A Magazine of People and
Possibilities
Now Celebrating 17 Years In Print and 11 Years Online!
Liver Detoxification
by Dr. Raj Rakhra
The liver is a complex and important organ
for metabolism. It is the body's premier cleansing organ as all
the blood in the body passes through the liver. It is responsible
for eliminating and detoxifying some of the toxic chemicals known
to pass through the liver including the polycyclic hydrocarbons
that are components of various herbicides and pesticides including
DDT, dioxin and PCB. The exact degree of how much exposure people
may have had is difficult to assess. It is probably quite high,
as the yearly US production of synthetic organic pesticides alone
is close to a billion tons. The liver stores - fat-soluble substances,
these include chemicals, which can be stored in the liver for
years. Using enzymes, the liver transforms these chemicals into
water-soluble substances that can be excreted through the kidneys
or the gastrointestinal tract.
The liver's basic functions are three fold: Vascular, Secretory
and Metabolic. Vascular function includes being a major blood
reservoir, filtering over a liter of blood every minute. The liver
effectively removes bacteria, endotoxins, antibody complexes and
various other particles from the circulation.
The liver manufactures about one liter of bile every day. Bile
is necessary for the absorption of fat-soluble substances. Many
toxic substances are eliminated through bile. The metabolic functions
of the liver are immense, fat and carbohydrate metabolism, storage
of vitamins and minerals, detoxification or excretion into the
bile of various chemical compounds including hormones such as
thyroxin, cortisol, estrogen, aldosterone, histamine drugs and
pesticides.
What you eat, where you live, consumption of too many processed
foods, additives, polluted environment, exposure to chemicals
in the air and water all effects the liver and its performance.
An impaired liver does not process foods or detoxifies as quickly
as a healthy liver. Even a minor impairment of the liver has profound
effects on the body. One of the leading contributors to impaired
liver function is diminished bile flow or cholestasis. Cholestasis
can be caused by obstruction of bile duct. Gall stones mainly
due to high fat, low fiber diet. Impairment of the bile flow is
associated with alteration in the laboratory tests of liver functions
(serum bilirubin, alkaline phosphate, serum aspartate transaminase,
alanine aminotransferase and gama glutamyl transpeptidase etc)
signifying cellular damage. However relying on these tests alone
to evaluate liver function may not be adequate. Clinical judgement
based on medical history also plays a major role to evaluate the
sluggish liver. Exposure to drugs, toxic chemicals, alcohol, viral
infections and hepatitis is usually apparent in an individual
with sluggish liver.
Hormones are metabolized by the liver, excess estrogen can result
in endometriosis, high blood pressure, PMS, breast, uterine and
vaginal cancer and many more disorders. The liver also manufactures
bile to digest fats, chemically changes many foods into vitamins
and enzymes, converts carbohydrates and proteins into glucose
for brain fuel and glycogen for muscular energy and stores nutrients
to be secreted as needed by the body to build and maintain cells.
Junk food consumption has increased drastically in the last few
decades. Processed sugar, candies, chocolate bars, consumption
of pop, potato chips, fries and all other variety of fast foods
which are low in nutrition and processed with preservatives and
low in fiber have degenerative long term effects on health. Junk
foods and soft drinks contain dangerous additives, chemicals and
many are laced with excitotoxins found in such ingredients as
aspartame, Msg, cysteine, hydrolyzed protein and aspartic acid.
Excitotoxins are substances added to the food and beverages that
literally stimulate neurons to degeneration, causing brain damage
of varying degrees. As the author of the book "Crazy makers"
said "Our health has become a victim of someone else's profit
margin." No wonder that at least half of the population has
one or more chronic disorders.
If the liver function is impaired or sluggish, you may get gas,
a feeling of fullness, loss of appetite, nausea after fatty meals,
an oily taste in the mouth, revulsion to fatty foods, frequent
headaches, weak ligament, tendons and muscles, skin problems and
emotional excesses, malaise, allergies, chemical sensitivities,
PMS and constipation. The most common cause of impaired liver
function is alcohol consumption. All active alcoholics demonstrate
fatty infiltration of the liver.
How to maintain health and vitality. Understanding that our quality
of life is determined by daily choices. We have the power to improve
our health and well being quickly and dramatically. Optimum nutrition
is the key factor, but our health depends not only on what nutrients
we eat, but how much of those nutrients are absorbed and how well
and regularly the body's waste products are eliminated.
Any cleansing program should begin in the colon, the last portion
of the digestive system. The function of the colon can be compared
with the sewer system in a large city. Just imagine what will
happen if the sewer system in our area becomes clogged. The whole
neighborhood would be filled with filth in a very short time.
This can also occur in our bodies when the elimination system
is not functioning properly. When the colon is clean and healthy,
we experience an overall well being. When it is congested with
stagnant waste, poisons back up into the system and pollute the
inner environment. This is called autointoxication or self-poisoning.
It gives the symptoms of allergy, bad breadth, constipation, gas,
bloating, headaches, low energy, low back pain, and lowered immunity,
prolonged sleep, PMS, skin problems, rheumatism, aches and pain
and many more symptoms of feeling unwell. Every cell of the body
is affected by auto-intoxication causing the person to be irritable,
feel depressed and weak.
Cleansing the colon - with Colon Hydro therapy may be required
at this time. A colonic irrigation using gravitational method,
is an intestinal bath that helps cleanse the colon of poisons,
gas and accumulated fecal matter. There is no discomfort or pressure.
Just a steady flow in and out of the colon. No other system can
equal this process. We only use disposable speculums and tubes
which is a must to avoid any unwanted infection.
In our clinic Triflax forte, an Ayurvedic herbal formula is also
used with amazing results. Constipation - Most common sign of
toxic colon. We treat this and clean the colon with Triflax forte,
an old Ayurvedic herbal formula. This is an enhanced formula designed
for the requirements of the present population keeping in mind
life style, living and eating habits. If you have ignored your
self too long and have the above symptoms to kick start, Colon
Hydrotherapy is the way to go. There are so many things you can
do to enhance your liver function and detoxify it. Paying attention
to the diet is important. Avoid junk food, alcohol, eat raw foods,
increase fiber in your diet, vegetable juice fating is great.
(Must be under the care of a Naturopathic physician.) Many herbs
and vitamins are effective for liver health and detoxification.
These herbs include taraxacum officianalis, silibum, marianum,
artichoke, Curcuma longa, Glutathione, Carnitne, choline, methionine,
formula liv 52, and many other products are available to help
and detoxify the liver, Vitamin C and Glutathione also can be
used intravenously.
Dr. Rakhra's clinic is
located at 121 - 14 Street North West in Calgary, Alberta.
He may be reached at: 403-270-7033.
See display ad in this issue for more information.
Visit his webiste at: www.aynh.com
A Magazine of People and Possibilities
Now Celebrating 17 Years In Print and 11 Years Online!