Fostering Flora: Digestive problems

Digestion has never been a sexy topic. There are only certain places you can discuss it, and only certain people you can discuss it with-unless of course you're a pre-adolescent male, a demographic that is obsessed with it and talks about it to anyone, anytime, because they find it so uproariously funny.

But the rest of us tend to take digestion pretty seriously, because, when it's good, it's practically out of mind. But when it's bad, it doesn't just give you stomach cramps or gas-it can affect your general health. "Digestion is the single most important body component determining health and disease," according to Elson Haas, MD, author of Staying Healthy with Nutrition (Celestial Arts, 1992). Aside from the obvious digestive disturbances, conditions ranging from vaginal infections to cancer, can be traced to imbalances in bacteria that live in the colon. Fortunately, through proper diet and supplementation, it's not difficult to keep these bacteria in balance.

Understanding Digestion

The human digestive system is essentially one large tube that starts in the mouth and ends at the anus. Its purpose is to convert food into usable energy and nutrients, absorb them, and then expel the waste. The system also includes the organs that help this happen, such as the salivary glands, the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.

Digestion begins in the mouth, where chewing and enzymes in your saliva break down the food enough so that it can travel through the esophagus and into the stomach. There, food is assimilated by hydrochloric acid, hormones, and pancreatic enzymes. When the stomach is finished, it shuttles the resulting mixture into the small intestine, where enzymes, bile, and bacteria digest the food further, and where the walls of the small intestine absorb the nutrients from the food.

When the small intestine has done all it can do, it moves the undigested food-mostly fiber-into the colon. Things get pretty interesting here, as a community of hundreds of different types of bacteria, looking for food, shelter, and an environment to keep their own families alive, break down the fiber, a process called fermentation. And lest we dismiss these selfish little beings as inconsequential, we need to understand that we literally could not survive without them: They provide 10 percent of our daily calories, synthesize vitamins B and K, and fight disease in several ways.

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

We've all heard that we need to keep bacteria "in balance." This means that, without enough good bacteria to take care of the bad bacteria, you can develop what naturopathic physicians refer to as "toxic bowel," or dysbiosis, a situation in which the toxins given off by the bad bacteria are absorbed by the colon and produce disease.

Here's how they work: Most of the 400 microorganisms that live in the colon "live together harmoniously in a symbiotic relationship with us, provided the conditions are right and there are enough friendly bacteria," writes Ralph Golan, MD, in his book, Optimal Wellness (Ballantine, 1995). As the "friendly bacteria"-primarily Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bifida, and Streptococcus faecium-feed on carbohydrates in our colon, they produce natural antibiotics that fend off such notorious bacteria as salmonella, staphylococcus, and E. coli. They also can kill Heliobacter pylori, the bacteria that causes ulcers, and the lactic acid they form discourages the growth of other bad guys, most notably Candida albicans, a yeast which can infect our entire bodies and lead to a disease called candidiasis.

Bacteria degrade about half of the fiber we eat, producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). These fatty acids are absorbed by the colon and, among other things, provide an additional 10 percent of calories we wouldn't get otherwise, according to Daniel A. Nadeau, MD, of Bangor, Maine, an endocrinologist, nutritionist, and SCFA researcher. SCFAs also have been shown to possess impressive anticancer activity, particularly in the case of breast cancer, and to enhance the metabolism of glucose in the liver (which is one reason a high-fiber diet is so important for diabetics).

And finally, Golan writes that bacteria helps lower serum cholesterol by producing acetic acid, which inhibits cholesterol synthesis in the liver. Bacteria helps you digest dairy products, promotes regular bowel function, and even metabolizes toxic environmental chemicals. Bacteria in balance also helps nourish an environment which increases the absorption of other nutrients.

It's pretty clear that bacteria play an important role not only in digestive health, but also in our general well-being. Yet most allopathic doctors tend to overlook or dismiss the role of the bowel in disease and probably won't ask you about this during an exam. So how do you know if you have a bacterial imbalance, and what can you do about it?

Keeping 'Em Happy

If you have obvious digestive problems, too many of the bad guys are probably the reason. "Irregular flora and impairment of the digestive system almost always go together," says Nancy White, ND, who has offices in Trumbull and Farmington, Connecticut. "Undigested food, gas, bloating, belching, and heartburn are the most common indications, but if you have frequent vaginal yeast infections, an itchy anus, candidal rashes, or you just feel cloudy and foggy and your stomach aches, you could have an imbalance."

How do you get that balance back? Certain supplements can help, as can a diet of whole grains, beans, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, perhaps restricting some allergenic foods such as wheat, corn, and dairy products. Experts recommend the following:

1. HIGH FIBER DIETS are the first line of defense. Fiber provides just the right environment for good bacteria. But fiber helps balance bacteria in other ways too, says Suzanne Havala, RD, author of the position paper on vegetarianism for the American Dietetic Association. "The insoluble fiber from vegetables, wheat bran, and whole grains absorb water and add bulk to the stools," says Havala. "This increases transit time, which doesn't permit the overgrowth of the bad bacteria." Havala recommends at least 30 to 40 grams of fiber per day. Remember that animal foods contain no fiber, so "boost your ratio of plant-to-animal foods in your diet to maximize your fiber intake," Havala says. It is actually easier for the body to digest raw foods than cooked or processed foods, so eat more raw fruits and vegetables. This will automatically add fiber. But if you just can't eat that much fiber, consider taking a psyllium fiber supplement. Psyllium provides the type of fiber that fosters the growth of good bacteria.

2. DRINK LOTS OF WATER, herbal teas, and other noncaffeinated, nonsugary drinks, particularly if you've increased your fiber intake or are taking a fiber supplement. Water will help increase transit time.

3. SWITCH TO SOY MILK or rice milk if dairy products are difficult for you to digest.

4. ADD YOGURT OR MILK WITH LIVE ACIDOPHILUS or L. bulgaricus cultures, to your daily diet; however, there are conflicting opinions as to whether these actually help. Acidophilus supplements-tablets, capsules, powders, and

"I ususally automatically prescibe live lactobacillus (acidophilus) for two to four weeks to replenish the good flora if a patient it taking antibiotics," says White. "But I prescribe only live cultures so they will survive digestion in the stomach."

5. FRUSCTOOLIGAOSACCHARIDES (FOS) supplements provide an environment in the colon that fosters the growth of good bacteria.

Supplements to the Rescue

Probiotics are supplements containing live bacteria that can help bring about a healthy balance in your digestive system. These include products that contain Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, bifidobacteria, and others.

Prebiotics are supplements that provide an environment for good bacteria. One variety of prebiotics contains short-chain fructooligosaccharides, called FOS for short. FOS is derived from a glucose molecule and provides an energy source specific to helpful bacteria. (FOS is found naturally in bananas, barley, garlic, onions, rye, and tomatoes.) According to FOS researcher Daniel A. Nadeau, MD, studies show that use of FOS lowers colon cancer risk, eases ulcerative colitis, and increases calcium absorption.

Detoxification: Improve your health by eliminating toxins from your body.

In the last 200 years, we have drastically changed our environment. In today's world, millions of pounds of chemicals are released into our air, water, food, and soil every year. We live in an environment in which we are exposed to thousands of toxic chemicals daily-industrial poisions, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, radiation, auto pollution, and drugs to name a few. "Two hundred twelve million pounds of hazardous waste is generated every day in the US and more than 55,000 synthetic chemicals are now in regular production," states Sara Shannon, author of Good Health In A Toxic World (Warner Books, 1994). To make matters worse, we have refined away much of the naturally occurring nutrition in our food and replaced it with artificial additives, preservatives, and colorings. It's no wonder Americans are so sick. Many of us eat too much fat, not enough fiber, and relatively few, if any, fruits and vegetables per day. And how many of us think about the harmful effects common pollutants are having in our bodies? What happens to toxins after they've found a way into our bodies?

System Overload

The concern of medical doctors like Andrew Weil, MD and Elson Haas, MD, is not so much the short term effects, but the harm these pollutants are capable of inflicting over time. Toxins and pollutants are difficult or impossible for our bodies to break down. Therefore, constant exposure to environmental toxins is much more harmful in the long run. Some toxic chemicals can take months or years to accumulate to a level which outward signs of damage to the immune system are seen. As a result, we accumulate toxins much faster than our bodies can eliminate them, resulting in disease and illness. Common symptoms of overexposure to environmental toxins include: headaches, nausea, abdominal discomfort, vomiting, weakness, dizziness, fatigue, anxiety, joint and muscle pain, and depression. More serious reactions can include life-threatening diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Our immune defenses, gastrointestinal and liver functions, and other systems of elimination all play an important role in handling and eliminating toxins from the body. This is why we must take steps to ensure our systems are in good working order.

"If our body is working well, with good immune and eliminative functions, it can handle everyday exposure to toxins," says Dr. Elson Haas, MD, director of the Preventive Medical Center of Marin in San Rafael, California and author of The Detox Diet (Celestial Arts, 1996). The body's natural way of eliminating and neutralizing toxins is through detoxification. Detoxification is a process your body undergoes to rid itself of accumulated toxins and pollutants through urine, exhalation, feces, and perspiration. This process frees the body's natural immune system from toxic overload.

Primary Cleaners

Our four major cleansing organs are the liver, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and skin. The liver is the most important detox organ. When functioning well, the liver filters out and transforms toxic substances that have entered the blood into harmless substances that can be excreted in the urine, a process performed by the kidneys. Just to keep up with a minimal load of toxins, the liver must replace its 300 billion cells every six months. If the liver cannot keep up with the body's intake of harmful pollutants, it is at a high risk for overload. "It is estimated that at least 38 million Americans have a significant level of lead in their bodies, a metal that can cause significant physiological and psychological impairments," says Shannon. Toxic metals such as lead, mercury, aluminum, and cadmium overwork the liver and kidneys.

In a proper state of health, the intestine promotes elimination of toxins through regular bowel movements-eliminating the build-up of unhealthful microorganisms and internal toxins, and providing a strong and intact barrier to prevent the leaking of toxic materials from the intestines into the blood. On the other hand, chronic constipation or a badly impacted colon, provides a breeding ground for unfriendly bacteria that can cause problems, such as flatulence, indigestion, colitis, and bowel cancer.

The skin contains pores which allow toxins to leave the body when stimulated to perspire, and also provides a barrier against some toxins entering the body. Researchers have found that toxic substances such as industrial solvents, pesticides, and heavy metals can be excreted through sweat.

Getting Started

Almost everyone can benefit from detoxification. No one is immune to environmental toxins and no matter how careful we are, we can't completely avoid them. Fortunately, we can take steps to minimize them and keep our bodies in good working order, so that toxins may be quickly and efficiently eliminated. When you start any detox process you can begin to expect many changes: your digestion will improve, your skin will clear, chronic aches and pains will disappear, and your energy levels will rise. Your body will be devoting less of its time battling toxins and more time focusing on other important functions.

There are many different ways to help the body detoxify. The following are some of the most popular and well researched methods. Even if you choose to implement only some of these techniques, you will be protecting your healing system from harm by reducing or eliminating the number of toxins you would otherwise be exposed to.

Loving Liquids

Drink at least eight glasses of water a day. "Water is probably our most important detoxifier," Dr. Haas states. "As it helps us [eliminate toxins] through our skin and kidneys, and improves our sweating with exercise." Water is a solvent which carries elements through the blood, cleaning blood and allowing tissue building and repair. If you don't drink enough water, blood gets sticky and thick, clogging systems and taxing the body. Liquids can also include freshly squeezed juices and herbal teas.

Eating Well is Your Best Defense

Many of us consume a congesting diet loaded with meats, dairy, oils, and processed foods, which makes cleansing even more important. Even minor dietary changes will initiate and promote better detox function, including an increase in fluids, more raw foods, and fewer congesting foods. Eating a wholesome, plant-based diet, sticking to organic foods, and keeping caffeine, and other stimulants to a minimum will go a long way in keeping you healthy. Whole foods also provide nutrients like fiber that help absorb and transport toxins from the body. These foods are also high in carbohydrates which are much easier to digest than proteins and fats.

By emphasizing organic vegetables, fruits, grains, and legumes, your environmental toxin load is already greatly reduced. Toxins become more concentrated at each stage of the food chain. Shannon describes the process: "A toxic chemical such as mercury, which causes free radical formation, may be released from a paper factory into a lake and be absorbed by algae, plankton, and bottom sediments. It may then be eaten by small fish, which are eaten by larger fish, increasing the concentration of mercury. These fish may swim down the river into the ocean, to be eaten by even larger fish, such as swordfish or tuna. In this way the large fish, which is high on the food chain, would contain a much greater concentration of mercury than originally found in the algae in the lake where the toxin was released." Eating low on the food chain ensures you're getting the fewest amount of toxins. All animal products are high on the food chain, in general, leading to higher concentrations of toxins.

Supplements for Detoxification

Free Radical Protection

Free radicals roam the body damaging cells and causing a long list of diseases and ailments: premature aging, heart disease, arthritis, cancer, cataracts, etc. Free radicals are molecules with an unpaired electron, and because electrons usually come in pairs, free radicals will go out in search of their missing electron. Sometimes, they take electrons that are already paired, which can erode cell membranes and damage genetic material, a process also known as oxidation.

These free radical scavengers form during the body's natural metabolic process, but are also created under the influence of outside factors such as, daily exposure to environmental pollutants, lack of exercise, and poor diet. Free radicals are usually kept in check by the body's internally generated antioxidant enzymes until free radicals become too numerous to handle.

This is where antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, & E, come into play. Antioxidants block the further formation of free radicals by donating an electron to stabilize the free radical. The most effective free radical fighters are found in whole, natural foods, preferably organic. All of which contain essential nutrients that help your body resist disease, prevent cancer, and resist the effects of chemical pollution. The most effective way to ensure you're getting all of the antioxidants you need is to eat at least five servings per day of fruits and vegetables.

Unfortunately, you can't always get enough protection from Mother Nature alone. With the extreme amount of toxins many of us are exposed to, it is important to look at the protective and healing use of supplements. Vitamins and minerals play an important role in helping the body break down and eliminate toxic chemicals. To ensure full antioxidant protection, Andrew Weil, MD, author of Spontaneous Healing (Fawcett Columbine, 1995), suggests supplementing with the following: 1,000 to 2,000 mg of vitamin C and 25,000 IU of natural beta-carotene in the morning; 400-800 IU of natural vitamin E and 200-300 micrograms of selenium at lunch; 1,000-2,000 milligrams of vitamin C with dinner; and another 1,000-2,000 milligrams of vitamin C before bed (if convenient).

Herbal Support

Plant medicines have been used for centuries to help heal our bodies and make us look and feel better. Many herbs support and encourage detoxification. "This is the real strength of herbal medicine. Hundreds of herbal possibilities exist for blood cleansing, tissue cleaning, or strengthening the function of specific organs," says Dr. Haas. (See page 4 for which herbs to try.)

Exercise, Massage, and Bodywork

Many toxins are eliminated through the skin every day. Therefore, it is important to keep the skin clean and circulation flowing to ensure proper elimination. The following techniques promote relaxation while excreting toxins through the pores.

Exercise is one of the best ways to help the detoxification process as well as being good for you overall. With regular activity, toxins, which cause stiff aching muscles, are eliminated through the sweat glands. Exercise encourages respiration, another way to eliminate toxins. It also increases the circulation of the blood and stimulates the lymphatic system. Exercise is also beneficial on an emotional level-reducing stress, anxiety, lethargy, and depression.

Massage increases circulation to and from the tissues and helps you to relax and release stress.

A dry skin brushing, with a soft bristle brush, just before showering helps remove toxins from the pores and may help stimulate the lymphatic and circulatory systems. It also gets rid of old, dead cells and invigorates the skin.

Saunas are also a very effective detox method. People have used saunas for centuries to cleanse the body of impurities. Saunas induce a healing, cleansing fever, causing therapeutic sweating. Heating the body speeds up metabolism, and vital organs and glands are stimulated to increased activity, greatly enhancing the detoxification process. Pores open and the body sweats, helping the body rid itself of toxins.

Fundamentals of Fasting

Eating heavy, fatty foods uses up energy in digestion and elimination, which is why many of us feel tired and stuffed after a meal. Fasting can help increase the process of elimination and the release of toxins. Most detox experts agree, that juice fasting is the smartest and safest way to fast, supplying your body with the many vital nutrients it needs without stressing your digestive system.

Dr. Haas believes fasting is "the 'missing link' in the Western diet," and recommends the following for a short (2 to 3 days) cleansing juice fast. For at least three days before you begin your fast, eat only easy-to-digest, nutritious foods. Eliminate alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, and sugar. Drink lots of water to flush your systems. Two or three quarts of water and juices daily are good amounts during a fast to cleanse and support our bodies. Freshly squeezed, organic juice is best. You do not need to take any supplements during this time.

Dr. Haas and fasting experts believe that as your body begins to release toxins, you may feel dizzy, irritable, tired, and headachy, depending on your level of toxicity. Some feel nothing at all. You will be hungry, so try not to think about it, walk, nap, read, write in a journal, garden, etc., just don't eat. Ending your fast must also be gradual. On the first day eat only steamed vegetables, on the second, add a starch, such as brown rice. You will be very hungry, but don't stuff yourself. Usually by the last day you will feel much better-cleaner, refreshed, and more aware of the effects food has on your body.

Cleansing Techniques

Other popular cleansing therapies include, enemas, colonics, and natural laxatives. Enemas increase the release of colon waste, encouraging the discharge of parasites, and freshen the GI tract. Water is usually used to flush the colon of waste and toxins. Generally, enemas are administered every other day during a fast. Dr. Haas believes colonics, performed by a trained therapist are most thorough. Colonic irrigations flush the lower bowel out with water, freeing the colon of waste matter. Haas recommends one at the beginning, midpoint, and end of a fast.

If you'd rather skip the enema or colonic, laxative herbs work well. Herbal laxatives are commonly taken during fasting to encourage elimination and keep things moving. There are many natural herbal laxatives that are effective (See page 4).

You can safely and easily begin your detoxification process with a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and regular exercise. For more rigorous forms of detoxification, consult with your doctor and get periodic medical checkups during your detoxification process.

8 DAILY DETOX TIPS

The following day to day tips will help you eliminate waste and reduce toxic intake.

• Drink lots of liquids
• Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables
• Chew your food well
• Drink lots of water
• Take your vitamins
• Eats lots of fiber
• Exercise at least 3 times a week
• Treat yourself to sauna, a steamy bath, or massage-an important part of detox is being relaxed and relatively stress free

The following supplements can help provide daily support and promote detoxification.

Herbs

artichoke-bile flow enhancer, a liver tonic, helps to eliminate toxins from the body

burdock root-diuretic, with antibacterial and antifungal properties

echinacea-immune booster, anti-infective

garlic-powerful antibiotic, antifungal, and anti-parasitic, helps to thin the blood and helps lower cholesterol and blood pressure

ginger root-diuretic, digestive aid, helps to relieve digestion, soothes the gastrointestinal tract, and relieves congestion

green tea-rich in antioxidants, unfermented green tea leaves have been enjoyed by Asian cultures for centuries

milk thistle-important liver supporter which contains silymarin, a compound that protects the liver from damage and speeds up liver's ability to return to normal, silymarin is also a powerful antioxidant

reishi mushrooms-diuretic, laxative, immune stimulant, antioxidant, liver protector, and detoxifier

schisandra-liver protectant, antioxidant

turmeric-digestive aid used to stimulate bile flow

Antioxidants

beta-carotene-25,000 IU daily. Good sources: sweet potatoes, carrots, cantaloupe, spinach, and other dark green, leafy vegetables

vitamin C-2,000-5,000 mg daily. Good sources: pineapple, broccoli, peppers, cantaloupe, strawberries, oranges, kiwifruit, and pink grapefruit

vitamin E-400-800 IU daily. Good sources: vegetable and nut oils, including soybean, sunflower, and corn; sunflower seeds; whole grains; wheat germ; and spinach

selenium-200-300 micrograms daily. Good sources: Brazil nuts and whole grains

Laxatives

cascara sagrada-a stimulating colon cleanser.

psyllium seed husks-helps increase the bulk of stools and helps to sweep colon free of debris, an excellent colon and intestinal cleanser

senna-stimulating colon cleanser, acts as a stool softener

Detoxification: Is Your Inner World a Toxic Jungle?

Millions of People Suffer with Allergies, Arthritis, Asthma, Fatigue, Diabetes, Heart Disease and a Host of Other Debilitating Diseases and Ailments - Can Any of This be Prevented?

Toxic substances are all around us. Most cities are now steep in a plethora of poisons -- industrial solvents, toxins, exhaust fumes and other chemical compounds -- all percolating in our surrounding air, soil and water.

The assault on our body, specifically our liver, doesn't stop there. We then need to contend with a food supply that contains preservatives, pesticides, residues and other agents known to be carcinogenic.

Each year the average American is exposed to fourteen pounds of preservatives, additives, waxes (used to preserve produce), flavorings, colorings, pesticides and herbicide residues!
An unhealthy diet can also burden the liver. Too much alcohol, too much processed foods, artificial sweetener, and trans fatty acid can be toxic substances that spell trouble. That is, if your detoxification system is not clearing toxins from the blood. Recurrent toxic overload can induce acute headaches, PMS, joint pain, fatigue, malaise, digestive symptoms, skin disruptions, recurrent infections, immune deficiency, respiratory distress, decreased vitality, more rapid aging and other long term consequences.

What's a Liver to Do?
Besides the toxins we take into our body every day, our body also generates toxins internally as by-products of metabolism. So, even the most dedicated among us, who eat only unprocessed, organic foods, engage in exercise and maintain a healthy lifestyle, cannot entirely escape environmental and internally produced toxins. While a healthy diet and lifestyle can certainly lessen the toxic load, they by no means eliminate it.

How Do You Get Rid Of These Toxins?
We need to detoxify. Detoxification is the process of neutralizing or transforming substances that would normally be poisonous or harmful, and eliminating them from the body. Without proper detoxification, toxic substances would accumulate within the body and impair our health by interfering with the normal functioning of all our vital organ systems.

When toxins are taken into the body, and are not properly eliminated, they are stored in the cells, particularly in fatty tissue. They can be stored for months and even years. When they are finally released into the bloodstream, the toxins can trigger unwanted symptoms as the body reacts to these poisons, such as tiredness, dizziness, nausea constant headaches, etc. It can also trigger chronic and deadly diseases such as heart disease, diseases of the nervous system, liver, pancreas and other vital organs.

The Liver: The Primary Organ of Detoxification
The liver is an amazing organ, which performs thousands of tasks each day. It's the largest organ in the body, weighing 4 pounds. The liver is so valuable an organ, it is the only organ that can regenerate itself when part of it is removed or damaged. One of its tasks is to clean your blood of toxins that accumulate that would otherwise buildup in your body.

It also helps the body regulate hormone levels. That's because, through its detoxification function, the liver helps to modulate the amount and control the type of estrogen circulating in the body.

Yet, the liver must also be cleaned or these chemicals will accumulate and damage the liver. Liver supporting herbs plus a liver-supporting diet and lifestyle can enhance the liver's ability to break down and eliminate toxic waste products, helping to detoxify the body.


Lifestyle Tips

Manage Your Response to Stress
Too much stress can interfere with the body's cleansing process and actually contribute to toxic buildup.

Move Your Body
Aerobic type exercises help the body to detoxify as it enhances circulation so toxins are more efficiently eliminated from the body.

Stop Smoking
Cigarette smoke creates free radicals and more toxins in the liver.

Sweat Toxins Away
Research shows that any therapies that promote perspiration help to detoxify the body. The skin is the largest organ in the body and is also a route for excretion of waste productions. The more toxins released through the skin, the less work the liver has to do. A sauna or steam bath can help you accomplish this.

Dry Brushing
Dry brushing stimulates the lymphatic system. This system helps to move fluid through the body and carries toxins to the liver for breakdown and excretion.

Eat a Nutritious Diet

• Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables, such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage... and fruits, such as oranges and tangerines. All these help to stimulate detoxification of the liver.
• Decrease your alcohol intake. Too much alcohol can result in inflammation within the liver. As many as a million liver cells can be destroyed by a single alcoholic drink.
• Increase your intake of fiber rich foods, found in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Fiber rich foods quicken the transit time of waste elimination, absorbing toxins along the way.
• Don't overdo it with animal sources of protein or fat. Too much of either of these nutrients makes the liver work overtime.

Our body needs a certain amount of protein. Poultry, meat fish, eggs and other high quality protein sources provide a critical amino acid, cysteine, which is a precursor to glutathione (an important antioxidant enzyme). Yet, too much protein can place an added burden on the liver.

That's because when you eat more protein than the body needs, once the cells have been filled to their limit, the extra amino acids (the building blocks of protein) are broken down by the liver. Ammonia, a toxic by-product is then released.

The liver metabolizes this toxin into a harmless substance, urea, that is then eliminated from the body. A problem occurs when a persons diet is very high in protein, resulting in a large amount of ammonia being generated, putting an extra load on the liver.

With too much fat, the liver has to work harder to process it. Because the liver is the organ that produces bile, a substance that breaks down fat, the more dietary fat, the more work the liver has to do to produce more bile.

• Eliminate foods that stress the liver. Refined white flour, sugar, and caffeine stress the liver. That's because the breakdown of these products leaves toxic residues that the liver must detoxify, taking it away from its regular job.
• When you select fat, stick to the unsaturated fats. Too much saturated fat found in meat, dairy products, butter, etc. can cause inflammation, which the liver is specifically prone to, due to its exposure to toxins.
• Increase your diet with Omega 3 fatty acids (found in fish oil, cold water fish, flaxseed oil) which has an anti-inflammatory effect on the liver, not to mention, a profound positive effect on your heart.
• Don't eat too late in the evening. Since the liver repairs and restores itself during the night, go light on your dinner, and eat it early. This allows the liver to do its job, rather than trying to metabolize the residues of a heavy meal.
• Up your intake of water to 6-8 glasses a day. Water flushes toxins from the system. How many times have your read this?

Vitamins, Minerals and Herbs
There is a broad spectrum of potent, safe and effective nutrients that have a long history of supporting the liver's detoxification process.

• Milk Thistle Seed extract. This powerful antioxidant scavenges free radicals that can damage liver cells. Silymarin, the active component, protects against toxic chemicals entering the liver, helps to remove any toxins from the liver cells, as well as stimulates the liver to regenerate injured liver cells plus new liver cells. Milk thistle also inhibits the depletion of glutathione, one of the liver's most important antioxidant enzyme that actually attaches itself to toxins and facilitates its excretion from the body.
• Grape Seed extract. This powerful antioxidant is more than fifty times more potent than equivalent amounts of vitamins C and E. It helps to scavenge free radicals produced during the livers detoxification process.
• Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)... is a form of organic sulfur which is needed by the body for healthy connective tissues and joint function, proper enzyme activity and hormone balance, along with the proper function of the immune system, including the stimulation and growth of healthy skin, hair and nails.
• MSM supports liver detoxification, improving the liver's ability to neutralize toxins and pollutants. Sulfur creates stamina in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cabbage, so they can withstand the cold. It has a marked influence on the liver, promoting bile secretions. It is a powerful toxin repellant, and the skin shows sulfur's action with eruptions of toxic materials.
• Alpha-lipoic acid. This antioxidant improves liver function. It helps to protect an important water soluble antioxidant enzyme, glutathione as well as fat soluble antioxidants, including vitamins C and E and coenzyme Q 10. These antioxidants help to mop up free radicals produced during the liver's detoxification process. Alpha-lipoic acid also participates in the cleanup of toxins and other by-products of fat metabolism.
• Artichoke Leaf extract. This herb helps to stimulate the liver to perform its detoxifying tasks and promote liver regeneration. Double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical studies have demonstrated artichoke extract's ability to increase HDL (the good cholesterol) and prevent oxidation of LDL (the bad cholesterol), a dangerous process that results in build up of plaque in the arteries, contributing to heart disease.
• Dandelion. This well-known nutrient powerhouse is rich in Vitamin A, C, D, various B vitamins, iron, zinc, manganese, and magnesium. Acting as a mild and safe diuretic, it helps to eliminate toxins from the body via the urine. It also increases bile flow from the liver, facilitating the detoxification process.
• Essential Fatty Acids. Since toxins cause an inflammatory response, the liver is prone to inflammatory disease. Omega 3 fatty acids (fish oils from deep sea coldwater fish such as salmon), or flaxseed, help to decrease inflammation.
• PhosphatidylCholine (PC). This nutrient is the basic building block of the membranes of every cell in the body. It helps the liver perform many of its functions. By enabling the liver to convert estradiol, the strongest form of estrogen, to estriol, a more beneficial form of estrogen, it helps alleviate many estrogen-related problems including PMS, uterine fibroids, fibrocystic breast disease, and endometriosis. PC helps to lower plasma homocysteine levels, which, when elevated can increase our risk of heart disease. It helps the body make acetylcholine, one of its most important chemical messengers essential for helping the liver process fats.

When the liver's ability to process fats are impeded, cholesterol and trigylcerides accumulate in the liver, leading to liver disease if left untreated. PC also helps the liver eliminate toxins, accumulated as the result of exposure of chemical agents in air, water, food, the environment and drugs.

• Schizandra Berry extract. This powerful antioxidant benefits the entire body, including the liver. Scientists have discovered that the active ingredient, schizandrin, promotes regeneration of the liver. It helps to lower blood levels of serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), a marker for infective hepatitis and other liver disorders. This herb also aids the production of glucose and stimulates the build up of protein, both processes that are essential to proper liver function.
• Turmeric. The medicinally active compound in turmeric is curcumin, which has been traditionally used in Indian cooking. Curcumin increases bile secretion and the contraction of the gallbladder (the organ that stores bile), thereby facilitating detoxification and potentially lowering cholesterol. It has been shown to increase levels of 2 liver enzymes, gluthathione-S-transferase and UDP glucuronyl transferase, enzymes important for the promotion of liver detoxification.
• N-acetyl cysteine helps to raise glutathione levels, the most abundant antioxidant enzyme that the body produces. Glutathione quickly quenches free radicals that the liver produces in the detoxification process.
• Antioxidants. Vitamin A, C, and E as well as beta-carotene and selenium deactivate free radicals, preventing them from doing any damage.

Don't let your inner world become a toxic jungle. By taking the proper precautions now, you can drastically reduce your chances of being a statistic!

Say good-bye to allergies, arthritis, asthma, fatigue, diabetes, heart disease and a host of other deliberating ailments and diseases.

References

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