NontoxicLifestyle: Helpful Tips that can help you help your liver?

In our civilized lifestyle we are bugged down by stress, poor diet, smoke, environmental pollutants and excessive alcohol, over-medication, toxins or waste products in our blood stream that cause the liver to function sluggishly and when your blood is loaded with toxins due to a weak and inefficient liver, there is limited capacity for the blood to carry nutrients and oxygen supply for the brain and other parts of the body. As a result, tissue and organ cells are malnourished. If left untreated the cells will begin to age and eventually die.The brain needs oxygen to function properly but when the liver is not functioning properly, in essence filtering and circulating good blood, oxygen cannot be distributed to the brain—(the brain makes up only 2% of our body weight but it needs 20% of our oxygen supply). You should know that the liver is the most emotion sensitive organ and its weakness is linked to emotional sensitivity or some kind of toxicity. Individuals who are emotionally sensitive are more prone to liver damage—weak liver. Poor liver contributes to faster skin aging. When the liver is not functioning properly, you feel constant fatigue, memory-loss, insomnia, and thyroid problems which then lead to weight gain or obesity. Malfunctioning of the liver and kidneys is the leading cause of Alzheimer disease, Brain tumor, insomnia, memory loss, night blindness—vision problems, stroke, dizziness-fatigue-poor energy level, deafness, headaches, tinnitus, fainting-convulsion, stiff muscle, weak tendons, age-related vision problems, etc.
According to the Chinese, the liver and kidneys are the organs that "age" us. That is why almost all longevity herbs used in Chinese medicine is liver and kidney tonics. An efficient liver and kidney is the key for health and vital energy, so we have put together some helpful tips that can help you help your liver.

Alpha-Lipoic acid, a powerful antioxidant, has been used successfully to treat alcohol-induced liver damage. It aids in protecting the liver and pancreas from alcoholic damage. You can get alpha lipoic acid from eating spinach, broccoli, potatoes, brewer’s yeast and alpha lipoic supplement.

Vitamin E in its natural form is known as d-alpha-tocopherol is more available for the body and it is a potent powerful antioxidant that prevents cell damage that can be caused by free radicals by inhibiting the oxidation of lipids (fats in the body). It protects other fat-soluble vitamins from destruction by oxygen. Vitamin E improves oxygen utilization, vitamin A utilization and boost immune system. Find more info on vitamin E.

Avoid saturated fats and fried foods, which put stress on the liver. For essential fatty acids, use primrose oil supplements plus small amounts of cold-pressed organic vegetable oils like olive oil, flax-seed oil (lingnan oil).

Go on a ten-day live green juice and half cleansing fast to help remove toxins from the body quickly. Get plenty of rest, especially in the early weeks of recovery, to allow your body to cleanse and repair itself.

Avoid drugs and substance that can be toxic to your liver except those needed prescription that has been prescribed by your physician.

Avoid all alcohol especially if you’re pregnant, suffering cancer or other illness. Total abstinence is an absolute requirement for regaining control over your life. Avoid people, things, and places that are associated with drinking. Make new friendships with people who do not drink. Take up a hobby, become involved in your fitness--exercise to promote self-esteem and provide a productive outlet for energy.

Burdock root is also known as bardana, beggar’s buttons, clotbur, gobo, lappa and thorny burr. It contains phytochemicals such as acetic acid, arctigenin, arctiin, beta-carotene, butyric acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, costic acid, inulin, isovaleric acid, lauric acid, lignin, myristic acid, propionic acid, sitosterol, stigmasterol and other nutrients such as amino acids, calcium, chromium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, silicon, zinc, vitamins B1, B2, B3, and C. Burdock root acts as an antioxidant that can help protect you against cancer by helping control cell mutation. It helps eliminate excess fluid, uric acid, and toxins. It purifies the blood, restores liver and gall bladder function, as well as stimulates the digestive and immune systems. In addition to this, burdock root has antibacterial and antifungal properties; it can help treat skin disorders such as boils, carbuncles, relieve gout and menstrual symptoms. Burdock root can be used as a hair rinse to promote healthy hair and scalp. Take caution when using burdock root because it interfere with iron absorption when taken internally. Also burdock root is not to be used if you’re pregnant, breast-feeding woman, diabetic or have heart or cardiovascular problems.

Red Clover contains pytochemicals like beta-carotene, beta-sitosterol, biochanin, caffeic acid, campesterol, chlorogenic acid, coumarin, coumestrol, daidzein, eugenol, formononetin, genistein, isorhamnetin, methyl salicylate, myricetin, p-coumaric acid, salicylic acid and other nutrients like calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, and zinc, vitamin B3, C, and E. Red clover has expectorant, antispasmodic and relaxing effect. It helps fight infection and bacterial infection like coughs, bronchitis, inflamed lungs as well as treat inflammatory bowel disorders, kidney problems, skin disorders and liver disease. It can help strengthen the immune system, suppress appetite and purify the blood.

Activated charcoal can help cleanse the blood stream of toxins.

Dandelion root can be boiled and eaten like any other vegetable or salad. It contains phytochemicals like Beta-carotene, beta-sitosterol, caffeic acid, cryptoxanthin, lutein, mannitol, p-coumaric acid, saponin, stigmasterol and other nutrient such as calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, zinc, vitamin B1, B2, B3, and C. Dandelion acts as a diuretic, it cleanses the blood and liver, and increases bile production, reduces serum cholesterol and uric acid levels, improves functioning of the kidneys, pancreas, spleen and stomach, relieves menopausal symptoms. It is very useful for treating anemia, boils, breast tumors, constipation, fluid retention, jaundice, rheumatism, age spot, breast cancer, liver cirrhosis and hepatitis. However, it should not combined with other prescription diuretic and it is not recommended for people with gallstones or biliary tract obstruction.

Silymarin (milk thistle extract) helps repair damage done to the liver. Silymarin is extracted from seeds of the herb milk thistle; silymarin has been used for centuries to treat liver disease. The active ingredients in milk thistle are several types of flavonoids known collectively as silymarin that acts as a powerful antioxidant. Silymarin guards the liver from oxidative damage. It also protects the liver from toxins, drugs, and the effects of alcohol, and promotes the growth of new liver cells. In addition, silymarin increases levels of gluthathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase, potent antioxidant enzyme that protect the liver. It has been shown to reduce insulin resistance, which may help patients with diabetes in controlling their blood sugar levels.

Curcumin, the yellow pigment in turmeric, is the active ingredient that helps fight free radical damage, protect the liver against toxins, inhibits platelet aggregation, aids circulation, lowers cholesterol levels, and improves blood vessel health. It has antibiotic, anticancer and anti-inflammatory (COX-2 enzyme) properties.

Rosemary fights free radicals, inflammation, bacteria and fungi. It helps detoxify the liver, and has anticancer and anti-tumor properties.

Oregon grape root helps purify the blood and cleanse the liver. In addition to this, it acts as a laxative and can be helpful for acne, psoriasis and other skin conditions.

Psychological support and biofeedback can help prevent liver damage related to stress and emotional problem like depression.

As much as possible, avoid stress. Cultivate patience and live a Nontoxic Lifestyle; this will be needed in the long run for self balance, recovery and it will help your liver function better.