Natural Remedies for Liver problems

Your liver is the largest organ inside your body and is quite overburdened with a lot of work it has to do. It has to produce bile which digests your food and give you all the essential nutrients. Your liver also regulates the levels of protein, fats and sugar in your bloodstream. It has to metabolize various drugs as well as alcohol that you so like. Not only this, liver continuously work to remove all the wastes and toxins from your body that you accumulate all through the day. 

That’s quite a work! When liver performs so many functions, it is but natural that it is left to equal number of risks to handle. Thus, there is not one or two but a whole lot of liver diseases that you have to keep at bay! Liver Cirrhosis; Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E; Jaundice; Fatty Liver are only few of the common liver diseases. There are many others. Some of these can be managed with natural home remedies and some of them need advanced medical attention including surgery too. Here we shall talk about only those liver diseases that can be to an extent cured or prevented through home remedies.

Three Stages of Liver Diseases

Let’s first talk about the three stages of liver diseases so that you may contain the issue right at the beginning by curing liver disease at the first stage itself. The three stages of liver diseases are:

1.      Fatty Liver

2.      Hepatitis (Liver Inflammation) which may lead to Jaundice

3.      Liver Cirrhosis (Liver Fibrosis)

1st Liver Disease: Natural Home Remedies for Fatty Liver

Fatty liver (steatosis hepatitis) is the initial stage of any liver disease when one should get alerted and start taking care of liver. It is mainly a diet and lifestyle related disease. If left untreated, fatty liver may lead to more serious liver diseases like cirrhosis and even liver cancer. Fatty liver is a condition when your liver gets enlarged due to accumulation of fat cells. Fatty liver can be nonalcoholic or alcohol induced. When liver is overloaded with such toxins as alcohol and/or fat, it has to work harder and thus it burns at a faster rate but is unable to convert the fat into energy. So, if you feel a sudden loss of appetite, pain in upper right abdominal area, lethargy, heartburn, acidity and your body slows down due to fatigue, you should consider checking yourself for fatty liver disease. If you are obese or diabetic, the risk is much more than you could imagine. To eliminate fatty liver as the reason for your condition, get it diagnosed through medical tests. And if it turns out to be a fatty liver, you must change your diet and lifestyle to get rid of it. There are of course, certain herbal remedies for fatty liver too but most of the times, changes in diet and lifestyle is only what is needed to cure the liver condition.

1. Diet Remedies for Fatty Liver

These are some diet rules to follow if you have a fatty liver.

• Avoid bad carbohydrates- like refined flour and sugar, white bread, pastries, sodas, and other processed or refined foods. They get converted into triglycerides- the type of fat which gets accumulated into liver.
• Have healthy carbohydrates- like unprocessed or least processed whole grains, vegetables, fruits and beans.
• Avoid bad fat- these are saturated fats and trans fats. Thus avoid high fat meat like beef, lamb, pork, chicken with skin, whole fat dairy products, butter, cheese, ice cream, lard etc. Cut back on trans-fats by avoiding commercially baked pastries, cookies, muffins, cakes, dough nuts, packaged snacks like crackers and chips, stick margarine, vegetable shortening, fried foods, candy bars etc.
• Have good fats- these are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Choose cold pressed oil for cooking and those that have omega 3 fatty acids. Some of the good oils include olive oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, peanut oil, sesame oil. Have more of avocados, olives, nuts including almonds, peanuts, hazelnuts, pecans, peanut butter. These are all monounsaturated fats. For polyunsaturated fats, you may have soybean oil, corn oil, safflower oil, walnuts, sunflower, sesame, and pumpkin seeds, flaxseed, fatty fish like salmon, tuna, mackerel, herring, trout, sardines, soymilk, tofu etc. While good fats are good, anything in excessive amounts convert itself into bad! Remember that.
• Check seasoning- Use lesser salt and sugar. You may like to start using healthier seasoning like lemon juice or vinegar to cut on salt consumption. Use organic honey as a substitute for refined sugar.
• Use healthy spices- while cooking your dishes, consider using such spices as turmeric and cumin. They can excellently heal fatty liver conditions.

2. Lifestyle Remedies for Fatty Liver

Along with changes in diet, you should bring some changes in the style of your living.

• Limit alcohol intake- alcohol is one of the major causes for fatty liver. When you have this condition, totally stop having alcohol. Once you get rid of your fatty liver, you should maintain the safe limit of its consumption if you cannot totally leave having it. Twenty grams per day is what is called the actual safe limit for alcohol. More than that and you can damage your liver.

• Lose weight- Being overweight or obese can be life risking. Reduce weight by following healthy diet and exercising regularly.

• Exercise regularly- nothing can beat this. Not only for fatty liver, exercising is good for your overall health. Exercise for at least 30 minutes every day. If you ask about special exercises for liver, jogging and aerobics are particularly good for your liver.

2nd Liver Disease: Natural Home Remedies for Hepatitis

When your liver gets inflammed, you suffer from hepatitis. While the causes of the different types of hepatitis (A, B, C and so on) differ from each other but they all lead to inflammation of liver cells. Viral hepatitis are caused by virus attacks. The most common types of viral hepatitis are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C from among which hepatitis A is the least threatening one. When you feel the symptoms of hepatitis such as loss of appetite, heaviness on the right side of your abdomen, tiredness, itching, pale and grayish stool and even jaundice, you should immediately apply some home remedies. Consulting your physician in a day or two when you are not able to control the disease is a wise thing to do so as to save your liver as well as yourself

3. Carom Cumin Seed Remedy for Hepatitis

Get this:
• Carom seeds- 1 tsp
• Cumin seeds- 1tsp
• Rock salt- a pinch of it
Do this:
• Dry roast carom seeds and cumin seeds
• Ground the two roasted seeds to get their powder.
• Mix them well and add a pinch of rock salt to this. Mix well again.
• Have this spice mix twice a day. You can have them in powdered form swallow them with water.

4. Licorice Honey Remedy for Hepatitis

Get this:
• Licorice powder- 1 tbsp
• Honey- 2 tsp
Do this:
• Add the licorice powder with honey.
• Mix well and have it.
• Have this daily till you get rid of hepatitis.

5. Garlic Remedy for Hepatitis

Garlic is a superfood that not only purifies your blood but also eliminates toxic wastes from your body.
Do this:
• Take 1-2 garlic cloves, peel them and chew them on an empty stomach in the morning daily.
• Include crushed garlic in your dishes daily.

 3rd Liver Disease: Natural Home Remedies for Liver Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis disease of liver works slowly. It gradually replaces the healthy liver tissues with scar tissues. This results into liver not functioning in proper way because the blood flow from and to the liver gets obstructed. With time, the liver reduces in size. The first symptoms of cirrhosis include indigestion, nausea and vomiting. Gradually you start having abdominal pain and lose weight. You may also have bad breath, yellow skin due to jaundice and fever. If the disease is not contained, it worsens further and you get thin red spider-like marks on face, neck, arms and other body parts. Your abdomen may also get bloated with red marks on it.

6. Papaya Seeds- Lemon Juice Remedy for Cirrhosis

Get this:
• Crushed papaya seeds- 1 tbsp
• Lemon juice- 2 tbsp
Do this:
• Place the crushed papaya seeds into a sieve and extract its juice.
• Add lemon juice with juice of crushed papaya seeds.
• Mix well and drink it.
• Have this twice a day for one month.

7. Buttermilk Remedy for Cirrhosis

Get this:
• Buttermilk- 1 glass
• Cumin seeds powder- 1 tsp
Do this:
• Add cumin seeds powder with buttermilk
• Mix well and drink it.
• Have this spiced buttermilk daily.

8. Lemon-Salt Remedy for Cirrhosis

Get this:
• Plain water- 1 glass
• Lemon- half lemon
• Salt- 1 tsp
Do this:
• Add the juice of half lemon in water.
• Add the salt to this.
• Mix well.
• Have this salty lemon juice thrice a day.

9. Carrot-Spinach Remedy for Cirrhosis

Get this:
• 1 carrot
• Few leaves of spinach
Do this:
• Wash the carrot well and chop it.
• Soak the spinach in water for few minutes. Take out the leaves and discard water. Repeat for one more time. This ensures you discard all the soil and dust in the leaves.
• Now grind both carrot and spinach leaves and take out their juice.
• Drink this carrot spinach juice daily.

10. Milk Thistle Remedy for Cirrhosis

Milk thistle herb is not only good for cirrhosis but for overall health of liver. It can not only cure but even restore the lost vigor of your liver. Make milk thistle tea as a liver tonic.
Get this:
• Milk thistle seeds- 2 tsp
• hot water- 1 cup
• Mortar and pestle
Do this:
• Crush the milk thistle seeds with the help of mortar and pestle.
• Place the crushed seeds in a cup.
• Pour hot water over it.
• Let steep for 30 minutes.
• Drink this milk thistle tea daily.
• One cup a day is good for liver.

However, don’t forget that healthy diet along with regular exercise is a key to a healthy liver devoid of any disease! Remember all the ten remedies given here ultimately work to make your liver healthy and disease free no matter at what stage your liver diseases are! Then also, it is recommended to take expert medical help along with these home remedies if a liver disease is diagnosed. After all, we cannot be casual with as important an body organ as liver.

The Benefits of Olive Oil

The health benefits of olive oil include treatment for Colon, Breast Cancer, Diabetes, Heart problems, Arthritis, High cholesterol, Weight Loss, Metabolism, Digestion, Aging and Cancer. It has been used by mankind for many centuries. It is a staple ingredient for many culinary preparations and also serves a variety of medicinal purposes. Medical studies suggest that it is loaded with health benefits.

It helps in lowering of the bad cholesterol level in our blood, as it is rich in monounsaturated fats. The extra virgin olive oil variety contains the highest level of antioxidant polyphenols and oleic acid. It is thus a healthy option compared to other vegetable oils.

But, it also has lots of calories, so it should be used in moderate amounts for the best health results. The Food and Drug Administration recommends 2 tablespoons every day to reduce the risk of heart disease.

Important Sources: Olive oil, as we all know, is essential fruit oil, which we get from the olive tree crop found mainly in the Mediterranean regions. It is utilized for cooking purposes, developing cosmetic products and soaps, for medicinal purposes, and as pharmaceutical supplements. It can also be used as fuel and for lighting lamps. Various types include the following:

Virgin Olive Oil: This variety is used for cooking with a lower acid content.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: This is a much better variety and is made by cold pressing the olive fruit.

Pure Olive Oil: This type is a combination of refined and virgin oils. It contains a highly acidic content.

Lampante Oil: It is used as a fuel and is not recommended for cooking purposes.

Health Benefits of Olive Oil

It has numerous beneficial qualities. Apart from being a good cooking aid, it is also known to have unique medicinal qualities. Some of them are as follows:

Reduce Heart Problems: Natural olive oil contains 70% monounsaturated fatty acid. As a result, it lowers cholesterol accumulation in the blood and reduces heart problems. It reduces the LDL, while at the same time increasing the HDL levels. The website of Montelcastelli Solutions Ltd. provides a table comparing the fatty acid composition of different types of oils.

Blood Cholesterol: LDL cholesterol is the bad type of cholesterol, which increases the risk of heart attacks and pulmonary heart disease. Extra virgin olive oil, which is rich in almost 40 antioxidant chemicals, helps reduce the oxidation effects of LDL cholesterol.

Weight Loss: Medical experts suggest that it is very difficult to gain weight from the mono-unsaturated fats present in olive oil. Experiments involving Mediterranean olive oil have shown positive results in regards to a reduction in human body weight.

Metabolism: Olive oil boosts the metabolism, the growth of good bone structure, and brain development in children. It is an excellent source of vitamin E, which is very beneficial for older people.

Anti-inflammatory and Antimicrobial Properties: The phenols present in olive oil have anti-inflammatory properties. The antimicrobial characteristics of the oil are a result of its strong aroma.

Digestion: Olive oil is known to aid in the digestive process. It is used as a medicinal oil to clean the digestive tract and to improve bowel movements.

Aging Process: Rich in antioxidants, olive oil slows the natural aging process of the human body. Used in cosmetic products and natural herbal therapy, it does wonders for the skin, which gets a natural shine and glow from the enriching oil.

Prevention of Gall Stones: This oil is also effective in preventing gall stones.

Healthy Cell Walls: Olive oil contains polyphenol which helps in stronger cell walls. It also increases the elasticity of arterial walls, protecting against various heart conditions.

Cancer: Olive oil is said to protect the human body against cancerous growth, especially bowel cancer. Medical research done at the prestigious Oxford University has shown positive signs that the acidic content of this oil can prevent the commencement of rectum and bowel cancer. In the UK, bowel cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer, and kills almost twenty thousand citizens every year.

Breast cancer: Recent research study suggests that hydroxytyrosol, a major component of olive oil may help prevent breast cancer in postmenopausal women.

Hypertension: Recent research study suggests that Mediterranean diet comprising of food rich in unsaturated fats (found in olive oil and nuts) and nitrite and nitrate (found in leafy green vegetables) may help protect you from hypertension.

There are several grades of olive oil, according to the flavor, aroma, acidic value and colour. Readers are advised to buy authentic oil with proper evaluation for cooking or medicinal purposes.

Grades of Olive Oil

When you go in the market, you find different types of olive oils. What does extra virgin olive oil mean? What does US Fancy olive oil mean? There are two main types of gradations that you will find, IOOC standards and US standards.

IOOC Standards

The International Olive Oil Council ( IOOC) has released the Trade Standard Applying to Olive Oils and Olive-Pomace Oils. The council has provided descriptions for different types of oils; some of these descriptions are given below:

Virgin Olive Oil: It is the oil that is prepared from purely mechanical and physical means. There is no alteration to the oil after processing. Edible virgin oil has a free acidity of not more than 2 grams per 100 grams. No food additives are permitted in this oil.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: This is a type of edible oil, which has a free acidity content of no more than 0.8 grams per 100 grams. No additives are permitted in this oil.

Ordinary Virgin Olive Oil: This has a free acidity content of no more than 3.3 grams per 100 grams. This oil does not contain any additives.

Lampnate Virgin Olive Oil: This oil is not fit for human consumption. It has a free acidity content of more than 3.3 grams per 100 grams. It is used for refining and technical purposes.

Refined Olive Oil: It is the refined form of virgin olive oil. It has a free acidity content of not more than 0.3 grams per 100 grams.

Olive Oil: This is a blend of refined and edible virgin olive oil. It has a fatty acid content of not more than 1 gram per 100 grams.