GHS Natural Health Blog

Your liver is amazing, without it you couldn’t digest your food, absorb nutrients or dispose of toxic substances from your body. Protecting your liver does much for your overall health and wellbeing.
 
Signs your liver needs help

• Digestive upset (ie. Discomfort after eating fatty meals)
• Difficulty metabolising alcohol
• Bowel upset (ie. diarrhoea, constipation, flatulence)
• Jaundice (a yellowing, sickly tone to the skin and eyes)
• Increased sensitivity to allergens, itching skin
• Increased cholesterol levels
• General feeling of fatigue and being unwell

Eating a rich overindulgent meal can leave you feeling ‘full’ and sick. This is typical of the symptoms people with liver problems experience on a regular basis because their liver is unable to digest fats properly. Fats by their very chemical structure are the hardest food component for your body to digest, that’s why they keep you feeling full for so long, unlike simple sugars which give you a quick energy burst. Lifestyle factors and the natural ageing process mean that many of us do not breakdown fats as well as we should. Those who regularly consume excessive amounts of alcohol may also suffer from what is termed a ‘fatty liver’.
 
What does your liver do?
 
The liver is one of your body’s most vital organs and plays a key role in most metabolic processes. All aspects of your health rely on a properly functioning liver, since it is the body’s major organ for processing nutrients, metabolites, pollutants and excess hormones; essentially your liver is like a waste disposal factory for your body. The liver cleans the body’s blood supply of dangerous toxic substances by chemically processing them so they can be excreted via the bile, and is vital for fat, carbohydrate and protein metabolism. It makes the blood lipoproteins (LDL and HDL) which regulate cholesterol, as well as making clotting factors and other substances crucial for the blood’s functions.
 
While the liver is able to regenerate after damage, the broad spectrum of toxins it faces including alcohol, prescription and over-the-counter medications, viruses and other toxic agents, can threaten the capacity of the liver to process and eliminate these bodily wastes. The body’s defences are overwhelmed and these toxins tend to accumulate in the body’s fat cells. The body is able to process some of these toxins naturally through the production of bile. Like the way detergent cleans grease off dishes, the liver creates bile to emulsify fats, breaking them down into smaller molecules. Bile helps excrete toxins, promoting a cleaner, healthier liver. However, those with a poorly functioning liver may not produce enough bile for this vital function to occur effectively enough. Changing to a healthier lifestyle will improve liver health; however factors such as exposure to viruses, pharmaceuticals and toxins are often beyond your control.
 
Herbal help
 
A poorly functioning liver can affect you in various ways (see above), the good news is that a medicinal herb used as far back as the fourth century BC can help boost liver health and help improve its performance.

This medicinal herb is Globe Artichoke, nowadays it is primarily used as a liver remedy and to help reduce fat levels circulating in the blood. Globe Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) stimulates the secretion of bile, which assists in the clearing of fats, cholesterol and toxins. Popular in Europe for the treatment of mild dyspepsia and indigestion (particularly following a meal high in fat), Globe Artichoke can also help to maintain normal, healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels when used in conjunction with a low fat diet.
 
Much attention has recently centred on Globe Artichoke’s active component, cynarin which is largely found in the leaves. However, it is likely that many other compounds, some related to cynarin, contribute to the observed therapeutic effects. Results from clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of Globe Artichoke in the treatment of dysfunctions of the liver and gall bladder, digestive complaints such as the sensation of fullness, loss of appetite, nausea and abdominal pain. In a randomised controlled study of 274 patients with functional dyspesia, physicians concluded that the overall effectiveness of Globe Artichoke was judged to be significant. The extract dose used in trials to produce an effect was 1920 mg.1 As well as protecting the liver from toxins, Globe Artichoke supports the natural regeneration of liver cells. Studies show this herb is well tolerated but those with allergies to Globe Artichoke or other members of the daisy family of plants should avoid its use. People with existing liver or gall bladder conditions should seek the advice of a healthcare professional before using Globe Artichoke to treat their condition.
 
Foods your liver loves

• Fresh vegetables, particularly cruciferous ones such as broccoli and cabbage.
• ‘Green foods’ such as spinach, spirulina and wheatgrass are liver-friendly.
• Vitamin C-rich foods such as citrus fruit, strawberries, red capsicum, dark green vegetables and kiwi fruit, boost anti-oxidant levels that protect the liver and help the body’s healing processes.
• A diet low in saturated fats – these are hard for the liver to process.
• Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines) provide an excellent source of omega-3 fats which helps combat inflammation, a side effect of some liver conditions.
• Snack on nuts and seeds. Brazil nuts are a good source of selenium, a powerful anti-oxidant. Almonds, sunflower or pumpkin seeds are another nutritious choice.

Herbs & Health tips for liver health this holiday season

• Reduce consumption of caffeine, sugary foods, saturated fats and products made from processed white flour.
• Stop smoking – it adds more toxic chemicals for the liver to process and stay out of smoky enclosed areas.
• Reduce exposure to chemicals in the home and workplace as much as possible – use natural cleaning product alternatives, such as eucalyptus oil and bicarb soda.
• Drink at least two litres of water a day, to flush out the liver. Adding a squeeze of lemon juice or chlorophyll also helps.
• Breathe deeply to assist the liver in detoxifying, as the liver is dependent on the amount of oxygen coming in through the lungs.
• Aerobic exercise (even walking) helps for the same reason.
• If you are planning to party this holiday season, make sure your control your alcohol intake and perhaps take a Nature’s Sunshine Globe Artichoke capsule daily to help protect your liver and support healthy liver function.

Coronary heart disease is the largest single cause of death in Australia, with stroke the second. These frightening facts are sending out a clear message – look after your heart now!
 
According to the Heart Foundation, cardiovascular disease (CVD) was the leading cause of death in 2000, ahead of all other causes of death including cancer. CVD accounted for 39 per cent of all Australian deaths, and around 40,000 Australians suffer a stroke each year, 70 per cent of which are first-ever strokes. In 2001 the National Health Survey, indicated that 90 per cent of Australians have at least one cardiovascular risk factor (see box). People who are physically inactive are nearly twice as likely to have a fatal or nonfatal coronary event than those who do moderate levels of activity.
 
Which heart disease is that?
 
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) refers to heart, stroke and blood vessel disease. The underlying cause of most CVD is a gradual clogging of the arteries that supply blood to the heart, brain and other vital organs. Called atherosclerosis, this clogging generally occurs because of a build-up of fatty deposits due to a long-term diet high in fat.
 
Coronary heart disease (CHD) occurs when the coronary arteries that supply the heart with oxygen become clogged. The flow of blood is reduced and the heart has difficulty meeting the demands placed on it to pump harder, for example, during exercise. CHD can lead to angina or heart attack. Angina pectoris literally means ‘a strangling feeling in the chest’ and is caused by lack of blood and oxygen to the heart.
 
How can I prevent heart disease?
 
Risk Factors

• Smoking
• Physical Inactivity
• High blood pressure
• Overweight
• Diabetes
• High Cholesterol
• Excessive alcohol consumption

Eighty percent of coronary heart disease (CHD) can be prevented by good lifestyle choices. These include regular physical activity, such as brisk walking or anything else that makes you reach a sweat, undertaken for at least 30 minutes at least three times a week. Diet is another important consideration. Eating fatty foods can cause cholesterol and plaque to accumulate on artery walls, so cut down on these. However, don’t eliminate all fats; you still need to consume good fats, such as essential fatty acids found in avocados and oily fish. Include more wholegrains in your diet as well as foods with a low glycaemic index (low GI), such as oats and brown rice that keep you feeling full for longer. Include plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit every day and also healthy sources of protein, such as lean meat and chicken.
 
Hearty Hawthorn
 
The fruit of the Hawthorn Berry (Crataegus laevigata) has been used traditionally in Europe for hundreds of years to support the cardiovascular system (CVS). Both the berries of the plant and its leaves contain OPCs, a well researched anti-oxidant that is also found in the herb Ginkgo biloba. The berries, however, contain other anti-oxidants in the form of polyphenols, which increase healing power by preventing free-radical damage. In western herbal medicine Hawthorn is considered the most significant herb for ischemic heart disease and there is considerable evidence to support this. Studies show that Hawthorn increases coronary blood flow, decreases blood pressure (when it is high) and allows better use of available oxygen. It also protects against heart muscle damage, improves heart rate variability, has lipid-lowering properties, a protective action against diet-induced high cholesterol and may also reduce fatty deposits in the liver and aorta. It may take between two and six weeks before you will notice a benefit from taking Hawthorn, so monitor blood pressure and heart rate during this time. As Hawthorn is a potent beta blocker in its own right, do not take it in combination with prescription beta blockers unless under supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.
 
Amazing Garlic
 
Apart from being one of the best culinary herbs we have, garlic also demonstrates a number of beneficial therapeutic actions, particularly on the cardiovascular system. These include the ability to reduce cardiovascular risk factors, possibly lower lipid levels, decrease serum cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure and provide an anti-platelet effect. Because of these properties, Garlic should not be taken in conjunction with blood thinning medications such as warfarin.
 
Warming Capsicum
 
Another traditional spice used in cooking is Capsicum, also known as Cayenne, it has an extensive history of use due to its ability to warm blood and improve circulation. Any herbal heart formula will therefore benefit from this warming herb.
 
Energising Coenzyme Q10
 
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a naturally occurring compound that is found in every cell in the body, and in particularly high concentrations in heart muscle cells. Unfortunately, production tends to diminish with age. For people in their 40s and 50s supplementation with CoQ10 may help combat diminishing levels of CoQ10 and keep hearts functioning optimally. Supplementation with CoQ10 is also thought to increase energy production in the heart muscle and therefore increase the strength of the pumping action. For people with high blood pressure CoQ10 may also help to lower it. CoQ10 may also reduce oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol. Recently, CoQ10 supplementation has been recommended when taking statin medications. Used to lower cholesterol, statin drugs also deplete the body’s natural reserves of CoQ10. Those with a personal or family history of heart disease, or with high cholesterol, should consider a daily supplement of CoQ10. Dosages vary according to weight and the extent of CVD, but the general recommendation is 75 mg daily for general health benefits and up to 150 mg daily as a therapeutic dose. If you have a history of heart disease or are currently taking any prescription heart medications, always discuss your individual needs with your healthcare professional before undertaking any alternate therapy.

A highly polyunsaturated oil like Safflower oil in it’s expeller-pressed, natural state, is desirable for it’s ability to provide the raw material for the formation of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are vital hormone-like compounds that strengthen cell membranes and regulate every function in the body at the molecular level. Safflower’s ability to help form prostaglandins is just one of its virtues.

Cis-linoleic acid, the omega-6 fatty acid in safflower oil is responsible for prostaglandin production and is a catalyst for burning brown fat. Brown fat is the inner body fat that surrounds vital organs and acts as a fat-burning factory, using calories for heat rather than storing them as white fat. During normal metabolism, cis-linoleic acid converts to GLA (gamma linolenic acid). GLA then stimulates the body’s brown fat into a flurry of calorie-burning activity. When brown fat is active on a regular basis, the body is best able to maintain its ideal weight.

Safflower oil is an oil expressed from the seeds of the safflower plant, a member of the sunflower family. Regular safflower oil, has a fatty acid profile of 79 percent polyunsaturates, 13 percent monounsaturates and just 8 percent saturated fats. Safflower oil is used mainly as a cooking oil, in salad dressing, and for the production of margarine.

Monounsaturated safflower oil is very shelf-stable, although it should still be stored in a cool dry place out of the light to prevent it from going rancid. It is odorless and colorless, with a very high smoking point which means that it can be used for deep frying and other high-heat cooking methods. Polyunsaturated safflower oil, which is also colorless and tasteless, needs to be handled much more carefully, because it goes rancid very easily. It should not be subjected to heat, and some people even recommend storing it in the fridge.

There are two distinct types of safflower oil, each with very different uses; Monounsaturated safflower oil and polyunsaturated safflower oil.

Monounsaturated safflower oil is high in oleic acid and is used as a heat-stable cooking oil. Like other products high in oleic acid, monounsaturated safflower oil is not terribly beneficial to human health.

Polyunsaturated safflower oil is high in linoleic acid and is used as a cold oil. This oil has a great deal of nutritional value, making it an excellent choice for dressings and other applications in which a cold carrier oil can be useful. Polyunsaturated oils are fragile. When exposed to heat, light or oxygen, they can quickly turn rancid and lose their ability to function.

In addition to being used in food production, safflower oil also appears as a medium for painting, and as a component in a wide variety of commercial products. Safflower oil is also used in painting in the place of linseed oil, particularly with white, as it does not have the yellow tint which linseed oil possesses. Traditionally, safflower crops were grown for their seeds, and used for colouring and flavouring foods, in medicines, and making red (carthamin) and yellow dyes.

References:

WiseGeek
BNET
Wikipedia

Shock can sometimes develop as the result of injury or sudden illness, or bleeding. When the body cannot get enough blood to the vital organs , it goes into shock. Sometimes even the mildest injury can lead to shock.

Shock is a life-threatening condition. If a person develops signs of shock, call the emergency service America – 911/Australia – 000 and begin home treatment immediately.

Signs of shock include:

• Cool, pale, clammy skin
• Low blood pressure
• Weak, fast pulse
• Shallow, fast breathing (see counting respiration rate)
• Extreme thirst, nausea, or vomiting
• Weakness, dizziness, and fainting
• Confusion or anxiety

Prompt home treatment can save the person’s life:

1. Call the emergency service (America – 911/Australia – 000)
2. Try to keep the person calm.
3. Have the person lie down. If there is an injury to the head, neck, or chest, keep the legs flat.
4. Otherwise, raise the person’s legs at least 12 in.
5. If the person vomits, roll him or her to one side to let fluids drain from the mouth. Use care if there could be an injury to the back or neck.
6. Stop any bleeding (see stopping severe bleeding), and splint any broken bones (see splinting).
7. Keep the person warm but not hot. Put a blanket under the person, and cover him or her with a sheet or blanket, depending on the weather. If the person is in a hot place, try to keep the person cool.
8. Take the person’s pulse in case medical staff on the phone need to know what it is. See how to take a pulse. Take it again if the person’s condition changes.