Thursday, July 24, 2008
Healthy foods for the liver 2
Most people don't think about what foods are good for keeping their liver strong. But, if you have been discovering and using a diet that is good for your overall health, then, most likely you are helping your liver.
So here again is a list of healthy eating that will result in a strong useful liver.
Oils - use mostly olive oil for your food preparation. This oil can be heated to a relative medium level without causing free radicals. Use flax seed oil or fish oil every day.
Avoid margarine or any other artificial butter since their processing creates chemicals the liver cannot recognize as food. Use Ghee, which doesn't require refrigeration, or raw butter.
Sunflower, safflower, and other seed oils should be kept in the refrigerator to keep them from becoming rancid.
When you eat too much fat, the fat accumulates in the liver. The liver is responsible for breaking down the fat and using it for energy. Accumulated fat in the liver can become rancid producing free radicals that damage liver cells.
Food - try to buy and eat good organic food. Food that has been sprayed with pesticides is difficult to clean and these chemicals will get into your body as free radicals.
Protein - Cut down on the amount of protein that you eat. Most of us only need about 2-3 ounces of protein, but if you do physical labor you need plenty more. The problem with more is some of this protein may not completely digest in our stomach and move into the colon. There this undigested protein is decomposed by bad bacteria creating toxic matter. These toxins can be absorbed into the blood and cause the liver extra work in detoxifying them.
Sulfur Foods - Since the liver produces enzymes, which are used in every body chemical reaction, you can support this activity by eating foods such as Brussels sprouts, broccoli cabbage, seeds and nuts.
Vitamins - minerals - nutrients - The liver, just like all parts of the body, needs vitamins and minerals. Get these from fruits and vegetables or even fruit and vegetable juices. Ionic minerals, easily absorbed, can be purchased in bottles from WaterOZ and other brands. These ionic minerals can then be easily added to your juices without adding any unusual taste.
Sugar - Limit, reduce or eliminate the use of sugar since it interferes with enzyme activity throughout your body. Use fruits, whole grains, barley malt, rice syrup, dates, dried fruit, and honey.
Lecithin - use lecithin every day for the Phosphatidyl choline, PC that it provides. PC helps build the liver cell membranes creating a healthier liver. Use lecithin in granules by adding them to salads and other liquid food preparations including smoothies.
There you have it, a small list of foods to eat to help your liver give you long life. Most likely you are already eating some of these foods and if so, then, it will be easy to add just one more good healthy eating habit.
Source: http://www.healthguidance.org/authors/42/Rudy-Silva
Rudy Silva
So here again is a list of healthy eating that will result in a strong useful liver.
Oils - use mostly olive oil for your food preparation. This oil can be heated to a relative medium level without causing free radicals. Use flax seed oil or fish oil every day.
Avoid margarine or any other artificial butter since their processing creates chemicals the liver cannot recognize as food. Use Ghee, which doesn't require refrigeration, or raw butter.
Sunflower, safflower, and other seed oils should be kept in the refrigerator to keep them from becoming rancid.
When you eat too much fat, the fat accumulates in the liver. The liver is responsible for breaking down the fat and using it for energy. Accumulated fat in the liver can become rancid producing free radicals that damage liver cells.
Food - try to buy and eat good organic food. Food that has been sprayed with pesticides is difficult to clean and these chemicals will get into your body as free radicals.
Protein - Cut down on the amount of protein that you eat. Most of us only need about 2-3 ounces of protein, but if you do physical labor you need plenty more. The problem with more is some of this protein may not completely digest in our stomach and move into the colon. There this undigested protein is decomposed by bad bacteria creating toxic matter. These toxins can be absorbed into the blood and cause the liver extra work in detoxifying them.
Sulfur Foods - Since the liver produces enzymes, which are used in every body chemical reaction, you can support this activity by eating foods such as Brussels sprouts, broccoli cabbage, seeds and nuts.
Vitamins - minerals - nutrients - The liver, just like all parts of the body, needs vitamins and minerals. Get these from fruits and vegetables or even fruit and vegetable juices. Ionic minerals, easily absorbed, can be purchased in bottles from WaterOZ and other brands. These ionic minerals can then be easily added to your juices without adding any unusual taste.
Sugar - Limit, reduce or eliminate the use of sugar since it interferes with enzyme activity throughout your body. Use fruits, whole grains, barley malt, rice syrup, dates, dried fruit, and honey.
Lecithin - use lecithin every day for the Phosphatidyl choline, PC that it provides. PC helps build the liver cell membranes creating a healthier liver. Use lecithin in granules by adding them to salads and other liquid food preparations including smoothies.
There you have it, a small list of foods to eat to help your liver give you long life. Most likely you are already eating some of these foods and if so, then, it will be easy to add just one more good healthy eating habit.
Source: http://www.healthguidance.org/authors/42/Rudy-Silva
Rudy Silva
Healthy foods for the liver
Eating healthy foods for the liver can improve and support liver function on a daily basis. Having a healthy liver results in greater energy and general well-being.
A poorly functioning liver can result in tiredness, headaches, bad breath, allergies and intolerances, problem skin and weight gain.
Foods that are healthy for the liver fall into two main categories. First are those that promote the detoxification process of the liver. And second, are those that are high in antioxidants and therefore protect the liver while it's carrying out its detoxification processes. Below are a list of the top eight foods that are considered to be good for your liver.
Garlic and onions.
Garlic contains allicin which is a sulphur-based compound needed by the liver for effective detoxification. Garlic helps the liver rid the body of mercury, certain food additives and the hormone oestrogen.
Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage).
These vegetables are very powerful detoxifiers of the liver. They contain chemicals that neutralise certain toxins such as nitrosamines found in cigarette smoke and aflotoxin found in peanuts. They also contain glucosinolates that help the liver to produce enzymes it needs for its detoxification processes.
Freshly squeezed lemon in hot water.
Drinking freshly squeezed lemon juice in a cup of boiled water first thing in the morning helps to cleanse the liver and promote detoxification. It also stimulates bile production, cleanses the stomach and bowel and stimulates a bowel motion.
Beetroot (Beets).
It's a blood-purifying tonic that is also capable of absorbing heavy metals. More information on beets
High-antioxidant fruits.
In a study done by the US Department of Agriculture at Tuffs University, it was found that the following list of fruits had the highest levels of antioxidants (in descending order): Prunes, raisons, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, plums, oranges, pink grapefruit, cantaloupe, apples and pears. Antioxidants help to protect the liver from the high levels of free radicals that are naturally produced during the process of detoxification.
Apples.
Apples contain pectin that bind to heavy metals in the body (in particular in the colon) and help their excretion. This reduces the load on the liver and its detoxification capacities.
Artichoke.
Increases bile production. One of the jobs of bile is to remove toxins through the bowel, as well as 'unfriendly' micro-organisms. It has been suggested that 30 minutes after eating globe artichoke, bile flow is increased by over 100%.
Bitter leafy salad greens (dandelion, chicory, endive, rocket).
The bitterness of these foods helps to stimulate bile flow within the liver.
A poorly functioning liver can result in tiredness, headaches, bad breath, allergies and intolerances, problem skin and weight gain.
Foods that are healthy for the liver fall into two main categories. First are those that promote the detoxification process of the liver. And second, are those that are high in antioxidants and therefore protect the liver while it's carrying out its detoxification processes. Below are a list of the top eight foods that are considered to be good for your liver.
Garlic and onions.
Garlic contains allicin which is a sulphur-based compound needed by the liver for effective detoxification. Garlic helps the liver rid the body of mercury, certain food additives and the hormone oestrogen.
Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage).
These vegetables are very powerful detoxifiers of the liver. They contain chemicals that neutralise certain toxins such as nitrosamines found in cigarette smoke and aflotoxin found in peanuts. They also contain glucosinolates that help the liver to produce enzymes it needs for its detoxification processes.
Freshly squeezed lemon in hot water.
Drinking freshly squeezed lemon juice in a cup of boiled water first thing in the morning helps to cleanse the liver and promote detoxification. It also stimulates bile production, cleanses the stomach and bowel and stimulates a bowel motion.
Beetroot (Beets).
It's a blood-purifying tonic that is also capable of absorbing heavy metals. More information on beets
High-antioxidant fruits.
In a study done by the US Department of Agriculture at Tuffs University, it was found that the following list of fruits had the highest levels of antioxidants (in descending order): Prunes, raisons, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, plums, oranges, pink grapefruit, cantaloupe, apples and pears. Antioxidants help to protect the liver from the high levels of free radicals that are naturally produced during the process of detoxification.
Apples.
Apples contain pectin that bind to heavy metals in the body (in particular in the colon) and help their excretion. This reduces the load on the liver and its detoxification capacities.
Artichoke.
Increases bile production. One of the jobs of bile is to remove toxins through the bowel, as well as 'unfriendly' micro-organisms. It has been suggested that 30 minutes after eating globe artichoke, bile flow is increased by over 100%.
Bitter leafy salad greens (dandelion, chicory, endive, rocket).
The bitterness of these foods helps to stimulate bile flow within the liver.
Top 10 tips for a Healthy Liver and Lymph
Your liver has many functions; stores certain vitamins, minerals and sugars for use as fuel, cleanses/filters the toxins out of your blood and controls the production/excretion
of cholesterol. Your overall health and vitality, to a great extent, depends upon the health of your liver. The thousands of enzyme systems that control virtually every body activity are created there. If your liver fails to create even one of these enzymes, overall body function is impaired, creating greater metabolic stress on your body. THE LYMPH composed of
Lymph fluid consists of; The 'tissue fluid' in which all of our cells are bathed, and the fluid within the 'lymph vessels'. These are 'blood vessel' like tubes, which connect the lymph glands of the body. The Lymphatic System is also called the Immune System.
Modern lifestyles can overstress your liver. Alcohol, tobacco, environmental pollutants, food additives, agricultural pesticides, popular cosmetic ingredients, common household products, stress, pharmaceutical and OTC (over-the-counter) drugs (including oral contraceptives and caffeine), gallstones, home repair materials, artist materials, garden chemicals and building materials can all kill liver cells.
Symptoms of liver imbalance include headaches, bruising easily, anxiety, depression, confusion, fatigue, jaundice, impaired libido (sex drive) and mental function, food allergies, multiple chemical sensitivities and PMS, as well as conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease. When your liver is damaged it cannot remove toxins, which then build up in your blood and eventually, your brain.
Try the following tips for a healthy liver and lymph:
Avoid any foods of which you suspect you may be intolerant:
They will produce toxins in the gut that can cause stress to the detoxification mechanisms. Bacteria, viruses, too much alcohol, coffee and other caffeine-containing drinks, smoking and the medicines that have powerful effects on the liver, stomach and other parts of the body can prove toxic Chew your food well to help release the enzymes that aid digestion.
Consume plenty of foods containing:
Consume plenty of foods containing folate, flavonoids, magnesium, iron, sulphate and selenium and B-vitamins 2,3,6 and 12, since toxicity in the body can be caused by deficiency of the nutrients that the liver needs for detoxification as much as by exposure to toxins. Think along the lines of salads, beans, fresh juices, stir-fries cooked in a little good-quality olive oil, nuts, seeds, yoghurt (full-fat is fine). Steaming is a quick and healthy way of cooking vegetables, and the only vegetables to avoid are potatoes. Aim for a diet build on complex carbohydrates (brown rice), lean protein (beans, lentils, eggs, chicken, fish and a little lean red meat) and organic fruits & vegetables.
Cut down on stimulants:
such as tea and coffee, and depressants such as smoking & alcohol. Aim at drinking at least 2.5 litres of water a day.
Eat foods rich in antioxidants:
Which aid the natural detox mechanisms like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, and Brussels sprouts and Soybean products. Nutrients that enhance our immune system are Vitamin C, Vitamin E, the B-vitamins, Zinc and Magnesium. These nutrients are either potent anti-oxidants capable of stopping the free-radical cascade of tissue damage or are involved in the enzymes that help detoxify damaging chemicals.
Artichoke contains both liver-protective/restorative powers. It acts as a blood purifier and has been proven in clinical studies to lower cholesterol, triglyceride levels and other metabolic waste products |
Take a daily does of Echinacea , milk thistle or dandelion root:
(as tablets, tincture or teas) – all herbs with a long – established reputation as blood cleansers and skin tonics. The usual recommended dose for milk thistle is 350mg three times a day for a couple of weeks.
Don’t use antibiotics or antacids unless absolutely necessary:
Antibiotics can destroy the useful bacteria in the gut that eliminate toxins; antacids decrease the natural acidity that is necessary for complete digestion.
Take a dose of activated charcoal twice a week:
This is a medical form of charcoal with the capacity to absorb whatever molecules it encounters, including toxins. Don’t take it with food or medicines though, or it will absorb them.
Take some gentle exercise:
too, which increases lymph activity within the body, causing you to sweat and generate more urine, encouraging liver activity and stimulating the gut to get rid of waste products, all of which can help to detoxify your body. Gentle exercise is the key, however, because although you'll find walking, swimming and cycling beneficial, you can really feel out of sorts when your body starts cleansing itself, and strenuous exercise will just make you feel worse. Wind up the exercise routine by carrying out deep breathing to use the Lungs more fully, this will get more oxygen into the blood, remove waste products from the blood - especially carbon dioxide - more quickly; and help to speed up the circulation of the blood.
Quick exercise massage for the Liver and Gall Bladder: Place the heel of the right hand on the side of the body under the rib cage, and just above the hip bone. The fingers should point straight across the body. Pressing firmly, move the hand slowly across the body to the middle of the abdomen; you should end up with the hand over the navel. Repeat this action 10-20 times. |
Avoid excess of salt & sugar:
Instead of excess salt use fresh herbs, pepper, chillies and lemon juice to enhance the flavour of food. Too much sugar isn't healthy for anyone but especially those with an impaired immune system.
Ginseng is an adaptogen that helps to stabilize blood sugar through glucose metabolism, boosts your immune system and improves mental and physical stamina, allowing the body to better manage stress. |
Laugh, Rest and feel good! :
One more really good way to boost your immune system and it's free. Laugh, Rest and feel good! A depressed mind can cause a depressed body. Laughter actually increases production of an antibody that is responsible for our first line of defense against bacterial infections. Laughter, lovemaking and exercise are the best medicine of all!
Over time, the health of the liver and lymph may be restored. Taking beneficial herbs regularly and following a detoxification process can help to provide protection to either the sick or healthy liver during the course of daily life. This stabilizes cell membranes and encourages the regeneration of liver cells destroyed during their normal functions.
Understanding the Liver
The Liver
Detoxification
The liver is the most important organ in detoxification, as it is the body's premier cleansing organ. All the blood in the body passes through the liver, which removes toxins, impurities, and debris from the bloodstream.
The liver stores fat-soluble substances; these can include chemicals, which can be stored in the liver for years. Using enzymes, the liver transforms these chemicals into water-soluble substances that can be excreted though the kidneys or the gastrointestinal tract.
Hormones are metabolized by the liver. Estrogen produced by the body and from hormone replacement therapies is broken down. If estrogen is not adequately processed, excess estrogen can result in endometriosis; high blood pressure; PMS; and breast, uterine, and vaginal cancer.
The liver also manufactures bile to digest fats; chemically changes many foods into vitamins and enzymes; converts carbohydrates and proteins into glucose for brain fuel and glycogen for muscular energy; and stores nutrients to be secreted as needed by the body to build and maintain cells.
If the liver cannot perform these jobs well, you may exhibit a number of symptoms. These include gas; constipation; a feeling of fullness; loss of appetite; nausea after fatty meals; an oily taste in the mouth; revulsion to fatty foods; frequent headaches not related to stress; weak ligaments, tendons, and muscles; skin problems; and emotional excesses.
What Can Affect the Liver?
Briefly put, living. What you eat, where you live, and what you do all can affect the liver's performance. If you consume a lot of processed foods, the additives can eventually affect the liver. If you live in an area that is highly polluted, exposure to chemicals in the air and water affects the liver. All of this can hurt the liver's performance.An impaired liver does not process food or detoxify substances as rapidly or as completely as a healthy liver. If the liver is not producing enough bile, it cannot adequately digest fats. If the liver is detoxifying more slowly than it should, it can result in more toxic substances circulating in the body.
If toxins continue to accumulate, the liver may not be able to work fast enough to clean the blood. It is like being on a treadmill that is going a little too fast: try as you might, you cannot go forward, but instead are swept back into greater toxicity. Instead of being converted into something useful or being eliminated, toxins remain unchanged. They are eventually stored in fatty body tissue and in the cells of the brain and central nervous system. The stored toxins may be slowly released to recirculate in the blood, contributing to many chronic illnesses.
What Do We Do About a Toxic Liver?
On a "self-help" basis, perhaps the best thing you can do is change your diet: Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables; lemon is especially good for the liver, as it contains diluted hydrochloric acid needed for protein digestion.
Whatever you do, you should do the best you can to take care of your liver. You'll feel better for it.
Detoxification
Another Gentle Liver Cleanse
A Mild Liver Cleanse
Do Not Attempt if Pregnant or Breastfeeding
Gentle liver cleansing is very beneficial if you are feeling sluggish, or out of sorts. It can also help people with a history of either prescribed or recreational drug taking or simply a sluggish liver due to too many late nights enjoying a drink or two. Cleansing your liver should lead to an improved sense of well being as built up toxins in the liver are shed. It is especially effective in breaking down cholesterol in the bloodstream by preventing fatty deposits from forming along the walls of the arteries. Herbal cleansing once or twice a year will significantly help those people with an 'above normal' cholesterol count.
Preparing for the Mild Liver Cleanse
Before commencing this cleanse you will need to start by cutting out all coffee, tea and alcohol for three days. This will prepare you for the cleanse and the body will begin to release toxins. Therefore ensure that you drink plenty of water to help flush them through.
Duration of cleanse: One day will often be sufficient, but if only gentle side effects (or none) are experienced then it may be possible to continue on to another one or at the most two days. However, if headaches or any other powerful detoxifying symptoms occur, simply do one day and then do another single day a week later. This cleanse can be carried out for one or two mornings and up to five consecutive mornings, only if very mild reactions are experienced. An alternative would be to do this one day a week for a month.
For this cleanse you will need the following ingredients along with the ‘Liver Cleanse & Support Formula’ and ‘Five Spice Digestive’ Herbal Tea or Taraxa Café or something similarly digestive.
Fresh Liver Drink
To carry out a gentle flush of the liver, you will need to make up a drink. This needs to be consumed each morning on an empty stomach.
For one person you will need:
1 or 2 freshly squeezed Lemons
8fl oz/200ml - Freshly pressed (or carton) Apple Juice (preferably ‘cloudy’)
8fl oz/200ml- Spring Water.
1 Clove - Fresh Garlic.
1 Tablespoon - Extra-Virgin Olive oil.
¼'' /1cm - Fresh Ginger root.
Liquidize all of the above ingredients until they are well blended to produce a smooth liquid. Transfer this into a glass and drink it slowly. Fifteen minutes after this, drink a hot cup of ‘5 Spice Digestive Tea’, Peppermint tea (using fresh leaves from the garden if they are available) or, Taraxa Cafe with cinnamon sticks, fennel seed, grated ginger, a little liquorice or anything else that you have readily available.
Lemon juice is a citrus acid that becomes alkaline in the stomach and thereby aids the cleansing of the digestive tract. It will also reduce the taste of the olive oil by emulsifying it. The garlic needs to be crushed before it is put into the blender. DO NOT use ginger if your liver ever feels hot and inflamed.
Olive oil has the advantage of not becoming rancid after harvesting, hence it has a reliable storage life. Olive oil helps to oxygenate your body internally. In its refined uncooked state it is believed to be a prime anti-oxidant. Virgin Olive oil is a mono-unsaturated fat, this means that it does not clog your arteries or contain cholesterol. It also increases the body’s levels of High Density Lipo-proteins (HDL) or 'good cholesterol'. This allows the bodies blood to absorb more cholesterol so that it may be eliminated in the liver. Therefore it is important to choose the best quality of oil, that is Organic Virgin (first pressing) Olive oil. Cholesterol does not exist in every kind of food, for instance there is no cholesterol in fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains and seeds. To lower the body’s cholesterol all animal fats should be avoided. This will include milk, cream, cheese, meat and residue meat fats, also any cereals or foods cooked in such fats, this includes cakes, pastries and any other foods cooked in animal fats. The advantage of avoiding animal fats is that it will help to lower cholesterol and maintain it at a reasonable level.
The cleanse would be even more effective if you compliment the drinks with a Vegan menu e.g. Rice, Millet, Quinoa and steamed vegetables (cabbage and artichokes are wonderful). Also make salads, using all those fresh vernal greens and make Olive oil and Lemon juice or Apple Cider vinegar dressings.
Raw food is preferable on cleansing days so as to give your liver and digestive system little work to do enabling it to focus on detoxifying. Lightly steamed vegetables can be supplemented, if raw food is not advised by your herbalist due to chronic liver disease or digestive problems (i.e. hepatitis, irritable bowel). Good liver foods include carrots, beetroot, most red, yellow and orange vegetables and fruit, dark green leafy vegetables, chicory, dandelion leaves, sprouted seeds, olives. Be creative! Do not, however, mix fruit and vegetables together in the same meal.
Toxins and Emotions Released
If you experience headaches during the liver cleanse do not worry, this is just an indication that toxins are being released. This will be alleviated if you drink plenty of water. Some emotions may also come to the surface - sadness and anger are associated with the liver, however the opposite emotion joy often replaces these feelings once the cleanse is over. This is a gentle liver cleanse and it's important to realise that toxins have been slowly and gently building up in the liver for years. Therefore small steps are probably better in the first instance.Gentle Liver Cleanse
Liver Cleanse Recipe from this site
This is an excellent liver cleanse recipe that I have adapted from about four or five other liver cleanse recipes that I have tried over the years. I have supercharged it with a few extra ingredients, but have put the main, base ingredients in bold to highlight the essentials.
I would recommend doing this over the weekend, and in the morning. It is particularly effective if you have undertaken some light exercise such as walking or jogging prior to the liver cleanse as this helps to get the toxins moving out of the body and invigorates the lymph system.
After the juice I would also recommend some breathing exercises to help the lymph flow on its way!
The Recipe for the Ultimate Liver Cleanse!
Serves 2
- 2 large grapefruits
- 4 lemons
- 300ml of distilled water (or filtered)
- 2 tablespoons of Udo’s Choice (or cold pressed flax oil
- 1 teaspoon of acidophilus
- 1-2 cloves of fresh garlic
- 2 inches of fresh root ginger
- Optional: a dash of cayenne pepper!
Directions
- Squeeze the juice of the grapefruit and lemon into a blender
- Next, grate the garlic and the ginger, and then using a garlic press, squeeze this into the juice
- Now add the water, Udo’s and acidophilus powder and blend for 30 seconds
- Add more ginger/garlic to taste
This juice contains all of the most potent liver cleansing ingredients, and gives your liver a gentle flush and the opportunity to heal itself. There are no side effects to this drink, apart from a bit of garlic-breath for a while. However, the grapefruit removes most of the odour.
I have also been told that this is the most incredible hangover cure in the world - so it might be worth bearing in mind just for that! It contains everything you would need to cure a hangover (vitamin c, omega 3, probiotics, water, ginger) so I can see how it would work!
For serious liver cleanse action, you might also want to read abou these liver, colon and body cleansing products:
Alkalive™ d-tox Detoxification Complex
Alkalive™ Red - Acid Drainage Therapy
Alkalive Colon Health Pack
Alkalive Cleanse & Detox Pack
Interesting Reading:
p.s. late addition: I just remembered hearing about a liver cleanse pesto recipe last week, but have no idea what was in it or what it was about! If anyone has such a pesto recipe to share it would be greatly appreciated!
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