Liver Disease Prevention

How to Cure Liver Disease Permanently and Naturally

2011-08-16T09:38:00.000+08:00

If you, or anyone you know has been diagnosed with Liver Disease, first it's important to know that can be healed and what the liver is responsible for. The liver is the only organ in your body that can regenerate itself.

Our Livers are responsible for:
• Digesting Food
• Eliminating Toxins, Chemicals, Heavy Metals, and Pollution in the Blood.
• Lowers Cholesterol and Brings it to Healthy Levels
• Heats our Bodies
• Burns and Regulates Excess Fat
• Regulates Carbohydrate and Protein Metabolism
• Digests All Sensory Input
• Regulates Blood Sugar Levels
• Regulates all Glands
• Stores the fat soluble vitamins, such as A, D, E, and K; assimilates calcium, and converts beta-carotene to vitamin A

Knowledge and understanding is the first and foremost step to curing any disease.
Second, you need to begin researching on what causes the liver to become diseased and then begin investigating the cause.

What Causes Liver Disease
There are many different factors on what pollutes the liver, and the truth it can be almost impossible to get away from it all in today's society. But there are a few things you can do that will make a huge difference in healing your liver.

Here's a few examples:
• Eating only processed foods, white flour and sugar, saturated fats, carbohydrates, and pure junk food
• Overeating
• Foods Containing Pesticides, Preservatives, Artificial Colors, Sweeteners, MSG, Aspartame, and Corn Syrup
• Excessive Use of Alcohol, Drugs, Tobacco, and other Pharmaceutical Drugs
• Pollution In The Air and Home
• Constant Sensory Input Overload

Curing Liver Disease
A lot of these can easily be limited if you begin to become aware and want to heal. You need to start thinking about what kinds of foods you're eating on a regular basis. Are they mostly junk foods? Or healthy foods such as green vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, etc..?

If you're eating mostly junk, processed foods such as stated above, there's a few things you can eliminate that will make a huge difference. The main culprits would be soda, meats, and fast food. All of these contain dangerous amounts of chemicals and toxins that just simply overload your liver when it tries to digest them.

Do you ever exercise?
Do you spend most of your free time in front of the TV?

TV's and other electronic devices are extremely hard on the liver because your liver not only digests foods, but also all sensory input. So if you're watching anything violent on television, that negative energy is going through your liver. Why not spend time in nature sitting next to a river or under a tree?

Next, you'll need to find yourself a high quality liver cleanse. Doing a cleanse is very simple and will flush out all the toxins and chemicals in your liver and give it a fresh start.

This is critical, and you don't need prescription drugs either. Do a liver cleanse and drink 8-10 glasses of water everyday. After, continue eating healthier and exercising.

I must also say I'm not a doctor or qualified professional, everything stated above is from my own experience and has helped myself, and many others in curing diseases naturally and safely.

SECRET BONUS TIP!
If you are serious about finding the best Liver Cleanse and curing Liver Disease: you need to do your research! Find the best natural liver cleanse that delivers on its promises and you will discover, like I did, that staying healthy, happy and vibrant is not as difficult as some would have you believe!
Visit http://www.colon-liver-cleanse.com to discover the exact secrets and lies I uncovered that prescription drug manufacturers do not want you to know about!

Vitamins For A Fatty Liver Disease Diet - The Controversy

2011-07-13T15:09:00.002+08:00

Vitamins for a fatty liver disease diet have been a topic of debate when it comes to the best way to reduce fat in your liver. Some vitamins and minerals are great for the liver in certain quantities, but can be extremely harmful in excess. Others can be beneficial and liver friendly, but they can harm other areas of the body. So which vitamins, minerals, and supplements, if any, should be taken along with a fatty liver diet?

Most experts agree certain vitamins and minerals are liver friendly and help to improve liver function. In her ebook, "Fatty Liver Diet Guide", veteran liver nurse, Dorothy Spencer, points out 6 such vitamins and minerals. These are:

Folate (folic acid) which improves liver function and can be found in foods like leafy vegetables and citrus fruits.
Vitamin B complexes (including thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, and cobalamine) which are involved in protein metabolism.
Vitamin K which aids in synthesizing prothrombin.
Manganese and selenium which help activate and/or speed up some of the enzymes needed for both fat and carbohydrate metabolism.
Sulfur which aids in the formation of B vitamins.
Vitamin C and vitamin E which are showing potential as fatty liver treatments due to their antioxidant capabilities which can slow hepatic cellular deterioration.

The important thing to remember when using vitamins and minerals as part of a diet for reducing FLD is that excessive consumption can be harmful not only to the liver, but also to other areas of the body. For example, vitamin K can cause liver damage in large amounts and excessive niacin (vitamin B3) can encourage the liver to digest more fat which adds to the problem for fatty liver patients.

Biotin should be avoided as it can increase the production of fatty acids. Likewise, too many amino acids can lead to other conditions, sometimes as severe as brain damage. It is not recommended to take supplements of vitamins A and vitamin D since these are often stored in fat deposits and, therefore, are in ample supply in a fat congested liver.

Most vitamins and minerals can be obtained in ample quantities through a diet plan consisting of specific fatty liver diet recipes aimed at improving liver function.

Next, for the rest of the (sometimes controversial) story about vitamins for a fatty liver disease diet, please visit: Fatty Liver Diet

If you really want to improve your health and stop FLD from progressing to Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), Cirrhosis, or worse, then gain access to liver-friendly diet recipes and learn how to reduce liver fat now by visiting: Fatty Liver Treatment

Fatty Liver Diet - Friend And Foe Foods To Reduce Fat In The Liver

2011-07-07T14:20:00.000+08:00

Without a nutrient-rich fatty liver diet in place, it can be extremely difficult to reduce the effects of steatosis and fatty liver disease (FDL). FDL is present in millions of people worldwide, particularly those who suffer from other conditions such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Although benign and asymptomatic in many patients, if the disease is not regulated and kept under control, it can progress into a life threatening ailment through cirrhosis, liver cancer, and eventually total liver failure.

The liver is an amazing organ with over 200 functions. It has often been called the body's "chemical factory" and is a built-in, natural filter. It is also a storehouse for fats, vitamins, and minerals and produces up to 24 oz of bile per day.

Bile is important in the emulsification of fat in the intestines. Emulsification refers to the process of breaking down large fat globules into smaller ones. The liver is also the only organ in the human body capable of regeneration. If it shuts down, death can occur within 24 hours.

Is Fat In The Liver Normal?

You may already know excess fat in the body is often stored in adipocytes (fat cells) in areas such as the belly and thighs. So why does fat get into the liver in the first place?

First, it is important to understand fat in the liver accumulates as triglycerides and not as adipocytes. It's perfectly normal for small amounts to show up and be stored in the liver. Reasons for this include:

1) Fat metabolism occurs mostly in the liver.
2) Under some circumstances, such as when a person experiences hypoglycemia, the liver will convert glycogen to fatty acids.
3) Fatty acids are converted into energy in the liver when stores of glucose (the main energy source for the body) run low.
4) Since fat is not water-soluble, lipoproteins carry fatty acids both from and to the liver to be processed.

With all these processes involving fat occurring in the liver, it only makes sense for some fat to be stored there. However, when fat makes up more than 5-10% of the liver by weight, a fatty liver occurs.

Diet plays a key role in reducing a fatty liver. Clearly the greatest foe is fat itself. Therefore, high fat foods should be avoided. Lean cuts of white meat, such as chicken and turkey, should replace fried and/or dark meats such as beef. Alcohol, as well as high sugar fruit juices and energy drinks, should be avoided.

Instead, try to focus a fatty liver diet plan on liver friendly foods such as fruits and vegetables (greens, leaves, and vitamin C rich foods) and complex carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates break down slowly, giving the body a slow, steady source of energy.

Simple carbohydrates, like those found in sweets, should be avoided because they break down quickly and are used rapidly by the body. When the body uses these carbohydrates too fast, it then switches to converting protein to energy which can be taxing for the liver. Protein is better used for producing hemoglobin, an important blood component that takes oxygen to cells throughout the body.

Next, now is the time to formulate the best diet plan for reducing a fatty liver: Fatty Liver Diet

If you really want to improve your health and stop FLD from progressing to Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), Cirrhosis, or worse, then learn how to reduce liver fat now by visiting: Diet Plan For Fatty Liver

Natural Cure For Liver Disease

2011-07-05T16:25:00.000+08:00

One of the greatest abilities of the Liver is that it can regenerate itself. This should provide a great deal of hope for anyone suffering from liver disease. There are a few things that you need to do in order to turn your scarred liver into a brand new healthy liver. Follow the steps below:

Start consuming Dandelion (that plant that probably grows all around your home). The leaves of the Dandelion plant can be picked, washed, and mixed in with your salads. But you can also find Dandelion tinctures or other forms of Dandelion extracts at your local health food store. Dandelion is extremely useful for the health of the liver and related organs and glands. (Note that a poorly functioning liver will only bring DOWN the function of other organs and glands). It has been used to successfully treat liver disease, such as hepatitis and liver insufficiency.

If you only had one choice for picking a natural cure for liver disease it should be Milk Thistle Seed Extract (...fortunately you have more than one choice, so why not use all of them, it will only speed up your healing). There are a few reasons why Milk Thistle Seed Extract (also referred to as "Mte") is beneficial to the liver and liver regeneration. Firstly, it protects the liver from toxins. Toxins, like Alcohol (the number one cause of Cirrhosis), compete against Mte for space on the cell membrane of the liver...except they always lose against the much stronger Mte. If your liver has Mte (milk thistle seed extract) all around itself, therefore preventing harmful toxins from destroying the liver, then the liver actually has time to regenerate. Also, Mte increase protein synthesis, which means that it speeds up the regeneration of destroyed liver tissue.

Another huge benefit of Milk Thistle Seed Extract is its interference with the enterohepatic circulation. Now, you might be wondering what the enterohepatic circulation is? Toxins are constantly being cycled back in forth between the gastrointestinal tract and the liver. Each time the toxins pass by the liver, the liver gets damaged. However, Mte interrupts the first absorption of toxins and then it helps prevent the re-absorption when the toxins are recycled. Cells that are not yet poisoned are therefore protected and become sites for new liver cell growth. In time a full restoration of the liver can be achieved.

I don't want to sound repetitive so all I'm going to say about Artichoke is that it has the same healing properties as Milk Thistle. That being said I would use both Milk Thistle Seed Extract and Artichoke extract to heal my liver (along with a regular consumption of Dandelion extract). The human liver will regenerate itself, by using the above mentioned natural healers we can restore our livers faster. Don't give in to taking pharmaceutical drugs they cause way too much damage to the liver, even if they are meant to heal your liver. Use natural cures and you will heal your liver faster, safer, and cheaper.

There are many other ways to speed up the recovery of your liver. Things like Acupuncture, Acupressure, Reflexology, Magnet Therapy, Essential Oils, Homeopathic Medicine, Home Remedies, Healing Crystals, and other Healing Herbs can all be used simultaneously to increase the restoration of the liver.

If you are interested in more information on natural healing check out The Green Book Of Health it is a great reference manual for natural healing. You don't need a phd or years of experience to use it. For the first time all forms of natural healing have been brought together to help cure over 60 common ailments. The book is on sale right now, click here for more information

Fatty Liver Disease Diet Tips - How To Reduce Liver Fat By Watching What You Eat

2011-07-02T21:46:00.001+08:00

A good fatty liver disease diet can be implemented to stop and/or reverse excessive fat in the liver without keeping you from enjoying many of the foods you love. Like a healthy diet for the average person, moderation and balance are the keys.

Although you will need to find more healthy alternatives for some of the things you eat and keep a closer eye on your food consumption, you'll still find a multitude of delicious liver friendly recipes to satisfy your taste buds.

Fatty liver disease (FLD) generally falls into one of two categories based on its cause. When alcohol consumption is the main culprit of excess fat in the liver, the disease is classified as alcoholic fatty liver (AFL). If other factors such as a high fat diet, obesity, diabetes milletus, metabolic disorders, hyperlipidemia, or hypertension are the culprit, then the disease is classified as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

AFL is generally considered easier to treat because of its singular cause. Often asymptomatic and benign in early stages, both types can become fatal in the form of cirrhosis, liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and total liver failure if left unchecked.

However, when caught early, simple changes in diet and exercise aimed at losing weight is often all that is needed to slow or even reverse the condition. Fat reduction and weight loss must be done gradually to keep the body from going into an internal state similar to starvation.

When this happens, the body makes up for the lost fat by rapidly producing fatty acids which worsens fatty liver. This is why drastic measures of weight loss such as gastric bypass surgery are not often recommended for FLD patients.

A diet plan for fatty liver should focus on reducing fat consumption to no more than 20-30% of the daily caloric intake. This means if you're eating a 1500 calorie diet, then no more than 450 of those calories should come from fats, especially saturated fats. Replace high fat foods with high fiber foods.

The main energy source for FLD patients should come from complex carbohydrates such as those found in brown rice and pasta. These should make up approximately 60-70% of the overall diet. In our example above, this means 900-1050 of the 1500 calorie diet should come from complex carbohydrates.

Avoid foods containing only simple carbohydrates. These are found in things like candy and other sweets. Simple carbohydrates break down quickly and are used too fast by the body. Once these carbohydrates are used up, the body starts feeling starved and fatty acid production starts to take place in the liver. As we mentioned earlier, this is an undesirable condition for fatty liver disease patients.

Next, now is the time to formulate the best diet plan for reducing a fatty liver: Fatty Liver Disease Diet

If you really want to improve your health and stop FLD from progressing to Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), Cirrhosis, or worse, then learn how to reduce liver fat now by visiting: Diet For Fatty Liver

All you need to know about the Liver Cleanse

2010-11-08T12:39:00.000+08:00

Why liver cleanse? “Fatty Liver” affects more than 50% of people over the age of 50 (healingdaily.com). Poor diet, excessive alcohol intake, viral hepatitis and reactions to toxic chemicals are a few of the causes. Tina Drucker, decided to test the cleanse. Stay tuned for her updates this week…

How to cleanse your liver:

1)??? Choose a day like Saturday for the cleanse, since you will be able to rest the next day.

2)??? Don’t take medicines, vitamins, or pills that you can do without (they can prevent success).

3)??? Eat a low-fat breakfast and lunch such as cooked cereal with fruit, fruit juice, bread, baked potato or other vegetables with salt only.? This allows the bile to build up and develop pressure in the liver.? Higher pressure pushes our more stones.

4)??? 2:00 PM – Do not eat or drink after 2:00.? If you break the rule you could feel quite ill later.? You may add 1/8 teaspoon vitamin C powder to the Epsom salt mixtures below to improve the taste.? Don’t deviate from the schedule below by more than 10 minutes.

5)??? Every hour, starting at 5:00 PM (i.e. 5:00, 6:00, 7:00, act.) until you have diarrhea – Drink ? cup cold water with 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt.?

6)??? 9:45 PM – Be ready for bed, make one last trip to the bathroom.? Combine ? to ? cup of freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice and ? olive oil in a jar.? Close the jar tightly with the lid and shake hard until watery (only fresh grapefruit juice does this).

7)????10:00 PM – Drink grapefruit juice and olive oil mixture.? You may take 4-8 Ornithine with the first sip of the mixture to help you sleep.? Ornithine (L-Ornithine) can be found at a health food store.? Then lie down in your bed immediately.? The sooner you lie down the more stones you will get out.? Lie down flat on your back with your head high on the pillow, perfectly still for at least 20 minutes.? Try to think about what is happening in the liver.? You may feel a train of stones traveling along the bile ducts like marbles.? There is no pain because the bile duct valves are open (thanks to the Epsom salt).? Go to sleep.? You may fail to get stones out if you don’t.

8)????After 6:00 AM the next morning – Drink ? cup cold water with 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt.? If you have indigestion or nausea wait until it is gone before drinking mixture.? You may go back to bed.

9)????2 hours later – Drink ? cup cold water with 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt.? You may go back to bed.

10)? 2 more hours later – Drink fruit juice.

11)? ? hour later – Eat fruit.

12)? 1 hour later – You may eat regular food but keep it light.? By supper you should feel recovered.

Expect diarrhea in the morning consisting of green pea looking balls (cholesterol) and tan looking chalk (crystals) floating in the toilet.? You may repeat cleanses in two week intervals.? Never cleanse when you are ill.? The author cleansed 5-6 times then once every 6 months for life.?? He recommends eliminating most meats, especially red meat, fast food and fried foods totally.?? But consuming more fruits, fruit juices and vegetable juicing.

Tags: healthy cleanse, Fatty Liver, healthy detox, natural detox, liver cleanse

This entry was posted on June 14, 2010 at 3:43 pm and is filed under Fatty Liver, Healthy detox, Liver cleanse, healthy cleanse, natural detox. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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Fatty Liver Disease - what you need to know

2010-11-04T11:44:00.001+08:00

Fatty Liver disease is something my daughter was diagnosed with at the age of 11. In the 2 years since she has had the disease I have learned a lot. Unfortunately I have learned NOTHING from doctors. They do not understand this disease and they basically pat the patient on the head and tell them to lose weight and exercise and everything will? be ok. My daughter has tried and has not been successful and I now know that is because when your liver is not functioning correctly nothing internally is functioning right.

I am now driven to start a movement regarding this disease. Education of the general population is key. We think of sick livers being caused by alcohol or sharing dirty needles, we do not think of it associated to the ice cream cone we enjoyed at baskin robbins!

This disease has been diagnosed in children as young as 4, that is very scary, my 13 year old has a chronic illness and that is scary! These are CHILDREN, chronic illness is for the middle aged folks, the elderly even!! If its showing up in our kids our world is in serious trouble and we need to change things NOW!!

Feed your children organic foods, fresh fruits , fresh veggies, get your meat from a butcher , go back to basics please! No more convenience foods filled with chemicals…if you don’t understand what is on the side of the label why are you eating it!

I have approached the Canadian Liver Foundation about starting a sister foundation dedicated to Fatty Liver disease. I truly believe this will be as big as diabetes in the next 20 years and that a lot of us have it already without major symptoms. Once the major symptoms are showing up , you have damaged your liver and your goal is to prevent further deterioration! The next time you have a blood test ask to have your AST and ALT? levels checked, even if you are skinny on the outside you may be fat on the inside, so do not take it for granted that this is only a disease of the obese!

The sooner you find out about the condition of the liver , the easier it is to resolve with diet and exercise.

Hugs….and nope did not get that job from last week …but may have found my calling instead!

See my support group in facebook to understand this even further!

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=40124237301

Michelle

Posted in Megan's Health Battle, fatty liver, gethealthywithmichelle, weight loss | Tagged toxins, nutrition, lifestyle, nafld, fatty liver, nash | Leave a Comment

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Fatty Liver Matters

2010-10-19T18:37:00.001+08:00

Please tell me you already knew this.

People with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition that often accompanies obesity and type 2 diabetes, have higher mortality rates than the general population, a new Swedish study found.
Patients with NAFLD were 69% percent more likely to die than the general Swedish population (standardized mortality ratio 1.69, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.25), according to a report in the February issue of Hepatology.
Patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a condition where fat buildup causes liver inflammation, were at 86% higher risk (95% CI 1.19 to 2.76; P=0.007).

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Vitamin E Beneficial to patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver

2010-10-17T01:14:00.000+08:00

A new study (PIVENS?trial) indicated that patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver might benefits?from natural form of vitamin E (800 IU/day), but not from pioglitazone?(Actos).??

Nonalcoholic fatty liver or Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) currently affects about 4% of the American population and there is no approved therapy.? About 15% of patients with NASH progress to cirrhosis and patients with NASH experience fatty liver disease, insulin resistance, and obesity.

The new study is a multicenter?trial involving 247 nondiabetic adults with biopsy-proven NASH. Patients were allocated to the following 3 arms:?

80 patients to the insulin-sensitizer?pioglitazone?(Actos) (30 mg once daily)84 patients to vitamin E (800 IU/day)83 patients to placebo?

After 96 weeks, patients in the vitamin E therapy arm was associated with a significantly higher rate of improvement in NASH when compared with placebo (43% vs 19%; P = .001; number needed to treat, 4.2).

However, the difference in the rate of NASH improvement with pioglitazone?compared with placebo did not reach the prespecified 0.025 level of significance (34% vs. 19%; P?= .04; number needed to treat, 6.9).? Even though the pioglitazone?arm did not reach the statistical endpoint, pioglitazone still improve the histology in half of the NASH patients.?

Despite the positive results, the investigator, Dr. Harrison, still emphasized the importance of treating the causes (obesity, prediabetes and frank diabetes).?

In addition to prescribing vitamin E 800 IU/day, Dr. Harrison still aims to reduce patient’s weight (ideally 10% reduction) with diet and exercise up front.? Only in patients who are not able to lose the weight and with advanced disease will he then consider prescribing pioglitazone.

Published online in the April 28, 2010 issue of ?N Engl J Med.

Please visit us at healthreason.com for more health related articles.

Filed under: Fatty Liver | Tagged: vitamin E, Fatty Liver, pioglitazone, Actos, NASH

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The Strong Silent Type

2010-10-16T22:09:00.000+08:00

June 16, 2010 by gethealthywithme

Well silent I am not , but who knows what my liver might be thinking. The liver is the workhorse in our bodies, it filters out all the toxins we put in via drugs, alcohol, chemicals in processed foods and even the air we breathe…it all stops at the liver first.

If our liver is working well it will get rid of those toxins and the rest of your organs will be handed less work to do and everything inside us is happy!!

However when the liver starts to fail, it will not scream and yell at you, it will keep working to the best of its abilities , it won’t clean out as many toxins , but heck your other organs can handle them! They have had it easy for so many years…thanks to your liver.

Other charities get lots of funding from drug companies, not the liver foundation…the reason for that is pretty clear from my perspective. Drugs don’t help the liver in general. The liver needs to be treated with tender loving care by its owner, its really the only way to lessen the work and allow it to heal itself.? So why would drug companies throw money behind a charity that it can’t count on making money from!

The other huge problem for the Liver Foundation is the general public’s view of liver disease. We associate liver issues with someone who is an alcoholic, drug addict, tattoo parloured partier who is always having unprotected sex!

As long as we are NOT that person….we should be fine right! WRONG so completely wrong, but until your liver is badly damaged it will not complain…picture it as Donkey in winnie the pooh….just trudging along through life hoping someone will notice him!

I am involved in 2 different charity events for the liver foundation in the Toronto area this weekend and I hope you will stop by and show your support!

Friday I will be at Union Station for the morning rush hour and the afternoon rush collecting money for The Canadian Liver Foundation and again on Father’s day at Boston Pizza in Brampton at 410 and Steeles. Bring your dad for lunch and help a great cause with me!

for my daughters sake and for someone you love who doesn’t yet know they have liver disease!

Hugs

Michelle Clermont

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It's Liver-Lover, Boy!

2010-10-16T17:44:00.000+08:00

In November 2009, I was diagnosed with hypertension stage 2; fatty liver and gallbladder polyp vs. cholesterolosis. I was sent home twice by our company doctor due to a blood pressure of around 180/120. I had abdominal ultrasound, lipid profile and other blood tests. My cardiologist also ordered an ECG just to rule out any heart ailment.

The results are shocking. My SGPT, SGOT and cholesterol levels are on high levels (but not high enough to suspect hep, I suppose). My gastro reassured me that despite the numbers, there’s nothing to worry about. He gave me Combizar, Norvasc and Lipanthyl and asked me to stay on medication until he tells me to stop, if ever he does.

Then in January 2010, I repeated the ultrasound and the blood chem. The SGPT and SGOT levels dropped a bit. Then about yesterday, I decided to repeat the tests. The levels dropped but my SGPT is still about twice the maximum level.

Our doctor said it’s okay as long as the numbers do not show an increase of 3 or 4 times. My blood pressure seems to be under control already.

About 4 hours from now, I am about to have another ultrasound test and I am really praying hard for the results to be favorable. I hope that there is nothing irreversibly wrong with my health.

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Why Alternative Medicine is Finally Becoming a More Used and Accepted Practice in the US

2010-10-16T14:39:00.001+08:00

When most Americans think of medicine they think of visiting the family doctor when they are sick and then sometimes being prescribed a medicine for whatever is making them sick . This is changing and the medicinal benefits from Eastern therapies are now being used more widely in this country. holistic nutrition and therapies , acupuncture, massage therapy, vegetarian and vegan diets and taking Garden of Life Perfect supplements are all things that people are trying to live a healthier life.

Because traditional doctors have been giving antibiotics for so long to their patients when they get ill , they have become essentially ineffective to many people and are proving to not help at all due to the immunity to the medicine that many have built up . Due to this and the emerging presence of alternative practices popping up all over in addition to being supported by some traditional doctors, people are considering it to help them to feel better.

Eastern influenced therapies have been around for thousands of years, much longer than Western medicine but due to the fact that it is different to many westerners they are scared to try it. Acupuncture has been a long time effective method in eliminating severe allergies in patients and now a lot of people that used to have to have weekly allergy shots and take a lot of medicine that left them groggy are now free and clear of lifetime allergies after many acupuncture sessions. The needles are very tiny and can not be felt when administered and often acupressure is used in younger patients instead of the needles to reach the pressure points.

Massage therapy is a additional alternative therapy to acupressure and one that is becoming more accepted as a wonderful healing option . Many people are now becoming aware that massage is not just a pampering spa treatment but one that can relieve a variety of ailments like headaches, fatigue, back pain, and sleep disorders. A regular Swedish massage also helps patients suffering from illnesses like multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis and other neurological ailments .

Holistic treatments and vitamins have also gained acceptance throughout America and are not only being favored by naturalists but also by Western doctors too . They have witnessed with the resistance that a lot of their patients are experiencing to antibiotics that many times the holistic alternatives are the treatment and the cure that they need. The Western States are farther along in their acceptance and use of all of these alternatives than the East, South and Midwest but it is slowly making its way across the United States and hopefully it will continue to be practiced and accepted as people realize it is a valid treatment and not some kind of hocus pocus .

Changes in what you eat are also becoming another part of holistic wellness. Many naturalists now know that a diet full of fruits and vegetables is a much healthier way to live and one that eliminates processed foods will help you avoid getting sick as often .

Tags: acupuncture, alternative medicine, alternative practices, Eastern influenced therapies, holistic, live a healthier life, massage therapy

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Vitamin E and Fatty Liver

2010-10-14T21:26:00.000+08:00

Treating Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver: Pioglitazone or Vitamin E?

Vitamin E is superior to placebo in treating nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, according to a New England Journal of Medicine study. Pioglitazone, although showing some efficacy, did not achieve statistically significant results.

Researchers, pursuing earlier findings that thiazolidinediones and antioxidants can lead to improvements in fatty liver, randomized some 250 nondiabetic patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis to 2 years’ treatment with either pioglitazone, vitamin E, or placebo. Improved histologic findings were the study’s primary outcome.

Liver biopsies showed that vitamin E recipients had a higher rate of improvement than those on placebo (43% vs. 19%). The improvement among pioglitazone recipients versus placebo did not reach statistical significance (34% vs. 19%). Both treatments reduced alanine and aspartate aminotransferase levels significantly from baseline values.

To view article, click? HERE

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Why You Want To Make Your Liver Your New Best Friend

2010-10-14T16:27:00.000+08:00

The liver is one of the most important organs in the body. It is the largest internal organ and weighs about 1,5 kilos (3-4 pounds). It lies directly underneath the diaphragm, underneath the right ribcage.

What is the liver supposed to do in your body?

The liver has many tasks to complete, and is working hard to keep your systems balanced. The main functions are:

1. Your liver secretes almost 1 litre of bile every day.

Let’s start to talk about the importance of secretion of bile. Your body needs a lot of bile on a daily basis to be able to stay healthy. Basically, almost all health problems are a direct or indirect consequence of reduced bile availability. Bile is a bitter, alkaline fluid of a yellow, brown, or green colour. It is produced by the liver, but is stored and concentrated in the gallbladder.

The bile has multiple functions:

Assisting with the digestion of fat, calcium, and protein foods.Maintaining normal fat levels in the blood,Removing toxins from the liver,Maintaining proper acid/alkaline balance in the intestinal tract.Helping colon from breeding harmful microbes.

2. Your liver stores your blood.

A second function of the liver is to store the blood. During periods of activity the blood travels to your extremities so that you can move. When you are resting the blood goes to the liver where your blood is processed and purified.

However, if your liver is stagnant and not able to store the blood properly your extremities will not be nourished, and toxins might be released through the skin.

To help your liver cleanse your blood, I recommend that you don’t eat too much, and that your last meal is in the afternoon. By avoiding late meals you will allow your liver and gallbladder time to prepare for regeneration, which is most efficient between 11pm and 3am.

3. Your liver detoxifies your cells.

Many poisonous substances enter the blood. They then circulate to the liver, where they can be transformed into non-toxic substances. A common example is alcohol. As soon as you drink alcohol it will enter your bloodstream, and go to your liver for detoxification. Without a functioning liver all of the toxins would accumulate and cause serious problems to your health.

4. Your liver helps metabolism in your body.

Your liver plays a major role in breaking down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.

5. Your liver stores several substances, such as: iron, vitamins A, B12, and D.

Both vitamins and minerals play a huge part in your well being. However, they are only beneficial when taken in the proper amounts and ratios. For you to make best use of these vitamins and minerals your liver has the ability to store some for later use.

Bear in mind that your liver can only store fat-soluble vitamins, so all the water-soluble vitamins must still be supplied in your diet on a regular basis. (For example Vitamin C)

6. Your liver destroys old blood cells.

Red blood cells usually live for about 3 months. They then often break apart as they age, and the liver helps to ingest and destroy these blood cells, which helps keep your blood clean.

7. Your liver is in charge of your body’s planning.

The liver is said to be the “planner” in your body, and the gallbladder is the “decision maker”. This means that your ability to organise, plan and make decisions is related to the well being of these organs.

Is this how it works for most people?

Unfortunately not.

The liver is probably the most congested of all organs today. The way we eat, drink and constantly stress causes our livers to always work over time.

Our livers are usually victims for many kinds of excesses – the most common one being excess of food. As a society we eat way too much, especially rich and greasy food. This makes the liver swollen and sluggish. It just doesn’t have enough time to process everything we put into our body. The liver becomes tired and fatty, and the energy stagnates in the liver instead of being properly distributed around the body.

If the liver never rests from a state of congestion, neither does the kidneys, and eventually even the kidneys functions will weaken. A fatty liver also affects the blood, the pancreas, and the stomach. In other words, a weak liver can cause ulcers, abdominal inflammations, diabetes, gas and indigestion in general. Finally, most cases of heart disease are related to liver stagnation.

In fact, the origin of most diseases can easily be traced to the liver.

Did you know that your liver has a close relationship with your emotions?

One of the first signs of a stagnant liver is difficulty in dealing with anger. A sluggish liver can be expressed by anger, impatience, frustration, violence, rudeness, arrogance, stubbornness, aggression and an explosive personality. All of these emotions can cause depression. Mood swings in general are usually related to the liver.

Having too many desires can also stimulate a person to over-eat, or to just make inappropriate choices regarding food. It can be desires for sex, fame, power, or money. But these desires can take over your life and can blind your judgement. Desires like these aren’t healthy and can greatly damage your liver function. I’m not implying that you shouldn’t have dreams and goals. Not at all. But your dreams should come from your heart. Greed and power, on the contrary, are just based on insecurities.

Unresolved emotional issues are actually stored physically in the liver. Imagine what this can do to your health. Releasing emotional blockages, and letting go, releases the energy in the liver. This is why it is so important to express your feelings. Carrying something around with you will cause serious issues to your liver after only 2 years. Just know that those feelings you carry around don’t do you any good. You don’t need them for anything.

Just let go.

So how does this affect you?

Your? liver actually has direct control over the growth and functioning of every cell in your body. Any kind of malfunction, deficiency, or abnormal growth pattern of the cell is largely due to poor liver performance. Think about this for a second.

What does that really mean? It means that if you strive to look after your liver, and give your liver everything it needs to function properly, you have a much higher chance to get well again, or to avoid diseases coming into your life.

Are you suffering from any of the common symptoms of a weak liver?

Difficulties with planningNervousnessTimidityLack of courage and initiativeHeadachesRepressed angerEmotional outburstsDepressionMoodinessFeeling emotionally overwhelmed and over-sensitiveUpset digestionAllergiesNauseaVomitingTirednessDry skinMuscular weakness and spasmsPins and needlesDry and brittle nailsPoor sleepPre menstrual tensionPeriod pain

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All you need to know about the Liver Cleanse

2010-10-14T12:16:00.000+08:00

How to cleanse your liver:

1)??? Choose a day like Saturday for the cleanse, since you will be able to rest the next day.

2)??? Don’t take medicines, vitamins, or pills that you can do without (they can prevent success).

5)??? Every hour, starting at 5:00 PM (i.e. 5:00, 6:00, 7:00, act.) until you have diarrhea – Drink ? cup cold water with 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt.?

9)????2 hours later – Drink ? cup cold water with 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt.? You may go back to bed.

10)? 2 more hours later – Drink fruit juice.

11)? ? hour later – Eat fruit.

12)? 1 hour later – You may eat regular food but keep it light.? By supper you should feel recovered.

Tags: healthy cleanse, Fatty Liver, healthy detox, natural detox, liver cleanse

View the original article here

Fatty Liver Disease - what you need to know

2010-10-14T07:37:00.000+08:00

April 21, 2010 by gethealthywithme

The sooner you find out about the condition of the liver , the easier it is to resolve with diet and exercise.

Hugs….and nope did not get that job from last week …but may have found my calling instead!

See my support group in facebook to understand this even further!

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=40124237301

Michelle

Posted in Megan's Health Battle, fatty liver, gethealthywithmichelle, weight loss | Tagged toxins, nutrition, lifestyle, nafld, fatty liver, nash | Leave a Comment

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Fatty Liver Matters

2010-10-14T02:57:00.000+08:00

Please tell me you already knew this.

People with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition that often accompanies obesity and type 2 diabetes, have higher mortality rates than the general population, a new Swedish study found.
Patients with NAFLD were 69% percent more likely to die than the general Swedish population (standardized mortality ratio 1.69, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.25), according to a report in the February issue of Hepatology.
Patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a condition where fat buildup causes liver inflammation, were at 86% higher risk (95% CI 1.19 to 2.76; P=0.007).

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Vitamin E and Fatty Liver

2010-10-13T23:24:00.000+08:00

Treating Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver: Pioglitazone or Vitamin E?

To view article, click? HERE

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Why You Want To Make Your Liver Your New Best Friend

2010-10-13T19:53:00.000+08:00

Jump to Comments

What is the liver supposed to do in your body?

The liver has many tasks to complete, and is working hard to keep your systems balanced. The main functions are:

1. Your liver secretes almost 1 litre of bile every day.

The bile has multiple functions:

2. Your liver stores your blood.

However, if your liver is stagnant and not able to store the blood properly your extremities will not be nourished, and toxins might be released through the skin.

3. Your liver detoxifies your cells.

4. Your liver helps metabolism in your body.

Your liver plays a major role in breaking down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.

5. Your liver stores several substances, such as: iron, vitamins A, B12, and D.

Bear in mind that your liver can only store fat-soluble vitamins, so all the water-soluble vitamins must still be supplied in your diet on a regular basis. (For example Vitamin C)

6. Your liver destroys old blood cells.

Red blood cells usually live for about 3 months. They then often break apart as they age, and the liver helps to ingest and destroy these blood cells, which helps keep your blood clean.

7. Your liver is in charge of your body’s planning.

Is this how it works for most people?

Unfortunately not.

The liver is probably the most congested of all organs today. The way we eat, drink and constantly stress causes our livers to always work over time.

In fact, the origin of most diseases can easily be traced to the liver.

Did you know that your liver has a close relationship with your emotions?

Just let go.

So how does this affect you?

Are you suffering from any of the common symptoms of a weak liver?

View the original article here

Dr. Sandra Cabot - Free Seminar / Phoenix, Arizona

2010-10-13T15:35:00.001+08:00

Hello, my name is Dr Sandra Cabot. Many of you will know me from my famous book, titled "The Liver Cleansing Diet" which literally shot to fame like a shining meteorite during 1997. It made me a household name in Australian kitchens, and brought liver consciousness to hundreds of thousands of people in a short space of time. People from all walks of life and in many different states of health embraced this new and simple way of eating with a passion, that surprised me as well as many others.

There are thousands of diet books on the market and yet this one was different because it concentrated on just one bodily organ, namely the liver, which everyone seemed to relate to, because everyone has a liver. Perhaps its success related to the fact that when one improves the liver function through simple dietary habits it is possible to achieve many health benefits, especially weight control and internal cleansing of the body. It was incredible because everyone seemed to be having a love affair with his or her liver. People who had struggled for years with excessive weight and/or chronic health problems found that the liver was the missing part in the jig-saw puzzle to achieve good health.

From that point, word of mouth took over and successful followers of my liver friendly way of eating told others to follow the Liver-Cleansing-Diet and watched with interest to see its results. This produced a wave of social and economic effects. Australia sold out of linseeds (flaxseeds) and for a while they had to be imported; health food stores had to knock down walls to create more space and the health food industry enjoyed a resurgence in the production and sales of liver cleansing foods. I became known as the "Liver Doctor" which was interesting as my background had been in the area of women's health and hormone replacement therapy. My face became well known, so much so that I would find myself recognized in far-away and remote places.

I well remember being in a public toilet at 5am in the morning, at a place called Three Ways, on the highway between Alice Springs and Darwin in northern Australia where I was instantly and warmly welcomed by a woman who had been successful on my Liver-Cleansing-Diet. She enthusiastically told me how much weight she had lost and how much she enjoyed my media appearances. Yes, one of the benefits of being a successful author is that one has a ready-made network of friends all over the world.

There has been the occasional person who did not understand my theories on the liver, and in particular one reader thought it was impossible to cleanse the liver, believing that this was unscientific! However, it is vitally important to cleanse the liver regularly because, like any filter, it can become overloaded and blocked with excessive waste products. Just think about what happens if you do not cleanse the filters in your kitchen sink, lawn mower, pool-pump or car engine. It would be easy if you could remove your liver everyday and give it a good wash with soap and water! This is obviously not possible, so we need to come up with a more practical solution. I have found that an effective way to cleanse the liver filter is by eating certain foods and using natural supplements and liver tonics. These nutrients include anti-oxidants, essential fatty acids, essential amino acids, enzymes, natural antibiotics and plant substances (phytonutrients). These nutrients also exert an anti-cancer effect and help the immune system.

This website will provide a wealth of information, advice and recommendations on how you can improve your liver function using powerful nutritional strategies. For some of you this will be literally life saving, for others it will allow you to improve your health, regain physical and mental energy and regain your zest for life!

Love Your Liver & Live Longer!

From our founder and health guru Dr Sandra Cabot, making sure that all that knowledge is presented in a coherent and easy to understand manner, here is?her super team of people who want to teach you about good health and how to maintain it for the rest of your life. If you have a question relating to your health or have a problem that's not addressed on this website, why not send us an e-mail.

Christine Ki is Dr Sandra Cabot's natural therapist in Phoenix Arizona. She is available by telephone from Dr Cabot's Health Advisory Service.?Christine will educate you about the hidden causes of weight excess, how to have a healthy liver, hormonal imbalances and much more. Christine is inspiring, fun and full of abundance; she will have plenty of time to answer all your questions.

To keep up-to-date with Dr Cabot's worldwide travel schedule or to book or organize a seminar, please email christine@scbintl.com or CONTACT US

View the original article here

Decompensated Liver Due To Hepatitic C Virus

2009-07-06T13:33:00.000+08:00

Q. My mother is 55 years old and suffering from decompensated liver due to hepatitic C virus. she has had 4 episodes of hepatic encephalopathy (3 minor and 1 major due to spontaneous bacterial peritonitis). She has had ascites since that episode. She was diagnosed with Hep C and compensated cirrhosis 2 years ago - she took Interferon but that did not prove effective. Now she has developed caries spine (TB). She is on second line drugs for 4 months which is not proving effective in eradicating the TB virus. Her current results are bilirubin 3.4, ALT 29, PT 14, albumin 1.9, ESR 108, platelets 47.

a) under this condition what would you advise us to do?

b) can she undergo transplant whilst she is on TB (tuberculosis) treatment?

c) would you suggest adding first line drugs for TB (that is rifampicin, pyrazinamide, isoniazid) - she took rifampicin but her bilirubin shot up to 6, so we discontinued.

d) also will hepatitis C re-infect the transplanted liver and if so how long on average does that take? I have heard re-infected hepatitis

C virus is more aggressive and damages the liver causing cirrhosis rapidly

e) I've heard that there are drugs for cirrhosis which are under trials - do you know at what stage these are?

A. a) Your mother has decompensated liver cirrhosis from hepatitis C and requires a liver transplant. Interferon treatment would not be tolerated in this situation. Medical treatment alone would not be adequate in the long run.

b) Yes - she can undergo the transplant on TB treatment if the TB is not active.

c) The use of anti-TB medication is difficult in patients with liver cirrhosis. Do you have the culture results of the TB? This will help the choice of medication. Second line medication may be needed if the first line medication cannot be tolerated.

d) Hepatitis C is likely to re-infect the new liver but treatment can be given after the liver transplant and is usually quite effective. In a very small group of patients, one can have a rapidly recurring form of hepatitis C but this is unusual.

e) There are currently no effective drugs that will treat cirrhosis specifically. Treatment is usually directed at the underlying cause of the liver disease. At the end of the day, we would need to assess the patient before giving you a final result.

My Mother Was Diagnosed With Hepatocellular Carcinoma

2009-05-31T12:01:00.001+08:00

Q. My mother was diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma in 2007. This diagnosis was based on a recent MRI scan which revealed a large tumour (around 8cm) that extends from the capsule surface right down to the porta hepatis.

The appearance was typical of HCC and there was also evidence of recent haemorrhage within the tumour. AFT levels exceeded 2000ng/ml. Prior to the diagnosis, her health has deteriorated rapidly; she was experiencing severe right upper quadrant pain which radiated to her back and kept her awake at night.

She was also diagnosed with chronic Hepatitis C in 2001. Although interferon/ ribavirin dual therapy was commenced in 2002, it was ineffective. Cirrhosis was diagnosed after a liver biopsy. There is no concurrent problem to note and her health was good until late August 2007. We were informed that curative treatment was not an option as the tumour did not fulfil the Milan criteria for resection, chemotherapy would not be efficacious, and the tumour was too large for radiofrequency ablation. The last option presented was chemoembolisation.

Unfortunately her liver function was poor, she was in Child Pugh group C, and this treatment can only be given to those in Child Pugh group A or B as the risk of adversity in these groups is low. The only feasible option given was palliation and letting the disease progress and take its natural course but this is not acceptable to us. If there is no evidence of extra-hepatic spread of the cancer, would a transplant be possible?

A. It is an extremely difficult decision to decide on the best treatment for a patient with a large HCC and decompensated liver disease. You are quite right in thinking that currently, there is no curative treatment for such a condition except for liver transplantation which would treat her liver cancer together with her decompensating liver cirrhosis.

In many centres, due to acute shortage of cadaveric donor livers, patients with liver cancer beyond the Milan criteria are not transplanted. However, there are centres such as ours where living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is widely practiced and often patients with large tumour, way beyond Milan criteria but with no extra-hepatic metastastes and also no large venous involvement such as the large hepatic veins and the main portal vein, are being transplanted successfully. The majority of patients transplanted in Asia using LDLT are beyond the Milan criteria as there is no other alternative treatment.

The 3 year survival rate for this group has ranged from 25-40% and it is well known that for patients who have survived the 3 years are likely to continue living beyond this period as the recurrence rate decreases markedly after the first 12-18 months. The main constraint to LDLT is, of course, the availability of a suitable donor.

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Testing

2009-05-27T11:53:00.001+08:00

HBV is transmitted through infected body fluids, including blood, semen, and vaginal fluids (including menstrual blood). It also can be transmitted from a pregnant woman to her child at or near the time of birth.

There are several different HBV tests. These are the HBV tests most commonly done:

* Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is the earliest indicator of an active hepatitis B infection. This antigen may be present before symptoms of an HBV infection are present. If this antigen level remains high for more than 6 months, then you will probably become a carrier of HBV, meaning you can transmit it to others throughout your life.

* Hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) usually appears about 4 weeks after HBsAg disappears. The presence of this antibody means that the infection is at the end of its active stage and you cannot pass the virus to others (you are no longer contagious). This antibody also protects you from getting HBV again in the future. The test is done to determine the need for vaccination—the antibody will be present after receiving the HBV vaccine series, showing that you have protection (immunity) from the virus. Occasionally your test may show that you have both the HBsAb and HBsAg antibodies. In this case, you are still contagious.

* Hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) is an HBV protein that is only present during an active HBV infection. This test determines how contagious you are. Testing for this antigen can also be used to monitor the effectiveness of treatment for HBV.

* HBV DNA testing checks for genetic material (DNA) from the hepatitis B virus. The HBV DNA tests measure how much genetic material is present. A high level of HBV DNA means that the virus is multiplying in your body and you are very contagious. If you have a chronic HBV, an elevated viral DNA level means you are at an increased risk for liver damage and may want to consider treatment with antiviral medicine. Testing for HBV DNA is also used to monitor the effectiveness of treatment for chronic HBV infection. HBV DNA testing is a more sensitive test than HBeAg (above) for detecting HBV in the blood.

Other HBV tests are not done as often:

* Hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb) is an antibody to the hepatitis B core antigen that appears about 1 month after an active HBV infection. It can be found in people who had an infection in the past and in those with long-term (chronic) HBV. It usually is present for life. Blood banks test for this antibody when screening donated blood for hepatitis B.

* Hepatitis B core antibody IgM (HBcAbIgM) is another antibody to the hepatitis B core antigen. It indicates an HBV infection that has occurred within the last 6 months.

* Hepatitis B e-antibody (HBeAb) shows that the active stage of an acute HBV infection is almost over, and your risk of being contagious is greatly reduced.

A hepatitis B vaccine is available to prevent an HBV infection.
Hepatitis D virus (HDV) testing

Infection with the hepatitis D virus (HDV), or delta agent, occurs only in people who are already infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Vaccination against hepatitis B will prevent hepatitis D infection. Hepatitis D infection is rare in the United States and Canada, except among people who inject illegal drugs and those who are frequently exposed to blood products. The hepatitis D test detects HDV antibodies. A positive test indicates only that you have been infected with HDV—it cannot distinguish between an acute or chronic infection. Another test, the HDV RNA test, is needed to determine whether you have an active HDV infection. It does not distinguish between an acute or chronic infection. This test currently is not available except in research settings.

Since hepatitis B infections can be spread through sexual contact, practice safe sex until your test results are returned.

Decompensated Liver Due To Hepatitic C Virus

2009-05-16T23:09:00.000+08:00

Liver cancer

2008-04-12T14:25:00.000+08:00

Liver cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the liver. The liver:

* Produces elements that help blood to clot
* Removes or neutralizes poisons, drugs and alcohol
* Manufactures bile, which helps the body to absorb fats and cholesterol
* Helps to maintain normal blood sugar levels
* Regulates several hormones

Cancer in the liver either starts in the liver (primary liver cancer) or spreads to the liver from other places in the body (secondary liver cancer). Primary liver cancer is the most common solid tumor worldwide, with more than one million cases diagnosed each year. However, it is relatively rare in the United States and Europe. The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 17,000 people are diagnosed with primary liver cancer each year. Most of them are over age 40, and more than 15,000 will die of the disease. In the United States, liver cancer is about twice as common in men as in women.

Most liver tumors in the United States have spread (metastasized) to the liver from other organs, most commonly from the colon, rectum, lung, breast, pancreas and stomach. When a cancer spreads to the liver from somewhere else, the cancer cells are the same in both places. For example, if lung cancer spreads to the liver, the cancerous cells in the liver are the same as the cancerous cells in the lung. For that reason, the person is treated for lung cancer, not liver cancer. Doctors would call the cancer in the liver "metastatic lung cancer." The liver is the most common place for cancer to spread.

Only primary liver cancer is treated as liver cancer. There are four main types of primary liver cancer:

1) Hepatocellular carcinoma (hepatoma or HCC) — This cancer accounts for about 84% of primary liver cancers in the United States. It behaves aggressively.

2) Cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) — This cancer accounts for about 13% of primary liver cancer in the United States. Several conditions increase the risk of developing this cancer, including gallstones, gallbladder inflammation and, sometimes, chronic ulcerative colitis (an inflammation of the large bowel).

3) Angiosarcoma (hemangiosarcoma) — This is a very rare form of liver cancer.

4) Hepatoblastoma — This is a rare type of liver cancer usually found in children younger than age 4.

Fatty liver, Alcoholic hepatitis and Cirrhosis

2008-02-17T14:20:00.000+08:00

Fatty liver (steatosis) is the initial and most common consequence of excessive alcohol ingestion. It is potentially reversible. Fatty liver is the accumulation of fat as large droplets of triglyceride. The liver usually enlarges.

Alcoholic hepatitis (steatohepatitis) is a combination of fatty liver, diffuse liver inflammation, and liver necrosis (often focal), all in various degrees of severity. Cirrhosis may be present as well.

Cirrhosis is advanced liver disease characterized by extensive fibrosis that disrupts the normal liver architecture. The amount of fat present varies. Alcoholic hepatitis may coexist.
Iron accumulation in the liver occurs in up to 10% of alcoholics with normal, fatty, or cirrhotic livers. Accumulation is not predicted by iron intake or body iron stores.

Symptoms and Signs
Symptoms match the stage and severity of disease. Symptoms generally become apparent in patients during their 30s; severe problems appear about a decade later.
Fatty liver usually causes no symptoms. In 1⁄3 of patients, the liver is enlarged, smooth, and occasionally tender.

Alcoholic hepatitis ranges from a mild, reversible illness to a life-threatening disease. In moderate cases, patients usually are malnourished and present with fatigue, fever, jaundice, right upper quadrant pain and tenderness. Their condition often deteriorates in the first few weeks of hospitalization.

Severe cases may involve jaundice, ascites, hypoglycemia, electrolyte abnormalities, hepatic insufficiency. Cirrhosis may cause symptoms ranging from minimal to those of alcoholic hepatitis or the complications of end-stage liver disease.
Commonly, portal hypertension (often with esophageal varices and upper GI bleeding, ascites, portal-systemic encephalopathy)

Fatty Liver

2007-08-29T17:01:00.000+08:00

Fatty liver is liver with buildup of fat in the liver cells. Although it can be benign (i.e. harmless), sometimes it may contribute to the development of more serious liver conditions, such as inflammation (hepatitis) and scarring of liver tissue (cirrhosis).

One of the causes of fatty liver could is alcohol consumption. It can occur with inflammation or liver cell damage. There is also a possibility of getting this problem without alcohol with the main causes being obesity and diabetes. Other causes may include pregnancy and medications such as corticosteroids.

Although fatty liver often produces no symptoms sometimes symptoms like fatigue, malaise or abdominal tenderness could be apparent. When fatty liver develops into a more serious condition, symptoms may include jaundice, weight loss and swelling (edema) in the legs and feet.

Treatment of fatty liver includes abstinence from alcohol losing weight with exercise. However, any cell death or scarring that results from untreated fatty liver disease is permanent and can impair liver function if severe (e.g., cirrhosis). Supplements such as vitamins E and C, milk thistle and omega-3 fatty acids could also help.

When To Call A Professional

2007-08-25T17:18:00.000+08:00

Call your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms of liver cancer:

Fatigue,Mild fever, A yellowing of skin and eyes (jaundice), Muscle or joint aches, Nausea, Dark colored urine, Vomiting, Loss of appetite, Abdominal pain or swelling.

Liver Disease Symptoms

2007-08-20T18:41:00.000+08:00

Whether it is a disease of the gall bladder or the liver itself, jaundice is one of the main symptoms of liver disease. When the skin becomes jaundiced, there is most likely an issue with the Liver or Gall Bladder. Jaundice can either turn the skin yellow or orange depending on the type.

The whites of the eyes often turn yellow. Jaundice is the result of the liver not properly breaking down old blood and transforming it into bile. It is important to consult medical doctor to identify if the jaundice is being caused by acute hepatitis or severe infection in the gall bladder. Symptoms could last several weeks and they could include the following:

1) Flu like symptoms
2) Light coloured stool
3) Yellowing of the skin and eyes
4) Dark urine
5) Extreme fatigue
6) Nausea
7) Vomiting and abdominal pain

One should also take note that a Chronic Active carrier could continue to damage the liver. Symptoms of chronic liver disease include malaise, weight loss, loss of appetites, and often jaundice. Although passive carriers show no symptoms, they could infect others. Milk thistle is traditionally recommended by health care providers for chronic liver disease.

Risk factors of liver cancer

2007-08-11T21:55:00.000+08:00

Factors that increase the risk of developing primary liver cancer include the following:

1) Hepatitis or inflammation of the liver caused by a viral infection. There are different types of hepatitis caused by different virus i.e. A, B, C, D, E and G. Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are responsible for most cases of hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatitis A does not increase your risk of developing liver cancer.

2) Cirrhosis, which is the scarring of liver cells that has several causes. In the United States, the most common causes of cirrhosis are hepatitis C and drinking too much alcohol. Fifty percent to 70% of liver cancers in the United States are associated with cirrhosis.

3) Direct contact with vinyl chloride (polyvinyl chloride or PVC)

4) Exposure to arsenic, a chemical used as a wood preservative, herbicide, insecticide, and in manufacturing some glass and metallic alloys. Some drinking water is contaminated by arsenic. It also exists in natural mineral deposits.

5) Anabolic steroids, which are male hormones used to treat certain conditions, and are sometimes used illegally by athletes to enhance performance. Long-term use may slightly increase the risk of liver cancer.

Liver Cirrhosis

2007-07-28T11:55:00.000+08:00

No other organs in our body perform a wider variety of essential jobs than the liver because it:
1) produces essential proteins that help blood to clot
2) removes or neutralizes poisons, drugs and alcohol
3) manufactures bile that helps the body to absorb fats and cholesterol
4) helps to maintain normal blood sugar levels
5) regulates several hormones

Liver Cirrhosis is a disease in which normal liver cells are replaced by scar tissue, which interferes with all of these important functions. In extreme cases, the damage is so severe that the only solution is a liver transplant. Cirrhosis is the eighth leading cause of death by disease in the United States, killing 25,000 people each year. It impairs thousands of other people as the liver gradually loses its ability to function.

In the United States and Europe, the most common causes of liver cirrhosis are excessive alcohol use and chronic infection with the hepatitis C virus.
Alcoholic cirrhosis tends to develop after a decade or more of heavy drinking, although it is possible for "social drinkers" to have cirrhosis. It is not known why some people are more prone to adverse reactions than others, but women are at greater risk of cirrhosis, even when they drink less alcohol than men.

Chronic hepatitis C causes inflammation of the liver that eventually can lead to cirrhosis. One out of every five people with chronic hepatitis C develops cirrhosis after 20 years. Chronic hepatitis B, which causes damage in a similar way, is the leading cause of cirrhosis in the world but is less common in industrialized countries.

Prevention of Liver Cirrhosis

2007-04-26T14:49:00.000+08:00

The most important step you can take to prevent cirrhosis is to avoid excessive drinking. It is best to consume an average of no more than two alcoholic drinks a day for men or one drink a day for women. If you have chronic hepatitis or other liver problems, avoid alcohol completely.

Some other causes of cirrhosis can be prevented. To avoid infection with hepatitis B and C, do not inject illegal drugs, snort cocaine, or have unprotected sex, especially with multiple partners. If you are considering body piercing or tattooing, make sure that the equipment is cleaned properly. Health care and emergency workers should follow infection control precautions carefully whenever they are exposed to blood. Hepatitis B also can be prevented with a vaccine, a series of three shots that is 90% effective.
Click HERE to know more about LIVER DISEASE.

Sweat May Transmit Hepatitis B Virus During Sports

2007-04-20T20:40:00.000+08:00

Based on a study done on 70 male Turkish Olympic wrestlers, a new study indicated that close contact sports, such as football, soccer, basketball or wrestling, may put players at risk of catching the hepatitis B virus (HBV) from their sweating opponents. Some of the athletes were found to carry the virus in their blood while some had the virus in their sweat.....Click HERE to get more details.

New Drug for Hepatitis B Approved by the FDA

2007-03-16T12:05:00.000+08:00

Medically Reviewed On: November 14, 2006

(HealthCentersOnline) - After a year-long international study, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new drug for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B in adults.

The drug, telbivudine (Tyzeka), is categorized by the FDA as a new molecular entity—a medication that contains an active substance that has never been approved by the FDA for marketing in the United States.

>Click here to read the whole article.

Fatty Liver and Diabetes

2007-03-16T11:57:00.000+08:00

Swedish researchers find that many patients with a common liver disease will eventually become diabetic.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NFLD) is a buildup of fat in liver cells that is not caused by alcohol abuse. Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder in which the body develops difficulty using the hormone insulin to process glucose for energy. Obesity is a major risk factor for both disorders.

The scientists found that 78 percent of the volunteers having NFLD developed diabetes or prediabetes, a condition that often leads to type 2 diabetes. They also linked NFLD, which is sometimes described as a minor condition, to a risk of developing end-stage liver disease.

They therefore recommend lifestyle modifications in all patients with NAFLD. Not only do lifestyle modifications reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, intense dietary intervention may also improve liver histology in NAFLD.

What you need to know about liver cirrhosis

2007-01-28T21:51:00.000+08:00

No body organ performs a wider variety of essential jobs than the liver. It:

* Produces essential proteins that help blood to clot
* Removes or neutralizes poisons, drugs and alcohol
* Manufactures bile that helps the body to absorb fats and cholesterol
* Helps to maintain normal blood sugar levels
* Regulates several hormones

Cirrhosis is a disease in which normal liver cells are replaced by scar tissue, which interferes with all of these important functions. In extreme cases, the damage is so severe that the only solution is a liver transplant. Cirrhosis is the eighth leading cause of death by disease in the United States, killing 25,000 people each year. It impairs thousands of other people as the liver gradually loses its ability to function.

Cirrhosis has many causes. In the United States and Europe, the most common causes are excessive alcohol use and chronic infection with the hepatitis C virus.

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FDA Calls for Tougher Warnings on OTC Painkillers

2007-01-21T09:40:00.000+08:00

TUESDAY, Dec. 19 (HealthDay News) -- U.S. authorities are proposing stricter warning labels for popular over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin and Tylenol.

The warnings, which would address the potential for stomach bleeding as well as liver damage, would apply to acetaminophen products such as Tylenol as well as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve) and ketoprofen (Oruvail).

Many product manufacturers already have voluntary warnings on their labels.

The new rule would make the warnings mandatory, would require the warnings to be more prominently displayed and would require standardized language, Dr. Charles Ganley, director of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Office of Nonprescription Products, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said during a Tuesday afternoon teleconference.

>Read the whole article here.

Fatty liver found in children

2006-11-07T13:08:00.000+08:00

Researchers from the University of California, San Diego reported that pediatric fatty liver disease and steatohepatitis (fatty inflammation of the liver) in obese children have been increasing and this also includes cases of cirrhosis and liver transplantation.

According to the current issue of the Journal Pediatrics, fatty liver is seen in about 10% of children and adolescents, making it the most common liver abnormality in this age group. Fatty liver s defined as fatty deposits in at least 5 percent of the liver cells.

Liver enzyme predicts overall health ?

2006-11-06T22:37:00.000+08:00

The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) recommend that both doctors and the public should pay more attention to the levels of the liver enzyme alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in blood as there is growing evidence that ALT is a marker of general health. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine observed an increased risk of death for subjects with elevated levels of ALT. Elevated levels of the enzyme increased the risk of death by 63 percent.

Scientists at an English university have grown a miniature artificial human liver

2006-11-05T16:14:00.000+08:00

Researchers in Newcastle University in northeast England made the ethical breakthrough by growing a miniature artificial human liver in their study of regenerative medicine, using stem cells from the umbilical cord i.e. without requiring the need for embryos.

This is very useful to pharmaceutical companies and they can use them to test new drugs without having to test on animals and humans. Also, these mini-livers could eventually be used like dialysis machines, giving time for a patient's liver to repair itself or while awaiting doctors to find a replacement liver.

The link between liver disease and type 2 diabetes

2006-10-18T22:53:00.000+08:00

Swedish researchers who examined 212 patients between 1988 and 1993 found that 78 percent of the volunteers developed diabetes or prediabetes, a condition that often leads to type 2 diabetes. They also linked NFLD (Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease), which is sometimes described as a minor condition, to risk of developing end-stage liver disease.

The researchers therefore recommend that lifestyle modifications in all patients with NAFLD should be looked into. Not only would such action reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, intense dietary intervention may also improve liver histology in NFLD.

Treatment options for liver disease

2006-10-04T10:56:00.000+08:00

The treatment of liver disease varies, depending on the type of disease. In some cases, treatment involves minimizing or treating complications that may arise due to liver disease.

Liver diseases may be treated with lifestyle changes, such as:
1) Avoiding alcohol or drinking in moderation. Alcohol can damage the liver, so avoiding or minimizing consumption is very important.
2) Avoiding medications that may damage the liver, such as acetaminophen.
3) Eating a well-balanced diet. Liver disease can sometimes impact the body's ability to absorb nutrients so patients must take special care to eat foods high in vitamins and minerals.
4) Following special diets. Patients with ascites and edema, two common complications of liver disease, may follow a low-sodium diet to reduce fluid buildup. Patients with Wilson's disease may be required to avoid foods that are high in copper, such as liver, shellfish, mushrooms and nuts.
5) Exercising regularly. This can help patients maintain a healthy weight.
Liver diseases may also be treated with medications, including:
6) Corticosteroids. A group of anti-inflammatory drugs used to provide relief for inflamed areas of the body by reducing swelling, redness, itching and allergic reactions. They are used to treat autoimmune hepatitis and Budd Chiari syndrome.
7) Interferon. Naturally produced proteins in the immune response that attack viruses and other foreign agents. Interferon is used to treat viral hepatitis.
8) Beta blockers. Medication to treat high blood pressure. A common complication of liver disease is portal hypertension (increased blood pressure in the portal vein).
9) Chelating agent. Medication that binds to copper and helps eliminate it from the body. It is used to treat Wilson's disease.
10) Chemotherapy. This involves using powerful medications to kill cancer cells. Liver cancer is treated with chemotherapy.

What are the symptoms of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)?

2006-09-19T18:05:00.000+08:00

The symptoms of NAFLD and NASH are identical. They are very bland (not dramatic) and non-specific (can also be observed in other diseases). They can occur at any adult age and, in children, usually appear after 10 years of age. Actually, most patients have no symptoms. They may, however, experience occasional, vague right upper-quadrant abdominal pain (below the rib-cage on the right side). This pain characteristically is dull and aching, without a predictable pattern of occurrence. It is not an intense, sudden, and severe pain, as might occur with, for example, gallstones. The abdominal pain in NAFLD and NASH is thought to be due to the stretching of the liver covering (capsule) when the liver enlarges and/or when there is inflammation in the liver.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease - what is it?

2006-09-06T11:42:00.000+08:00

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) describes a range of conditions that affect people who drink little or no alcohol.

The mildest type is simple fatty liver (steatosis), an accumulation of fat within the liver that usually causes no liver damage. A potentially more serious type, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), is associated with liver-damaging inflammation and, sometimes, the formation of fibrous tissue. In some cases, this can progress to either cirrhosis, which causes progressive, irreversible liver scarring, or to liver cancer.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease affects more women than men and is found in all age groups, including children. Most often, it's diagnosed in middle-aged people who are overweight or obese, and who may also have diabetes and elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels (hyperlipidemia).

With the increasing incidence of obesity and diabetes in Western countries, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease has become a growing problem. Although its true prevalence is unknown, some estimates suggest it may already affect as many as one-third of American adults.

Because early-stage nonalcoholic fatty liver disease rarely causes any symptoms, it's usually detected because of abnormal results of liver tests done for unrelated issues. Preferred treatments include weight loss, exercise, improved diabetes control and the use of cholesterol-lowering medications. Research is under way to develop more specific treatments.

Men die faster than women because of their risky lifestyles!

2006-07-26T22:56:00.000+08:00

Recent findings by the researchers from Leeds Metropolitan University in England indicate that young men throughout the world have higher death rates than women because of their riskier lifestyles.

Deaths from illnesses such as heart disease, cancer and chronic liver disease rise sharply in 35- to 44-year-olds. The researchers said deaths due to cancer, heart disease and chronic liver disease showed the importance of lifestyle habits such as smoking and alcohol consumption which are known to raise the risk of developing the disorders.

Men tend to have higher chances of developing the majority of cancers. Also, they are dying from it sooner.

What is liver biopsy and why is it done?

2006-07-25T12:49:00.000+08:00

Liver biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue from the liver using a special needle.
The tissue is examined under a microscope to look for the presence of inflammation or liver damage and hence to determine the cause of the liver disease.
A liver biopsy is normally carried out to:

1) evaluate the cause of jaundice and to help diagnose certain liver diseases such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, and liver tumors.

2) evaluate the cause of abnormal liver function blood test results, especially AST (Aspartate aminotransferase) and ALT (Alanine aminotransferase). Both ALT and AST levels are indicators of possible liver damage.

3) determine the degree of scarring and inflammation as a result of hepatitis or other liver diseases.

4) monitor the effectiveness of a selected treatment for liver disease.

5) measure whether a certain medication, such as cholesterol reducing medication, is producing a negative toxic effect on the liver.

6) monitor the function of a transplanted or donor liver.

What is Hepatitis?

2006-07-23T22:40:00.000+08:00

Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver mainly caused by virus. The main characteristics are fatigue, malaise, joint aches, abdominal pain, vomiting 2-3 times per day for the first 5 days, loss of appetite, dark urine, fever, enlarged liver (hepatomegaly) and jaundice. Unfortunately some chronic forms of hepatitis show very few of these symptoms until the persistent inflammation has led to the replacement of liver cells by connective tissues resulting in the formation of cirrhosis.
There are basically 5 types of Hepatitis i.e. Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E.

What are the main types of Hepatitis?

2006-07-23T22:00:00.000+08:00

1) Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A or infectious jaundice is caused by a virus transmitted by the orofecal route i.e. from the stool (or remnants of it) of one person the mouth of another. It can also be transmitted through contaminated food especially raw sea food and drinks. It causes an acute form of hepatitis and does not have a chronic stage. People with hepatitis A are advised to rest, stay hydrated and avoid alcohol. A vaccine is available that will prevent infection from hepatitis. Strict personal hygiene and the avoidance of raw and unpeeled foods are very important to help prevent an infection.

2) Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B can be both acute and chronic. The virus is normally transmitted through blood (e.g. sharing of syringes and shaving accessories such as razor blades), tattoos (including those professionally done), sexual contact (i.e. Vaginal intercourse, oral sex, and/or anal sex), from mother to her unborn child. However, in about half of cases the source of infection cannot be determined. In the US, 95% of patients clear their infection and develop antibodies against hepatitis B virus. 5% of patients for some reasons could not clear the infection and they could eventually develop seriouschronic problems such as cirrhosis and cancer.
The good news is a vaccine is available that will prevent infection from hepatitis B for life. Hepatitis B infections result in 500,000 to 1,200,000 deaths per year worldwide due to the complications of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and cancer.

3) Hepatitis C
Hepatitis (originally "non-A non-B hepatitis") is transmitted through sexual contact and contact with infected blood. It may also lead to a chronic form of hepatitis, resulting in cirrhosis. Unfortunately, it can remain asymptomatic (i.e. showing no symptoms) for 10-20 years. Another bad news is that no vaccine is available for hepatitis C.

4) Hepatitis D
Hepatitis D virus is a passenger virus that cannot proliferate without the presence of Hepatitis B virus. A passenger virus is a virus that simply adhere to the body of a person or infects the body without causing symptoms, illness and disease. However it is possible to detect the presence of a passenger virus through testing for antigen and antibody.

5) Hepatitis E
Hepatitis E produces symptoms similar to those of Hepatitis A.