"LIVER" The Gate to Good Health

The liver is the gate to good health and the main blood generator in the body. It is like a large chemical plant that filters toxins from your blood creating beneficial nutrients, such as glycogen, synthesizing proteins needed for life, fat or carbohydrate compounds, and hormones.

The liver produces bile acids, which are emulsified fats, thereby facilitating their processing of other enzymes, which highlights the pancreas.
Your liver plays a role in detoxification. It filters infectious organisms, alcohol, heavy metals, drugs, and other poisons from the blood, and also processes and eliminates toxic byproducts of normal metabolism.

A faulted liver cause faulted blood and faulted blood cause different type of the diseases.

Foods that are beneficial for a healthy liver

Lean Proteins
             Modest portions of proteins are recommended on a daily basis from chicken, turkey and cold-water fish like salmon and  herring. Remember eating a large steak is not good for your liver. It takes several days to digest that meat.

Fruit and Vegetables
             Examples of healthy fruits and vegetables include leafy green vegetables, broccoli, spinach, apples, oranges, celery, melons, cauliflower, brussel sprouts and cabbage. Good cleansing vegetables are beets, tomatoes, and apples.

Low Sodium Foods
             Choose homemade soups instead of canned soups and fresh whole grain breads rather than processed breads. If you choose canned vegetables make sure you use either the low-salt or rinse your vegetables out before using them. Choose natural tomato sauce, oil, vinegar, garlic or oil over condiments such as ketchup, salad dressings and mustard.

Carbohydrates
             To promote healthy liver functions choose complex carbohydrates such as cereals, starchy vegetables and whole grain breads to reap nutrients and energy. Examples of whole grains are whole grain cereal, oats, brown rice, bulgur, cornmeal, whole-wheat bread or pasta, and quinoa.

Water
             Water is largely responsible for the fluid content of blood. As the organ that filters the blood, its viscosity impacts the liver’s detoxification abilities. Accordingly, not drinking enough water will increase the blood’s thickness and make it harder to filter

We have dumped all processed foods from our diets. It’s hard when you eat out, of course. We try to choose restaurants that make meals from scratch. I know they won’t be organic, but it’s better than processed.
There is a restaurant in Houston called “The Feast” that cooks only local food and only in season. The menu is different. It’s kind of pricey. (Make sure you go to the bottom and check out where they get their local food)

That’s where I want to go on our anniversary.

How Blood Type Determines Your Health

After reading some of my articles you might be overwhelmed with how to start feeling better with a different way of eating and diet.
This next information really helped me. I didnt realize how much better I fely not eating chicken and tomatoes until I just took them off my plate. I now, of course, have to make two different meals sometimes, because hubby can eat chicken not beef and I can eat beef not chicken. Its strange, but it seems to work. Fortunally, we can eat turkey and some fish.
By combining my digestion suggestions and this "Blood Type" diet along with taking any necessary suppliments you could feel a lot different along with more energy.
Here is how this goes. First find out your blood type. Next I go to the DO NOT EAT part of this diet and focus on those items. My hubby is type A and eats mainly fish, some meat, and veggies. As for me, thank goodness, I can eat meat and of course veggies and fruits.
Intro to Blood Type Diet
Type A
Type B
Type O
Type AB

Digestion

Digestion...yes the big problem for many adults. Remember years ago, your parents told you to eat slower and chew chew chew. I remember hearing once you should chew 25 times.

Today most folks suffer from acid reflux or just plain indigestion. I believe this is because we are in such a rush and just don't take time to eat correct. Also, eating as we do now, gives us gas, indigestion, and heart burn.

With firsthand experience, we have seemed to lessen this problem with 4 easy tips:

1) Smaller meals.

Eat until you are full with smaller portions. If you are eating out ask your server for a box and put half your meal in it. If you are like me you will eat till you are full then sit there and pick until it’s all gone.

2) Smaller bites

Put your fork/spoon down between bites. Heck chopsticks would be your best bet.

3) Chew Chew Chew

This allows the digestive juices to start breaking down your food. Let your digestive enzymes in your stomach to do their job. Drinking any liquid with a meal dilutes this process, therefore making our stomach work harder, giving you acid indigestion.

Here are a few drugs that are prescribed by your MD. There are 17 on this page. Check it out.

http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/find-drug.html

Dexilant Oral
Dexlansoprazole works by blocking acid production in the stomach. This medication is known as a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). It is used to treat acid-related stomach and throat (esophagus) problems (such as acid reflux or GERD, erosive esophagitis).

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Dexilant Delayed-Release Capsules:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); bone pain; calf pain, swelling, or tenderness; chest pain, numbness of an arm or leg, sudden severe vomiting or dizziness, or vision changes; depression; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; joint pain, tenderness, swelling, or warmth; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; seizures; shortness of breath; unusual tiredness or weakness.
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Nexium Oral
Esomeprazole works by blocking acid production in the stomach. This medication is known as a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). It is used to treat acid-related stomach and throat (esophagus) problems (e.g., acid reflux or GERD, erosive esophagitis).

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Nexium I.V.:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest or throat; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); bone pain; chest pain; dark urine; fast heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe diarrhea; severe stomach cramps or pain; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness; yellowing of the eyes or skin.
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Prevacid Oral
Lansoprazole works by blocking acid production in the stomach. This medication is known as a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). It is used to treat acid-related stomach and throat (esophagus) problems (e.g., acid reflux or GERD, ulcers, erosive esophagitis, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome).

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Prevacid I.V.:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); bone pain; chest pain; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; seizures; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness; vision changes

What is Organic?

What is organic?

Organic is a labeling term that indicates that the food or other agricultural product has been produced through approved methods that integrate cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. Synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, and genetic engineering may not be used

That is todays definition. As a young adult organic was growing a garden in your back yard without using any pesticides. All seeds were kept from last year and the only spray for bugs was a couple drops of ivory liquid soap in a galon of water sprayed on the bug infested areas. Lady bugs were always around and sometimes we inported in praying mantus.

Today being labled organic is real tough. There are so many hoops to jump through that most just lable themselves local, conventional (non synthetic pesticides), and natural (sustainable). All of these lables are basically organice with out the tons of paperwork and regulations. Their produce isn't as expensive as organic.

Requirements vary from country to country, and generally involve a set of production standards for growing, storage, processing, packaging and shipping that include:

· no human sewage sludge fertilizer used in cultivation of plants or feed of animals

· avoidance of synthetic chemical inputs not on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (e.g. fertilizer, pesticides, antibiotics, food additives, etc.), genetically modified organisms, irradiation, and the use of biosolids;

· use of farmland that has been free from prohibited synthetic chemicals for a number of years (often, three or more);

· keeping detailed written production and sales records (audit trail);

· maintaining strict physical separation of organic products from non-certified products;

· undergoing periodic on-site inspections.

In some countries, certification is overseen by the government, and commercial use of the term organic is legally restricted. Certified organic producers are also subject to the same agricultural, food safety and other government regulations that apply to non-certified producers.

Below will show you the differences:

	Organic	Sustainable
Certification	must be independently certified every year (actual certification)	practices do not require any official certification (more a philosophy or way of life)
Animal Welfare	need to give animals "access" to outdoors, but they can actually confine animals and gain organic certification with as little as an open door leading to a cement patio	animals must be permitted to carry out their natural behaviors, like rooting, pecking or grazing
Antibiotics	antibiotics can be fed to organic-certified livestock	Many farmers using sustainable practices do not administer any antibiotics at all (they are not restricted), but some may do so when their animals are sick and need to be treated. The milk and meat of animals given antibiotics on these farms are not used for human consumption until the antibiotics have fully passed out of the animals' systems
Artificial Hormones	No added or artificial hormones are allowed	nor are they used for sustainable farming
Corp Involvement	food can be produced by large corporations	food can be produced by large corporations, but most are not.

Toxins, where are they?

Toxins can be any of various poisonous compounds. They are prevalent and present in our daily lives. They can cause harm to our bodies. We inhale them and absorb them through food and liquids.

Toxins are an integral part of our everyday lives. Pollution, pesticides, cigarettes, bad water and harmful cleaning products are only a few of the different sources of toxins that can cause our bodies to malfunction.

Unfortunately, we cannot run away from them since they’re all over our atmosphere and we come in contact with them every day.
Living in the south with all the humidity should be the way to get rid of toxins, so why are there so many hospitals (most of which deal with cancer) in the area? I still think we need to make sure we eat right and take supplements to get rid of the overload in our bodies. Overloads can break our bodies down allowing viruses and cancer to attack.

Here are some of the solutions I use and some others use


One radical idea is the LEMONADE DIET. This will eliminate toxins. Cleaning out your organs is necessary. Many diseases start from a waste built up in colon.

Check your eating habits. Take food that contain vitamin C. Vitamin C stimulates the production of glutathione which is a liver compound that expels toxins. Fibrous food is also helpful in the detoxification process. Without a healthy liver nothing else matters. Because the liver performs so many vital functions, liver damage can impact almost all body systems.

Drink at least 3 liters of water on a daily basis. Drinking enough of water will enhance and strengthen your kidneys and liver to help flush out harmful toxins from your body. In addition, drinking plenty of water can cool the temperature of your body and eliminate microorganisms and their waste products.

For you girls and maybe guys GIVE UP your chemical make-up. Bare Minerals uses natural ingredients.(look up the ingredients of your make-up) Also DUMP those synthetic chemical ridden lotions, deodorant, shampoo, tooth paste, and soaps.(check their ingredients  online) I gave up antiperspirants years ago because of all the aluminum in those products.(which can cause breast cancer) Your body needs to perspire to get rid of toxins. And believe me, if you don’t put in as many toxins your body your odor won’t be strong. I use deodorants from Vitacost or Arm and Hammer which is a non-aluminum deodorant.
I also squeeze a bit of organic lemon juice in my water daily. If you have a good chiropractor who is educated in acupressure he can help you detox. Amazingly enough, my chiropractor used acupressure on my sore shoulder and by the end of the day my shoulder hurt so bad I almost cried. I waited until the next day and my shoulder had no pain. Along with lots of water I apparently passed those toxins out. Here in south Texas all you have to do is take a walk in the heat of the day and you will sweat toxins.
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Some blogs will be on individual organs. Since I only have one kidney I will share my story along with helpful suggestions on how to keep your kidney healthy.

Immune System

I am sure you have heard that so and so's uncle smoked two packs of cigarettes a day and ate bacon every morning and live to be 90. While another healthy person dies early of some disease. The immune system is the key to preventing any illness, including cancer. Some folks have lousy immune systems and need extra help. Others have over active immune systems and need to be toned down (allergies, asthma, or an autoimmune disorder). Thus, you need something that’s "immune-modulating" to help regulate your body's immune response (and turn it down, if necessary).

The immune system works by recognizing antigens and producing specific antibodies against it. Antibodies are a type of protein custom-made by the immune system to fight specific antigens.

Your immune system can get off track with poor eating habits, various drugs, and most of all toxins. A weak immune system leaves your body wide open to defeat from foreign invader and renegade (cancer) cells to take over.

Here are personal stories of close relatives who have died of cancer. All had different problems from a weak immune system.

My sister died of cancer starting in her lymph nodes and eventually took over her body. She was a healthy girl, eating fresh local foods, and living in the country with fresh air and water. After 25 years of marriage, she divorced her husband. Stress can kill.

My father smoked for 30 years and quit for 20 years. He was healthy and worked in his yard. After his home was flooded and RV burnt to the ground along with his daughter, dying of cancer stress took over. His weak lungs were the problem and he died of lung cancer.

Some cancers can be related to the surrounding environment. My mother-in-law and her sister died of a rare form of bone cancer. Both grew up in the Midwest. Most of the Midwest's ground and water is saturated with pesticides from commercial farming.

My short list of immune killers: smoking, stress, pesticides, processed foods, lack of activity, and toxins.

Herb Tonics are used to address the health of your entire bodily system. They can be taken for an extended period of time and be very safe. Tonics are typically used to shore up systems that need "toning" or "tonifying" (meaning it's failing or just performing below par). Barberry, Echinacea, and goldenseal boost your immune system.

Herb Adaptogenics help you deal with ill effects of stress.

Exercise is a proven immunity booster; it flushes bacteria and other pathogens from the respiratory and urinary tracts via skin and sweat. Exercise even raises your body temperature, which acts like a fever to kill of infectious microbes.

While conventional medicine has traditionally focused its immune-system strategies on curing infections, herbalism has centered on the belief that supporting and nourishing the immune system will result in fewer and less severe infections--and better health overall.

My favorite sites:

LivingStrong

Boost-Immune-System-Naturally

Antioxidant Definition (What are free radicals)

I also have to tell you I got some specific information from a good herb book called: Everything Guide to Herbal Remedies

*Next blog will be about:

What is Organic?

In My Opinion

First of all to make a long story short, I am a kidney cancer survivor from 2005. My OBGYN ordered a CT Scan looking for something else and found a tumor on my right kidney and an issue with my right ovary. The doctors took both right ovary and right kidney out and that was it. I have been cancer free since that time and have decided to stay away from synthetic drugs, pesticides, processed foods (as much as I can), hormones (dairy and meats), and if I can, genetically modified foods. It’s hard to do this, but more and more places are getting away from those GMS.

Each year doctors want a CT Scan, X-rays, and blood tests. I feel like I will eventually glow in the dark. Oh yes, and the dreaded mammogram. I am doing research in Thermograms. (Mammography vs Thermography)

Living in TX is nice, but there are a lot of toxins in the air and what better place for the best cancer hospital in the US, yes MD Anderson.

To put it bluntly, I do not think traditional medicine believes in curing cancer. Sure, there are a few cancers that seem to have a cure, but nothing is forever. Over the long term why cure cancer when FDA, cancer hospitals, and doctors can still reap millions in income? Just a question.

My focus is on PREVENTION not just cure. Yes, you are not going to prevent everything, but at least you can help. Here are some of my daily supplements.
Always check for number of mg's per serving.

*Good multi-vitamins (from vitacost.com)if you are not getting enough in your daily diet. Vitacost also has 55+ vitamins. I have compared both and felt this multi-vitamin was sufficient.

*Calcium capsules

*Salmon oil gel capsules (also good for memory)

*Valerian Root capsules when I have a headache or a lot on my mind and cant sleep.

*Turmeric capsules is also good for inflammation and an anti-cancer supplement.

*Hubby and I take Colestroff (it’s a supplement instead of a drug) for our cholesterol. Works great.

*Bromelain capsules for inflamed joints. You can drink pineapple juice (no sugar added) or just the fruit.

*Cranberry capsules. I take two of them once a month for bladder health.*Remember squeeze lemon juice in a glass of water daily. This helps with toxins.