Iron rules of health - 5

[Guest guest]

Happy new year to all. Today, new year based on lunar calendar is

starting. Indians call this day as 'Gudi Padwa' festival day. Let

Kevin predict what this new year starting with Full solar eclipse

will fetch for humanity. Ancient acharyas, recommended eating neem

leaves, as summer is starting now. This 'bitter' start may surprise

some, but the festival calendar of indian culture already accomodates

ayurveda recommended lifestyle. Sesame seed items on Makar Sankranti

for instance. Diseases caused by Pitta excess will assume full force

in few days. Before they do any damage, ayurveda discussion is

initiated under 'prevention' approach.

 

In last four posts in this series, we saw how a series of measures

are needed to obtain good health. Taking care of cellular toxemia and

nutrition ensures good health, since this intelligence is buit in the

body by creator. From this post onwards we discuss details of each

step in the roadmap to health. The most important is the

detoxification of the filtration organs of the body first, since

internal doctor gets activated. This post focuses on detoxification

of liver, gall bladder and kidney. Taking some of the fruit juices

mentioned in the last post is adequate for kidney detox, but liver

detox requires firther discussion. Vaidyas mention that 80% diseases

originate from constipation (or colon, as colon is one seat of

Prana). One of the prominent epidemic – obesity, requires that fat

stored in liver be reduced first, in order that obesity reduction

methods show success. Even fertility and sex life is governed by

liver to some extent. The 8 day detox programme mentioned in message#

5820 does help in liver detoxification to some extent and represents

a simple `home detox' if Basti+Enima is omitted. In medical

astrology, liver health is assumed to be governed by planet Jupiter,

satvic in nature. Also govern progency, thus indicating how fertility

is connected to liver health. While strong stomach acids may enable

one to digest heavy proteins and fats in non-vegetarian foods,

ultimate benefit will be decided by ability of liver to convert the

food nutritional content to higher dhatus, and take care of greater

amount of toxins produced by these foods. If one looks at drug data

base of mainstream medicine, it will be found that most medicines are

contraindicated if there are liver or kidney related problems present

already and most medicines will slow down liver and kidney. Ayurveda

too knows this fact, hence elaborate purification protocols.

 

Importance of liver can be appreciated by knowing its working

briefly. Liver gets clogged by toxins due to endotoxins and

exotoxins. Exotoxins come from outside the body through all

environmental products inhaled, absorbed through skin, medication,

poor diet, inadequate body hydration and household chemicals. These

are

passed from the intestines to the liver (via the portal vein), where

they can be detoxified.

Endotoxins are generated inside our bodies. When digestion is poor,

bactercia in the gut

act upon undigested food particles and create toxins. These toxins,

in turn, can damage the mucosal lining of the intestine, which

increases its permeability and

allows toxins to enter the bloodstream and gain systemic access to

all areas of the body.

 

The liver, the chemical plant in our body, acts like a filter for all

toxins. One of

its primary functions being management of the detoxification process,

along with the colon, kidneys, skin and lungs. This changes harmful

toxins into substances that can be safely eliminated from the body.

Bile secretion is one of the liver's most important functions. A

healthy liver makes approximately 400 ml bile per day which serves as

a carrier medium for the elimination of toxins. If the liver is not

working properly and is sluggish due to toxic overload, toxins build

up and cause inflammation and oxidative stress. The body is thus

subjected to cell damage from free radicals (highly reactive and

damaging chemical compounds).

 

The liver transforms fat-soluble toxins into a water-soluble form so

they can be released through the kidneys (for elimination through the

urine) and into the bile (for elimination through the colon). This

transformation occurs through a two-phase enzyme process. In first

phase of detoxification, 50 to 100 liver enzymes metabolize or

chemically break down toxins absorbed from the intestinal tract, as

well as hormones, alcohol, nicotine, drugs and a wide variety of

chemicals from food and water. As a result of first phase

detoxification, toxins are neutralized and released into bile or made

water-soluble so the kidneys can excrete them in urine. More complex

toxins are converted to a more chemically active form called active

intermediaries (pharmaceutical drugs are examples of toxins that

require conversion to become active intermediaries). These molecular

intermediaries are often even more toxic than the original substance

and therefore, can do significant damage if they're not promptly

eliminated.

 

In second phase of liver detoxification, these active

intermediaries must be converted a second time where they are

combined with mineral compounds, amino acids or other biochemicals

that are water-soluble. It is only after this second phase conversion

that they can safely be excreted in the urine and the bile.

 

Toxins may build up in the body if either phase of detoxifications is

inefficient or overloaded. People most likely to experience liver-

related health problems are those who have rapid first phase

activity, but depressed second phase function. Here active

intermediaries accumulate, often causing more damage than the

original toxins due to their increased toxicity level. People with

this particular pattern of dysfunction tend to develop environmental

sensitivities and drug intolerances. Milk intolerance is also

possible.

 

Success of detoxification process in the liver depends upon

availability of specific nutrients. In the absence of any of these

nutrients, the liver's detoxification process is impaired. The liver

can continue functioning when as much as 70% of its capacity is lost.

Amazingly, people often consider themselves to be in good health,

despite the fact that they may exhibit symptoms that are often not

recognized as liver-related. Experienced vaidyas recognize liver

clogging either by pulse diagnosis, nadi vigyan sensitive points, or

palpation of liver area. Local hardness, coldness, soreness will

reveal liver clogging. Nabhi chakra pulse or displacement is also an

indicator. It is interesting to note that nabhi chakra displacement

can be diagnosed by examining feet and palms. Confirmation can be

obtained by nabhi pulse. When liver function is inadequate, toxins

are re-circulated and eventually stored in fatty tissues, including

the cells of the brain and central nervous system. The slow release

of these toxins into the bloodstream is a major factor in the

development of chronic disease. Such diseases and their symptoms may

include:

 

- Jaundice and pale stools, heavy stolls sinking in water,

sticky stools

- Muscle Cramps, fatigue, loss of energy after little work.

- Allergies to various foods, sensitivities to certain chemical

- Difficulty losing weight, continuous weight gain

- Depressed appetite, gas, acidity, sneezes when cold water hits

head, digestive Complaints, drowsiness after eating

- Pain Under Right Shoulder Blade, Pain in the right side

- Poor tolerance to fatty Foods, metallic taste in mouth

- Weak tendons, ligaments and muscles

- Pre menstrual syndrome or dysmenorrhea

- Skin problems, itching, eczema, psoriasis etc

- Nausea, headaches

- Emotional excess, depression

 

Everyone should undertake liver cleansing in March and September end,

near equinox time, for prevention or recovery from chronic disease.

Reasons for such diseases are overload of the liver, with 80%

probability. Liver is the energy engine of our body. Everyone knows

how an automobile runs after engine overhaul.

 

Liver cleanse can be carried out in three stages separately or

together, depending upon intensity of the problem. These involve

flushing the stored toxins out, help of a enzyme rich diet and

herbal/antioxidants formulas. A liver/gallbladder flush can be useful

to stimulate the flow of bile and soften and eliminate stones from

the gallbladder and liver. Such a flush should however, only be

performed under the supervision of a healer. The herbal formula for

kidney and liver are often compounded to suit each individual.

Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is very important while on a liver-

cleanse because they are high in fiber, water, vitamins and minerals.

Adequate water intake will help to dilute toxins, and fiber will

escort them out of the body. Certain vitamins and minerals are needed

for first phase detoxification. Few important points need to be

noted when taking juices. Some nutrition authorities recommend

separating the juices from the fibrous materials before consuming

them. This way, much of the nutritional benefit of a large amount of

fruit or vegetable may be obtained simply by drinking a glass of

juice. We can, of course, drink far more juice than we can

comfortably eat whole vegetables. This amounts to engineering the

food however. Nature has provided proper cocktail of fiber, sugar,

enzymes etc. by removing the fiber, an important part of food is

lost. Unlike cooked food, the nutrients found in juices retain their

natural molecule structure, which the body recognizes instantly and

puts to work immediately-without a lengthy digestion time. We are

ingesting live food that's why we feel better.

Let us take a pause here to discuss the health of future generation.

Author would especially like to emphasize that these natural courses

can be offered to even babies. For instance, raw carrot juice is

excellent for babies. It can be mixed with milk and fed as soon as

the baby needs a little more than just mother's milk. However, carrot

juice can be started only after baby has some teeth out (Why?).

Straight carrot juice can be fed to babies after they are weaned; it

provides the pro-vitamin beta-carotene as well as minerals and

contributes to rich blood and good skin color. There will be no

colic, cradle cap or skin rash-reactions often seen in babies given

formula. And fresh carrot juice continues to be invaluable to growing

children, who will drink the naturally sweet juice when it is

sometimes impossible to coax them to eat their vegetables. For

adolescents, carrot juice aids the normal development of glands and

prevents, or helps overcome acne. The daily dose of enzymes alone,

which are not available from cooked foods (because enzymes do not

survive heat over 118F or 48C), will make a difference in how we

feel. Enzymes act like the catalyst-or spark plugs- for a well

functioning metabolism; without them there is no digestion. It is

true that the body produces most enzymes on its own, but as we grow

older our bodies make less and less digestive enzymes. As we slow

down, so too does our digestion.

Returning to liver cleanse, an abundant intake of leafy vegetables

and sprouts, as well as foods rich in B vitamins (whole grains) and

vitamin C (peppers, tomatoes and citrus fruit) will ensure that the

first phase detoxification system is working well. Brightly colored

fruits and vegetables contain powerful antioxidants that help combat

the damaging free radicals generated from toxins and first phase

liver detoxification. Juicing these foods can be especially

beneficial because in this predigested state, 100% of their food

value becomes available to the body. Good vegetables to juice to are

beets, spinach, carrots, cabbage and cucumbers. The juices of Beet,

Carrot, Potato, Celery are recommended in Breuss Cancer Diet. Juices

of coriander, mint, watermelon, cranberry are added to obtain kidney

cleanse simultaneiously. Black berries (Jamun) are especially good

for Liver, but require no juicing, can be had straight. Nutrient

dense super foods in the form of green drinks are an excellent

addition to the daily diet, providing the full spectrum of nutrients

in a usable form.

 

While fried, greasy foods are to be avoided, we want to get plenty of

good oils, especially those rich in essential fatty acids. Flax seeds

contain some useful fatty acids. Unrefined varieties of sesame and

olive oil may be used for cooking, as Indian cow ghee is difficult to

get. Fatty acids provide a good help in tackling Vata related

neurological problems.

 

The post is mainly for educational purpose and each person,

especially if suffering from chronic diseases mentioned in the post,

should carry out liver cleanse under the supervision of nearest

ayurvedic vaidya. Next post in this series, to be posted next week,

will address the breathing techniques to enrich the cells with

oxygen.

 

dr bhate