Ann-Marie Warren asked:




Just as your body has to maintain it's temperature, it also has to maintain it's ph level. Like most living things on earth the body has to have a balanced pH or it does not function correctly.

The body will go to great lengths to preserve that, including wreaking havoc on other tissues or systems.

If your body's pH is not balanced, you cannot effectively assimilate vitamins, minerals and food supplements. Your body pH affects everything.

One of the livers many functions is processing acid toxins from the blood and producing numerous alkaline enzymes for the system and is your first line of defense against any poisons.

All the nourishment obtained through the gastrointestinal tract enters the blood by way of the liver. The load on the liver is much heavier when acid waste products are constantly floating in the blood.

Our bodies simply cannot fight disease if our body pH is not properly balanced.

Human blood stays in a very narrow pH range around 7.35 - 7.45. Below or above this range means symptoms and disease. If blood pH moves too much below 6.8 or above 7.8, cells stop functioning. The ideal pH balance for blood is 7.4

An acidic pH can occur from, an acid forming diet, emotional stress, toxic overload, and/or immune reactions or any process that deprives the cells of oxygen and other nutrients. The body will try to compensate for acidic pH by using alkaline minerals. If the diet does not contain enough minerals to compensate, a build up of acids in the cells will occur.
Ways to alkalize

One of the simplest and most effective ways to alkalize your system is with a glass of water with a wedge of lemon in it.

It tastes great, is incredibly refreshing and so easy to prepare.

In A.F. Beddoe's book "Biological Ionization in Human Nutrition the following benefits to the liver are attributed to the humble lemon.
a. provide a natural strengthening agent to the liver enzymes when they are too dilute.
b. The liver can make more enzymes out of fresh lemon juice than any other food element.
c. The lemon helps fix oxygen and calciums in the liver because it regulates blood carbohydrate levels which affect the blood oxygen levels."
Jethro Kloss in his book Back to Eden, describes the medicinal value of the lemon as follows "It is an antiseptic, or is an agent that prevents sepsis [the presence of pathogenic bacteria] or putrefaction [decomposition of tissue]. It is also anti-scorbutic, a term meaning a remedy which will prevent disease and assist in cleansing the system of impurities."

Moderate exercise is alkalizing to the body. (Yoga ideal)

Excessive exercise (past the point of exhaustion) can create an acidic problem due to lactic acid buildup. People who are acidic usually feel worse from exercise because their detoxification organs are not working properly due to excessive acid in the tissues. Yet without exercise, acid and toxin buildup are likely.

Express yourself.

All unexpressed negative emotions create an acidic environment. "It's eating me up inside" Ever described a negative feeling or emotion this way?

Suppressed anger and resentment, particularly has been linked to the liver.

In Chinese medicine, The liver is the seat of anger, and it stores not only your anger but the anger from others, as well, especially your parents. The toxic energy stored in the liver affects the liver's function. Anger injures the liver's yin energy which results in a flare up of liver yang energy. This rising liver yang ascends to the heart and head--causing headaches, blurred vision, dizziness, and mental confusion. Irritability, a short temper, and outbursts of anger further damage the liver and create a cycle of disease and destructive emotional energy.

Love and understanding cleanse and heal the body creating an alkaline environment within you.

It is important to eat a diet that contains both acidic and alkalizing foods. People vary, but for most, the ideal diet is 75 percent alkalizing and 25 percent acidifying (foods by volume).
Ideally 75% more alkaline foods

Almonds
Carrots
Dates
Avacados
Limes
Coconuts
Celery
Cucumbers
Walnuts
Wheat grass

Consume only 25% of acid forming foods

Processed fats
Animal meats
Cows milk
Cheese
Coffee
Sugar

Bread

Supplementing your diet with live greens is also recommended.
There are a number of quality products available, but be sure to read the label and check the ingredient list.

Two of what I consider to the best are

Inner balance - Pure energy greens with msn, and
In-Liven Probiotic Superfood

I personally use the Australian Made, In-liven. (available online from http://www.buyorganicshop.com)

It's main ingredients include organic spirulina, one of the single richest and most complete sources of total organic nutritition in the world, alfalfa grass, a complete protein with vitamins A, B, C, D, E, F, K and rich in calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium and trace elements. Organic barley grass that has an incredible concentration of minerals, vitamins, trace elements, protein and live enzymes and organic wheat grass which is extremely high in chlorophyll and has a molecular structure very similar to the haemoglobin of human blood. Chlorophyll is the blood of the plant and is extremely rich in nutrients.

The formula also contains the complete lactobacillius family.

Lactobacillius bacteria form a significant part of the natural intestinal flora. Lactic acid producing lactobacilli bacteria alter the ph level of the large intestine making it less hospitable to undesirable bacteria, moulds, mould spores and yeast, particularly Candida.

Willie Jones asked:




The liver is a reddish brown organ weighing in at about 3 to 5 lbs., resides under the diaphragm on the right hand side of the body, and has many functions. It has two large arteries, the heptic artery, which has the job of carrying oxygen rich blood from the heart into the liver, and the portal vein that carry's out the blood with digested foods.

The liver is one of the hardest working organs in the body, and excellent liver health means well being, an overstressed liver however, means ill health and potential poor quality of life.

Its functions are:

- Filters harmful toxins, chemicals, preservatives, alcohol etc. The liver is the main line of defense against poisons entering and damaging our system.
- Turns glucose into glycogen which is fuel for your body. Some glycogen is used immediately and the rest may be stored in fat to be used at a later date. It processes protein and fats from digested foods and makes it available for transportation through the blood, which also includes proteins used to make beneficial clotting (such as for cuts and scrapes).
- The liver also produces bile which further enhances the digestive process and waste products are carried away.
- The liver also is a place of storage for vitamins such as B, A, D and K for use as needed.
- It is the major producer of cholesterol and triglycerides which are necessary for all then tissues of the body. Most cholesterol we get is from consuming animal fats but when we do not receive dietary cholesterol; our liver makes it and then distributes it to the bloodstream for transportation throughout the body.
- The liver also produces immune factors for the body that assist in removing bacteria from the blood, enhancing our resistance to infections.

Symptoms of a sluggish liver:

- chronic fatigue
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
- frequent headaches
- sleep disorders, nightmares
- dizziness
- hot flashes
- hormonal imbalances
- bloating of the stomach
- smelly diarrhea
- chronic constipation
- gallstones
- skin problems
- weak eye sight

There are many reasons a liver can become over burdened. We live in a world today where toxins are everywhere. There are literally hundreds of FDA approved chemicals, pesticides, fungicides, preservatives, MSG and now genetically modified foods. Processed food is so prevalent in north America's daily diet that there is absolutely no wonder why we have such an obesity problem.

We are also bombarded with petro chemicals every single time a car, truck or bus etc., passes by us. Living in any city makes it impossible to get away from inhalation of these toxins.

Then there is industrial smoke that plumes out on a daily basis. Anyone living near one of these huge stacks will tell you that when the wind blows in their direction, the smell is definitely present.

Our water sources are also cause for some of the toxins our bodies absorb with chlorine and in some places, fluoride. In some states, they have to deal with toxins reaching underground water (the aquifer) from chemicals used on golf courses etc. It may look pretty but the environmental effects are very evident.

The point is, we live in a toxic environment and unless you are eating organic and live in the wilderness far away from mainstream life, you can benefit from periodic detoxing, especially the hardworking liver.

Some things you can do to unburden the liver are:

- Reduce stress in your environment
- Start your day with lemon juice in warm water, then eat fruit and drink non sugary juices.
- Make sure you eat salads and veggies at lunch.
- Drink a lot of water throughout the day. You can also get some of your water intake through herbal teas. They have beneficial anti-oxidants and depending on what kind you get, some have calming properties, detox properties etc.
- Get enough fiber in your diet. Fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of fiber.
- Get at least 15 minutes of sunshine per day.
- Get yourself more exposure to negative ions. These are present in nature, in forests, at the beach, and in the country. In short, get out of the city whenever you can. If you cannot get out of the city, consider getting an ion generator of some kind. Negative ion therapy is great for helping one detox and rebalance the body, plus negative ions gives you that feeling of well being.

Help your body detox by addressing the liver and just see if you don't feel better!

This article was written for information purposes only and does not suggest a cure for any disease.

Steve A Johnson asked:




Liver Cleansing is one of the most important health activities you can do for yourself. The liver has hundreds of functions including the processing and maintaining of the body's supply of nutrients and energy. A liver cleansing can be the answer you are looking for if you are having stomach problems, headaches, fatigue and even hepatitis.

If you have a health condition, large or small, there is a good chance it is directly related to the liver. There are a lot of illnesses that we face that can be avoided if our liver was in optimum health. Such illnesses and conditions include; digestive problems, loss of energy, joint pain, bloating, irregular menstruation, headaches, difficulty in breathing, heart disease, cancer, diabetes and most other sever illnesses.

The way our liver functions depends on our personal habits. Recreational drugs, excessive alcohol, chemically enhanced foods, stress and a poor diet can result in gallstones. Gallstones are small hardened deposits of bile which clog the liver ducts, resulting in loss of nutrients to protect our bodies. When we mention gallstones, a lot of people think about the gallbladder, but in fact most gallstones come from the liver.

There are nutritional experts that say what we should and should not eat to make our bodies healthier. If you do not believe in a good diet, now is a good time to start. You cannot detoxify the liver if there is an overabundance of toxins and bacteria. This means no red meat, recreational drugs, alcohol, and artificial sweeteners. It is highly recommended to go on a vegetarian diet in order to prepare the body for a cleansing.

If you are looking to restore your health and to get rid of the toxic gallstones, performing a liver cleanse is the best thing for you. For optimal results, an individual should perform a series of liver cleanses, lasting a few weeks. After your first cleanse, you will start to pass the gallstones, possibly hundreds a day. Each liver cleansing will do the right amount of work. The amount of cleansing required relies upon on how poorly you have treated your body, and if you keep passing gallstones, another cleanse in necessary.

Each result of a liver cleanse is the direct result of what you put into your body. An important issue to remember is that during and after your cleansing try not to put anymore toxins into your body. If you are thinking about doing a liver cleanse, start a few weeks ahead of the first cleanse and take a deeper look into your diet and lifestyle.

Now that you have gone through the liver cleanse, where do you go from here? If you are like a lot of other people, you will have a better sense of your health. A liver cleansing or any other type of body detoxifying process can be emotional as well. In typical results, a person can feel disgust, guilt and depression when they see just how many gallstones can be cleansed.

There are cases of people who did a correct liver cleanse and swore off toxins for good. Some people have quit drinking alcohol; have switched to fruit juices instead of artificial sweeteners and others stopped delivering illegal drugs into their system.

A liver cleanse is a great idea and a healthy way to get rid of all your toxins and to clean up your liver for optimal performance. As with any cleansing, please talk to your doctor for suggestions and information.

Jeffrey Meier asked:




Vitamin B-12 is a water soluble vitamin which helps maintain healthy nerves cells and red blood cells. It functions as a methyl donor and works with folic acid in the synthesis of DNA and red blood cells and is vitally important in maintaining the health of the insulation sheath that surrounds nerve cells. Vitamin B-12 is also called Cobalamin as it contains the metal cobalt. During digestion hydrochloric acid in our stomach releases B-12 from proteins in foods. This vitamin B12 then combines with a substance called gastric intrinsic factor (IF). This complex can then be absorbed by the intestinal tract.

Deficiency:

Though Vitamin B-12 is water-soluble it does not get excreted quickly in the urine, but rather accumulates and gets stored in the liver, kidney and other body tissues. Thus its deficiency may not manifest itself until after 5 or 6 years of a diet supplying inadequate amounts. The most common vitamin B-12 deficiency disease is pernicious anemia characterized by large, immature red blood cells. You may suffer from underlying stomach or intestinal disorder that limits the absorption of vitamin B-12.It is seen that many patients exhibiting symptoms of Alzheimer's actually suffer from Vitamin B-12 deficiency. Deficiency of vitamin B12 has also been associated with.

Common signs and symptoms associated with Vitamin B-12 deficiency include:

• Anemia, fatigue, weakness, constipation, loss of appetite, and weight loss

• Neurological problems such as numbness and tingling in the hands and feet

• Difficulty in maintaining balance

• Depression, confusion, dementia, poor memory

• Soreness of the mouth or tongue

• Asthma, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, tinnitus, diabetic neuropathy and low sperm counts

• In infants it will lead to movement disorders, delayed development, and megaloblastic anemia

Anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency can be treated by taking folic acid but it cannot correct the nerve damage also caused by B12 deficiency. Permanent nerve damage can occur if vitamin B12 deficiency is not treated.
Amount required:

The amount of vitamin B-12 required by our body is about 2 micrograms or 2 millionth of a gram/day. Larger amounts of this vitamin has to be supplied through diet or supplementation as it does not get absorbed very well. Vegetarians have to be careful as vegetables and fruits do not provide sufficient vitamin B-12. It has been recorded that mainly strict, long-term vegetarians suffer from its deficiency. The production of the intrinsic factor required to absorb the vitamin from the small intestine also starts to decline rapidly with age. The richest dietary sources of vitamin B12 are liver, especially lamb's liver, and kidneys. Eggs, cheese and some species of fish also supply small amounts.

Supplementation:

Oral supplementation with vitamin B12 can be taken which is safe, efficient and not very expensive. If you take a B12 supplement containing ten micrograms or more everyday, it will be the same as consuming one microgram on three occasions through the day. 2000 micrograms of B12 consumed once a week would also provide an adequate intake. These B12 supplement tablet should be chewed or allowed to dissolve in the mouth to enhance absorption. You should not exceed more than what is required for maximum benefit.

It is best that you consult with your physician how much Vitamin B-12 you should consume as he can examine your body and tell you the dosage according to your body requirements.

Ted Wosko asked:




We are all guilty of taking our body for granted and especially our vital organs including the liver our largest internal organ. We all seem far too engrossed in our 'looks' nowadays and spend far too much precious time and money on this through creams, pills and fad diets, but by keeping good health of the whole body and organs helps to keep the ravages of time at bay.

As you know our motto is 'good food good health' and we believe that maintaining your well being through a varied nutritional diet should be everybody's goal- you are what you eat after all.

How well you eat can also affect how well your liver performs, therefore it is important to eat good food to support it, as good nutrition helps form new liver cells and can help rebuild some damaged cells enabling good health.

The liver is the great detoxifier of the body. Our bodies are subjected to toxic substances everywhere, not only from food and drink that we consume but also from the air that we breathe and from chemicals that we use daily around our houses and come into contact with at work.

When toxins build up and accumulate overloading the detoxification system, we can become progressively more sensitive and suffer illness.

The liver consists of four unequal lobes is sited under your diaphragm slightly to the right side of your body and generally weighs about 1.36 kg

The main function of the liver is to get rid of toxins and produce bile but it completes a whole host more - converting glucose to glycogen, producing substances that break down fats, making certain amino acids that are the building blocks of proteins, producing urea the main substance in urine, filtering harmful substances from the blood, storing minerals and vitamins, maintaining the level of glucose in the blood and producing about 80% of your cholesterol.

As you can see the liver, a very important organ is essential for life and death generally occurs within 24 hours if it stopped working, so by adopting a healthy lifestyle and eating good food for good health helps maintain an efficient function.

60% of you liver is made up of hepatic cells - the basic metabolic cells - and these specialised cells carry out more chemical processes than any other in your body, changing the nutrients from food you eat into forms your body's cells can readily use.

The Kupffer cells are the second most important group of liver cells and remove damaged blood cells and destroy microbes and cell debris.

Blood is carried to the liver by two vessels - the hepatic artery carries oxygen rich blood from the aorta and the portal vein carries blood containing digested food from the small intestine. These blood vessels repeatedly subdivide in the liver and end up being small capillaries, each leading to a lobule. Thousands of lobules make up the liver tissue and each lobule is made up of hepatic cells.

To support your liver and enable proper detoxification we all need to eat a healthy diet of good food including fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts, seeds and a healthy intake of protein.

Liver complaints are higher now than ever before due to the lifestyle many have adopted. Fast foods that are high in saturated fats are too readily available, and eaten on a regular basis can cause problems.

Alcohol consumed in large amounts can lead to damage and suppress immunity through stressing the process of detoxification. Bingeing and heavy alcohol consumption can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, today cases are continuing to rise and it is especially worrying in the female population, with numbers spiralling up over the past five years

Consuming too much iron in your diet - mostly through high intake of supplements - this has been shown to be prominent in body builders, is stored in the liver making it much harder to work and increases risk of iron toxicity.

So remember we have to look after the whole body and feed it nutritionally, all our organs are essential for a healthy working body, and the healthier we are on the inside shows on the outside.

Glossy hair and great skin comes from eating a balanced varied diet of good food for good health and keeps our immune system and all our body working at its potential. When we look great we feel great.

So next time you go grocery shopping why not try adding a few different healthy foods you would not normally buy, to keep meal times tasty and exciting especially for children.

Look after yourself so you can look after others

Sandra & Ted

Nicole Cutler asked:




Typically assumed to inflict solely negative consequences, cholesterol is actually a necessary component of a healthy body. Cholesterol is a waxy substance in the blood, critical in the digestion of dietary fats, the building of cell walls and in manufacturing vitamins and hormones. One of the secrets to securing a healthy body, including a healthy liver, is to maintain an ideal balance of cholesterol levels.

If cholesterol levels are too high, a person is at risk for coronary artery disease, heart disease, a metabolic disorder or even liver disease. Embedded in vehicles known as lipoproteins, cholesterol is transported in the bloodstream to be used or excreted throughout the body. When these inhabitants of our blood become overpopulated, traffic jams can result, blocking subsequent blood flow in the vessels. Impeded circulation is a primary factor in most types of illness.

Cholesterol and the Liver
Excessive cholesterol in the blood can deposit plaques along the vessels, contributing to the development of atherosclerosis, the hardening of the arteries. While atherosclerosis is a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes, it can also have negative consequences on the liver. The relationship between the liver and blood cholesterol is multi-faceted:

· Synthesis of bile acids – Essential to the digestive process, the liver synthesizes bile acids from cholesterol. Bile acids emulsify dietary fat, allowing for its absorption in the intestines.

· Liver circulation - Liver disease, particularly cirrhosis, can lead to portal hypertension. Portal hypertension is the result of high blood pressure within the portal vein, where the blood enters the liver. When blood cannot flow easily through the liver, internal pressure increases, posing the risk of ruptured blood vessels. Cholesterol deposits may also contribute to decreased blood flow in the liver, further restricting the vessels that safely handle the liver’s duties.

· Removal of cholesterol – High-density lipoproteins (HDL) help remove excessive cholesterol from the body by transporting it to the liver for its breakdown and excretion. As a diseased liver’s function decreases, do does its ability to remove excessive cholesterol from the blood supply.

What is Excessive Cholesterol?
According to the American Heart Association, about 20 percent of the U.S. population has high blood cholesterol levels. When getting your cholesterol checked, there are four numeric values that come into play - total cholesterol, LDL (low-density lipoproteins), HDL (high-density lipoproteins) and triglycerides.

· Total Cholesterol – A comprehensive measurement of the cholesterol in your blood, it is desirable to have a value less than 200 mg/dL. A person carries a borderline level of health risks if the total cholesterol is between 200-239 mg/dL, and is considered high risk if total cholesterol exceeds 239 mg/dL.

· LDL - This cholesterol is the primary cause of harmful fatty buildup in arteries. The higher the LDL cholesterol levels in the blood, the greater the health risk. Ideal LDL levels are below 100 mg/dL, while values exceeding 159 mg/dL carry a high risk of cardiovascular disease.

· HDL – This form carries blood cholesterol back to the liver, where it can be eliminated. HDL helps prevent a cholesterol buildup in blood vessels. While values typically range from 40 to 60 mg/dL, an HDL under 40 mg/dL puts the individual at risk for cardiovascular disease. Studies suggest that high levels of HDL cholesterol reduce your risk of heart attack.

· Triglycerides - Triglycerides are the chemical form in which most fat exists in food as well as in the body. Triglyceride levels under 150 mg/dL are normal, while values exceeding 199 mg/dL carry a high risk of cardiovascular disease.

Due to the delicate balance of useful cholesterol and damaging cholesterol, most physicians rely on specific ratios of these four numeric values to determine healthy blood cholesterol.

Liver Benefits from Good Cholesterol Ratio
The public is being increasingly educated on the various ways to maintain the best possible cholesterol levels. These include lifestyle modifications, such as smoking cessation, regular exercise, a diet high in fiber and low in saturated fat, as well as reliance on cholesterol lowering medications.

Awareness of cardiovascular risk by improving your cholesterol ratio will benefit not only your heart’s health, but also your liver’s health. While the heart muscle pumps blood throughout the body, the liver must cleanse the blood and extract ingredients critical to sustaining life.

Just as the heart and liver contribute to blood maintenance health, all of our organs and body systems work in unison to support the proper functioning of our bodies. Factors that affect one system will likely affect every other. So if optimal liver health is desired, then steps to increase HDL and decrease LDL and triglycerides are definitely called for.

References:

Henkel, John, Keeping Cholesterol Under Control, FDA Consumer Magazine, January/February 1999.

http://www.abouthypertension.info, Health Issues Associated with Hypertension, NCERx LLC 2006.

http://www.americanheart.org, About Cholesterol, American Heart Association, Inc., 2006.

http://www.liverdisease.com, Cholesterol and Liver Disease/Hepatitis, Melissa Palmer, MD, 2004.

Sandra Wosko asked:




Hi Everyone

Ladies did you know the greatest thing to help keep cellulite to a minimum is through a good healthy diet, as this keeps your liver working at its potential, reducing storage of HDL - bad cholesterol.

As I have mentioned many times before 'we are what we eat' so our motto 'good food for good health' should be everybody's.

I believe as we get older we do take this 'on board', but we need to encourage the younger generation that they need to instill this as a way of life now, and not something they can just put right later on, as cellulite can start to form at puberty - although it is generally later.

French doctors coined the term 'cellulite' - the bain of all women, believing it is a certain form of fat that accumulates under the skin, leaving the affected area looking lumpy and dimpled, like orange peel.

As with any health problem, there is generally no such thing as a single cause, but different life situations combined with co-factors and causative agents that interact and promote an effect or symptom, and cellulite is no different.

Today most doctors do not believe cellulite to be a special form of fat, but believe it is simply ordinary fat that is pulled down by gravity.

I hold my hand up to the fact that over the years I have checked in the mirror for tell tale signs, and yes I do have some, I first noticed it when I was half way through my first pregnancy and nearly had a fit, only being 28.

Before this I had always thought cellulite was an 'older' thing that happened to us when we became a certain age, unlike nowadays when the paparazzi show pictures of stick insect models sporting it.

Cellulite can affect any woman of any size at any time. I really wish that when I was younger I knew what I know now about eating 'good food for good health', as this has a great bearing on what we are, and how this really does affect our health and its effect on our body.

Many studies have been carried out on cellulite and its causes, and weak functioning of the liver was found to be common in women prone to it.

So it cannot be stressed enough ladies that we really do need to eat a varied diet of good food, so that the liver can work effectively. When we eat a poor diet that is high in saturated fats, our liver becomes sluggish and clogged.

Fatty degeneration of the liver is caused by excessive fat build up and impairs the ability to function and handle fat properly, this allows fat to be stored around the body accumulating often around the waistline or being deposited as cellulite under the skin.

When the liver is impaired by fatty degeneration cholesterol levels are hampered allowing 'bad' LDL cholesterol to build up instead of manufacturing 'good' cholesterol - HDL.

Also it revealed that a poor lymphatic system, bad circulation and constipation were thought to help with the formation of cellulite. Hormonal in-balances could also be a determining factor.

Therefore poor dietary choices and nutritional deficiencies- where diets are rich in processed foods, fats, alcohol and toxins such as additives and colourings affect our biochemical processes and digestion, that hinders and prevents natural detoxification.

Because of the fast food lifestyle undertaken nowadays - obesity is alarmingly on the rise, and is an underlying cause of several illnesses, as the dietary factors with these types of foods are causing congestion of vessels and ducts of the circulation and eliminations systems including the bile ducts of the liver and the digestive tract.

Unfortunately for us females hormones and fat are very much related, and after reaching puberty we carry twice as much fat due to the body becoming ready for the event of pregnancy. This stored fat is very resistant to the effort of weight loss.

Fat or fat cells are formed from - fatty acids in food, lipoproteins in the liver, chylomicrons in the intestine and from insulin dependant triglycerides that come from amino acids and glucose.

The volume of fat cells in certain areas of the body is increased with higher levels of estrogen and progesterone, whereas testerone does the opposite.

So ladies we are all bound to have some cellulite, but by eating a healthy diet and eating slowly can help as this allows the enzymes that break down food to work efficiently enabling proper absorption of nutrients and digestion of the food.

As we get older- the pancreas that produces enzymes to metabolise food starts to diminish, so this can also lead to fat gain. Aging is not the only factor for of the pancreas producing fewer enzymes, our diet can be a cause when high in processed foods and trans fatty acids.

When your liver is healthy it produces bile that breaks down fat. If your body is lacking certain nutrients the bile cannot do its job properly, or if the liver is clogged with toxins, pharmaceuticals and chemicals.

So drinking plenty of fluid and eating a varied diet of good food will give you many of the different nutrients, vitamins and anti oxidants needed to keep the liver working at full potential.

Fruit and vegetables are excellent, and you can always make them into a smoothie if you prefer to 'drink' them rather than eat them.

Beetroot juice is said to help the liver break down stored fats, you can make it fresh with an extractor or buy it from your local health food shop and drink a small glass daily.

Seaweed is rich in minerals, proteins, iodine and vitamins and is said to promote smooth skin and to gets fats moving in the body. Seaweed - Kelp tablets are available in most health stores, and there are many seaweed-based products that are great for the skin.

Skin brushing is claimed to remove toxic waste by stimulating the lymphatic system, directly through the skin. Brush your whole body once a day, I often do this in the shower, start off gently then gradually increase pressure to a firm stroke as you become used to it.

Begin brushing with the soles of your feet, moving up your legs with firm sweeping strokes - I always linger a little longer on the thighs, then brush up the arms, across the shoulders and down your back to the buttocks - another area I linger on, then softly across your tummy and chest with light circular strokes to your neck

I believe massage is the best way of making cellulite look less obvious, it does not go away but the surface becomes less dimply with regular massaging.

There are many products today claiming to reduce cellulite, whether these are effective or not is a matter of opinion, but if they make you feel better about your cellulite then they are worth it.

Skin firming lotions are great for massaging all over your body and especially in areas where cellulite is prone.

Almost twenty years on since having seen my first signs of cellulite, I am really lucky as it has not increased much at all, and my friends and family have noticed this too.

I have never been a great exercise freak, but yoga and walking are my passion and my dog appreciates the walks! This combined with a healthy diet most of the time - like everyone eating a little of what you fancy does not hurt- but continually on a regular base can cause problems- is all I do.

I have not yet bought into buying expensive creams and lotions, but I do body brush a couple of times a week and massage an ordinary body lotion all over every day, I feel this keeps my skin in excellent condition and really helps with circulation by improving blood flow.

It may take a few minutes longer every day doing this, but it has the advantage that you really get to know your body and notice when there are little changes, which us women should all take care of, especially the breast area.

Let us know how you have improved your cellulite.

So remember good food is good health.

Sandra & Ted

Micheal Thomas asked:




The liver is one of the most important organs in the body which performs a lot of functions like filtering the blood and making bile. Bile is a substance that helps digest fat and excrete certain fatty substances. It also helps in processing and hooking fats to carriers such as cholesterol, storing sugars, helping the body transport to save energy, making important proteins, such as most of those involved in blood clotting, as well as albumin which regulates fluid transport in the blood and kidneys, getting rid of toxic substances, and metabolizing many medications.

On top of this, it also helps with storing some important minerals and vitamins, and helping break down and recycle red blood cells.

If the liver doesn't function very well or is infected by disease, your life is certainly at risk. Some of the health benefits from bee pollen and the liver are closely linked together. Let us discover the ways of how the pollen from the bee helps us take care of this important body organ.

Liver problems are caused by a variety of conditions including viral infections, bacterial invasion, and chemical or physical changes in the body. The most common cause of liver damage is malnutrition, especially when it is paired up with alcoholism. Even if the liver is very resilient in facing liver problems, it is still susceptible in malfunctioning if the problems insist. There are a lot of liver diseases which include cirrhosis, a wide variety of hepatitis, fatty liver, and so much more.

Bee pollen and the liver are interrelated when it comes to functionality. The pollen from the bee maintains and revitalizes the body organs, such as the liver, to be at their top notch working condition.

The liver also makes sure that it functions well so that we remain in good health. Bee pollen increases the amount of red blood cells in the body as the liver helps break down and recycles these red blood cells. This type of pollen is also known for its rich antioxidant properties just like the liver's detoxifying processes. Liver excretes fatty substances not needed by the body just like pollen's lecithin content which dissolves and flushes out fat cells.

The liver excretes bile for proper digestion of our food just like the pollen does for aiding our digestive system. As you can see, bee pollen and the liver work together like a team in delivering some healthy benefits for our body.

But that's not all. The most common reason for liver problems is malnutrition, right? The greatest thing about ingesting bee pollen is the fact that it contains all the vital nutrients our body needs for survival and for longevity. Your whole system is well supplied with the needed nutrition of various vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids, protein, and even loads of antihistamine properties for your allergies, as well as antioxidant properties for disease prevention.

Freeze dried pollens are the most favored of all because of its high potency. Heat dried pollens do not possess the health benefits you're expecting from other pollens because
the heat destroys the elements and nutrients found in the pollen from the bee.

Manufacturers of high grade pollens use a freeze drying process to retain intact pollen health benefits. Your liver deserves your utmost care. What you can do is take in freeze dried supplements to keep you and your liver healthy.

Maureen Hope asked:




In today's modern society of fast living and processed foods, our bodies, and our livers in particular, can take a real pounding! The liver is the organ that has the job of filtering and removing harmful toxins and waste from our bodies. When there is too much build up of toxins and congestion in our systems from our 'not so healthy' eating habits, we can start to feel unwell in a number of ways. This is why it is a good idea to take the time to regularly detox our bodies. There are several ways you can do this and the following is a simple, yet effective, liver detox recipe that will help to have you feeling better again in no time.

The most effective liver detox recipes usually end up in liquid form and the best of these is one that contains a combination of 4 specific vegetables. Take 1 carrot, 1/2 beetroot, 1 stick of celery and 1 cucumber. Start by washing all the vegetables and peeling the carrot and beetroot. Then dice all the ingredients and blend them in a juicer. This drink is most effective taken at breakfast time, as the body has fasted overnight and, hence, is not overly full of undigested food.

There are several other liver detox recipes that you can try as well. These contain herbs, such as milk thistle, dandelion root and fringe tree, as well as fruits and vegetables that are high in fiber.

A good functioning liver is vital for our health and well being, so it would be wise to try a liver detox recipe regularly, especially if you tend to over-indulge. Better still, try to avoid fatty, starchy food as much as possible, eat plenty of fresh fruit and veges and drink lots of filtered water every day. The more you stick to this simple plan, the happier and healthier your liver will be.

Pete Koerner asked:




Liver cleanses are the big rage in alternative health circles, but do they work and are they necessary? Certainly liver health is essential; but will a liver cleanse do the trick, or do you need to do something more? Even if you use a liver cleanse, there's always the likelihood that whatever you cleanse will return until you learn how to keep your liver clean and healthy without using a liver cleanse. Here's the easiest way to clean your liver and restore liver health; and it doesn't cost a dime.

The liver is the seat of anger and primitive emotions, according to ancient wisdom, Chinese medicine, and even cutting-edge medical systems. Authors like Louise Hay (Heal Your Body), Candace Pert (Molecules of Emotion), and Bruce Lipton (Biology of Belief), point to our ability to produce healing chemistry in our bodies, or not-so-beneficial chemistry - which breaks us down and leaves us vulnerable to illness, parasites, etc. The amazing thing is that we create these various biochemical states not with chemicals and foreign substances - but with our thoughts.

Indeed, we create our problems and our cures within our own minds; we simply need to understand which thoughts lead to illness and which thoughts lead to wellness - and pay attention to where we put our attention. Keeping your focus on positive thoughts will help you stay stress-free and healthy; and changing a thought, that caused a stress-related problem, can reverse the condition it caused almost immediately. Thanks to modern science, and researchers like Candace Pert, Louise Hay, and Bruce Lipton, and others, we actually know exactly what kinds of thoughts cause what kinds of problems; so we can easily create thought-patterns that address and correct the effects of our harmful or problematic thoughts.

Anger is a natural emotion; but our thoughts about anger, our thoughts that cause anger, and our beliefs and attitudes about anger, are often anything but normal and natural. When we get stuck thinking certain "anger-thoughts" - even at an unconscious level - we get stuck in the physical effects of that specific kind of thinking. Reprogramming, or re-patterning, our thoughts will change the way our health expresses itself in that particular area of our life. When we're talking about the liver and liver problems, then we're talking about anger and anger-thoughts.

Anger thoughts trigger the stress response, the release of specific hormones, and the generation of energy and activity in the liver - all of which has a weakening effect on the liver and immune system. If you have any problems at all with your liver, you may be able to restore health by simply running new programs, or thoughts, that turn-off the stress response, release more beneficial chemistry, and calm and soothe the liver - as well as making it too healthy a place to sustain parasites and other liver problem. Fearful thoughts, thoughts of rage or anger, hateful or prejudiced thinking, and constant complaining or fault-finding are operating behind most liver-problems - even if the person with the problem is not aware, or conscious, of their thoughts and behaviors.

According to many alternative health practitioners and researchers, the fix for liver problems could be as simple as repeating certain affirmations, or "corrective thought-patterns," to overwrite the problematic angry thoughts - essentially canceling them out and replacing the harmful effects of the angry thinking with the more healing and beneficial chemistry and effects of healthier thinking and thought-patterns. Louise Hay, in her book, "Heal Your Body," recommends several affirmations for liver health, including.
"Love, Peace, and Joy are what I know." "I choose to live through the open space in my heart. I look for love and find it everywhere." "My mind is cleansed and free. I leave the past and move into the new. All is well." "I feel tolerance, compassion, and love for all people - myself included." "There is joyous release of the past. Life is sweet and so am I."

To make the most out of this "mental liver cleanse," get yourself into a relaxed state before saying them - right before bed, and just after waking-up are naturally ideal times of the day for saying affirmations. Write these affirmations on a card; and keep them handy so you can say them and reflect on them as often as possible throughout the day. Repeat each affirmation three-times; and then go to sleep - or go on with the rest of your day, paying attention to anger, judgment, fault-finding, complaining, and all of the other thoughts and behaviors that have been shown to stress and weaken the liver. Drink plenty of water while you are doing any kind of cleanse - even a mental cleanse. And be patient with yourself as you go through this process. It could take days, or even two or three-weeks before you see definitive changes; but you will see changes as soon as you've replaced the anger with less-toxic thoughts.