are very depleted in our soils and therefore in our foods, so getting the molybdenum we need may be difficult.
We may choose to take a supplement to get an adequate supply of all minerals. Products such as
Perfect Food, Fruits of Life, Radical Fruits and Living Multi can provide needed
vitamins and minerals.
· Dietary sources of molybdenum include legumes, whole grain cereals, milk, dark green and leafy vegetables and organ meats of kidney and liver. These organ meats are hard to find in a non-toxic state due to the meat raising practices prescribed to in many countries. Animals are fed hormones and many other chemicals to enhance their meat production. These chemicals have settled into the animal's organs of detoxification, namely kidneys and liver. This meat is counterproductive to our original purpose for eating it. Unless you personally know that the animal has only been fed organically, I would not eat organ meats of any animal raised with today's toxic practices.
· Miso lowers cholesterol and helps to neutralize environmental toxins in the intestines. It is also alkalizing for our system. It can be taken as a soup, mixed into food we are eating, or made into a tea or broth.
· Dulse and other sea vegetables are a good source of protein, complex carbohydrates, enzymes, fiber, vitamins, chlorophyll, iodine and other minerals.They are alkalizing and also neutralize envionmental toxins from our intestines.
· Sea vegetables can be added when cooking rice or other grains, put into stews and soups, or added to bean dishes. Dulse and Kelp are delicious when eaten raw in salads or mixed into dips, sprinkled onto foods or used wherever your imagination takes you.
As we can see many foods can be useful for natural liver therapy. They provide support
to the liver while they nourish us. Learn to include them in your diet.
HOW TO MAKE AND CARE FOR YOUR OWN SPROUTS
** There are sprouting devices that are for sale at most health food stores or through some seed catalogs (Johnny's Seeds is one). You can easily make your own sprouter from a large mouth glass jar with a screen piece to cover and a large rubber band to secure. Rinsing frequently throughout the day and keeping your seeds well drained between rinsing will produce a nutritious whole food in just a few days. It is important to use filtered or spring water or any source of water that is not bacteria-laden to ensure the quality of your sprouts. Also take care to check for mold and do not eat them if they have any. The sprouting trays make for a more consistent level of quality sprouts and do not require as much time for rinsing as they provide adequate drainage to prevent molding.
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