Liver problems: Common problems and how to avoid them

[Guest guest]

> Re:Liver problems: Common problems and how to avoid them

>

>

> Yes, Overall a good article and non-threatening.

> Kombucha has been taken with much proclaimed success by those with severe

> liver disorders - despite what the articles says. BUT each person is an

> individual and when one has any liver disorders - those in a compromised

> position - there is a risk. AND one has to be aware of them as

> ignorance is

> directly related to one's own health.

>

> No one is saying kombucha _causes_ liver damage.

> Without any doubt a liver disorder can make many things suspect.There has

> been limited research showing kombucha does affects the liver. Most people

> attribute this to a health benefit.

>

> Acetic Acid from Kombucha and Lactic Acid from kefir are all weak acids.

> When ingested, they react with minerals such as Calcium, Sodium, Potassium

> and Magnesium in the body tissue and blood, to form alkalies.

> This reaction

> is termed Alkaline-forming foods. However you have to be very careful in

> not over doing this as it will rob your body of ionic minerals --- if in

> excess. A cup or two is fine, but large amounts of these acids are not a

> good idea. How much KT is a relative term. How healthy, how sick, how old

> are you?

>

> We are finding that foods, like garlic, leafy greens, herbs like

> red clover,

> garlic and ginseng, ferments like red yeasts, tea like pu-erh tea, and tap

> water (chlorine) do interact with prescription drugs - to the determent of

> the patient. I am not advocating not to partake of these things. I do say

> prescription drugs are dangerous and poisonous and should be avoided.

>

> The article recommends to talk to your prescribing physician regarding the

> drug-herb-food interaction. This is excellent suggestion. I would add to

> make sure and ask the physician what is their expertise in this possible

> interaction and what is their source?

>

> How this (kombucha) adversely affects the liver is speculation. One might

> simply say that it is not kombucha. It may be the calcium and potassium

> levels in the distressed individual that is the cause.

>

> As a herbalist I know that herbs and foods can help one regain

> their health.

> I know that herbs and foods affect one's body.

>

> Have a joyous and prosperous new year

>

> Peace

>

> Ed Kasper LAc. & family

> www.HappyHerbalist.com

>

I really appreciate your scientific explanations and references. It really

helps with understanding what is happening.

This knowledge helps with my own decision making process in making informed

choices.

thanks.

[Guest guest]

Mayo Clinic

Liver problems: Common problems and how to avoid them

Your liver is one of your body's largest and most important organs. It's very

resilient, but it isn't indestructible. Learn about liver problems and how to

avoid liver problems.

Your liver is located just under your rib cage on the right side of your

abdomen, it's about the size of a football, weighs 3 to 4 pounds and performs

hundreds of vital functions. Without it, you couldn't digest food and absorb

nutrients, get rid of toxic substances from your body or stay alive.

Serious complications can arise if you develop liver problems. Some liver

problems can't be prevented, such as those that are inherited, but you can take

an active role in preventing other liver problems. Learn to identify symptoms of

liver problems and how to avoid them.

Your liver's role in keeping you healthy

Liver anatomy

Everything you eat, drink, breathe and absorb through your skin eventually

reaches your liver. It controls a process called metabolism, in which your liver

breaks down nutrients into usable byproducts. These byproducts are delivered to

the rest of your body by your bloodstream. Your liver also breaks down toxins

into byproducts that can be safely eliminated.

Your liver serves as a storage depot for sugar (glucose), which it releases when

you need energy. Your liver also works as a chemical factory, producing many

substances that perform vital tasks in your body. Examples include bile, a fluid

that carries away waste and helps digest fat in the small intestine, and

cholesterol, a substance needed by every cell in your body.

Liver problems: What can go wrong

Liver problems

Your liver is very resilient in the face of liver problems. It can remain

functional after losing most of its cells to disease. It can regenerate in a few

weeks — even after much of it has been removed during surgery.

But your liver isn't indestructible — liver problems are possible. Excessive

alcohol consumption over many years is a leading cause of liver disease. Too

much alcohol can make a normal liver swell with fat, causing a condition called

fatty liver. If the fat becomes inflamed, it can lead to either alcoholic

hepatitis, a liver problem that causes serious but often reversible liver

damage, or cirrhosis, which causes irreversible liver damage. Because of

extensive scarring, a cirrhotic liver shrinks to a fraction of its normal size.

Viral hepatitis can lead to serious liver problems and is the most common type

of liver disease. Hepatitis causes inflammation of the liver. The three types of

hepatitis viruses — hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C — can all be

prevented.

Signs and symptoms of liver problems: What to watch for

Signs and symptoms of liver problems include:

Discolored skin and eyes that appear yellowish

Abdominal pain and swelling

Itchy skin that doesn't seem to go away

Dark urine color

Pale stool color

Bloody or tar-colored stool

Chronic fatigue

Nausea

Loss of appetite

To keep your liver healthy and avoid any potential liver problems, see your

doctor if you have any signs or symptoms that concern you.

Prevent liver problems: How to protect your liver

Here are the most important things you can do to protect your liver:

Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. Over many years, more than one drink a

day for women and more than two drinks a day for men may be enough to lead to

cirrhosis. Use of certain drugs, including some illegal drugs, also can cause

liver disease.

Don't mix other drugs with alcohol. Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) can be toxic

to the liver even if you drink in moderation.

Get vaccinated. If you're at increased risk of contracting hepatitis or if

you've already been infected with any form of the hepatitis virus, talk to your

doctor about getting the hepatitis B vaccine. A vaccine is also available for

hepatitis A.

Use medications wisely. Only use prescription and nonprescription drugs when you

need them and take only the recommended doses. Talk to your doctor before mixing

herbal supplements or prescription or nonprescription drugs.

Beware of certain supplements. Herbal supplements that can be toxic to the liver

include kava, comfrey, chaparral, kombucha tea, pennyroyal and skullcap. Also

avoid high doses of vitamins A, D, E and K.

Avoid contact with other people's blood and body fluids. Hepatitis viruses can

be spread by accidental needle sticks, improper cleanup of blood or body fluids,

and sharing intravenous needles. It's also possible to become infected by

sharing razor blades or toothbrushes or by having unsafe sex.

Be careful with aerosol sprays. When you use an aerosol cleaner, make sure the

room is ventilated, or wear a mask. Take similar protective measures when

spraying insecticides, fungicides, paint and other toxic chemicals.

Watch what gets on your skin. When using insecticides and other toxic chemicals,

cover your skin with gloves, long sleeves, a hat and a mask.

Don't eat too many fatty foods. Your liver makes all the cholesterol your body

needs. Eating a well-balanced, nourishing diet will help your liver do its job

properly. A regular exercise program will help keep your liver healthy, too.

Watch your weight. Even if you don't drink alcohol, obesity can cause a

condition called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which may include fatty

liver, hepatitis and cirrhosis.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/liver/DG00038

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