Liver | Hepadip

Liver Detox Made Possible With Acupuncture

Posted on June 21, 2019 by Jaiden Watt

There are numerous symptoms that can point you in the direction of having a burdened liver. The liver has various responsibilities to ensure your body is functioning at its prime at all times. However, over time, your liver is going to give you signs that indicate you may need to undergo a liver detox.

These signs and symptoms can sometimes manifest in the following ways:

Bloating
Liver pain
Excessive weight gain
Heartburn
Dark spots/liver spots
High cholesterol
Fatigue
Mood swings
High blood pressure
Sleep apnea

Liver detoxes can be achieved in various ways, however, this post is dedicated to a unique method used in Chinese medicine – acupuncture. Yes, you read that correctly. Chinese medicine was specifically designed to bring harmony and balance in an individual’s body. Acupuncture is used to restore the body back to health. This means, among other things, that acupuncture has the capabilities to restore interrupted sleep patterns which aid body healing, and encourages liver detoxification.

Acupuncture involves the painless insertion of specialized needles into the skin along the meridian points of the body. The needles used in acupuncture are a lot smaller in diameter compared to normal needles used in western medicine practice.

Earlier, we mentioned how acupuncture is used to restore balance and harmony within the human body. Basically, acupuncture is an alternative healing technique that focuses on the balance of one’s Chi energy. This means that when the body’s Chi pathways are blocked, acupuncture allows for the process of elimination to begin to open the pathways which result in the balancing of Chi levels. These Chi levels are also referred to as meridians.

On the topic of effectiveness, the accumulation of a number of acupuncture sessions over a relatively short space of time will result in numerous benefits including restoration and balancing harmony within the body. This harmony entails better quality sleep, pain relief, toxin elimination in the liver, kidneys, gallbladder, and other health benefits.

Acupuncture has been found to treat the following common problems:

Anxiety
PMS
Sports injuries
Fibromyalgia
Bloating
Insomnia
Tension caused by stress
High blood pressure
Depression
Fatigue
Joint pain
Influenza
Migraines

This alternative healing technique is also a fantastic means of relaxation. We all lead lives jam-packed with stress and the constant need to hustle with work, family commitments, and the demands of life in general. Taking that one hour per week to just simply relax while your Chi levels realign could be all that more beneficial to you. Even if it’s just to take timeout to completely relax yourself. Your body will thank you in the future.

Liver Disease and Preventative Measures

Posted on March 10, 2019 by Jaiden Watt

A diseased liver is no laughing matter, especially if you were born with liver problems. Unfortunately, congenital liver issues cannot be cured, however, as and when symptoms arise they can be treated. If you have a family history of liver disease and are worried that you are susceptible to this later on in your life, there are preventative measures that you can take to avoid history repeating itself.

Healthy Weight

A healthy, high-fibre, low-fat diet will help keep the unwanted body weight at bay. This is beneficial in avoiding fat accumulation in the liver which can result in non-alcoholic fatty liver syndrome.

Good Hygiene

Back in your childhood days, it was probably annoying when your mom made you wash your hands before eating your meals or after you’d visited the toilet. Well, she was right, you know. This sort of good hygiene aids in the prevention of hepatitis A. This type of liver disease is contracted and spread by the exposure to infected feces. Wash your hands!

Vaccinations

For preventative measures, you can get your hands on vaccinations for hepatitis A and B. These injections contain donated blood full of immunoglobulins.

Stay Protected

Hepatitis B and C are particularly contagious and are blood-borne. Coming into contact with the blood of an infected person, unprotected sex, the use of unsterilized needles, and the sharing of needles with recreational drug use are a just a few things that can lead to disaster.

Avoid Overdosing and Recreational Drug Use

Doctors these days always warn against the mixing of medications and alcohol. However, the most abused over-the-counter medicine is paracetamol which is used as a painkiller. Lethal doses of this medicine can result in liver failure which can have fatal consequences.

Drug abuse is on the rise every year. Illegal drugs such as cocaine, heroin, meth, and other drugs can cause detrimental and sometimes irreversible liver damage.

Keep It In Moderation

Heavy alcohol consumption over a long period of time can result in many things namely inflammation and liver tissue scarring which as a result causes cirrhosis. Everyone’s alcohol tolerance levels are different, however, moderate consumption of alcohol for men and women should be adhered to as much as possible. Abstain if need be.

Every part of the human body is as important as the oxygen that we breathe. Just like we take the necessary measures to decrease levels of air pollution in our cities, we must have the exact same attitude towards our bodies. Protect your liver as prevention is better than cure.

Amazing Liver Facts You Never Knew!

Posted on December 30, 2018 by Jaiden Watt

Throughout this blog, we have come to learn just how important the liver is in the human body. The liver’s various functions include but are not limited to fighting infections, processing proteins and hormones, blood clotting and so much more. Here, we’ve outlined a few facts that show just how amazing this organ really is!

It’s Complicated

You may not know this but your liver plays a pivotal role in most of the bodily functions. So, yes, it does not have one specific job. The mains functions of the liver are to make and store energy, protein production, immune function, and the metabolizing of medications.

The Biggest of Them All

The liver feels rubbery to the touch and is reddish brown in color. When you’re trying to imagine the size of a human liver, imagine about three pounds in weight. Skin is considered to be the largest external organ, however, the liver is the largest internal organ in the human body.

Two Identities

The liver is not only classified as an organ but also as a gland. This is because the liver filters the blood, eliminating toxins, and pushing them out of the system.

Let There Be Blood

This amazing organ is constantly pumping blood throughout the body every single minute that passes by. Approximately 10% of the blood within your body is held by the liver.

Did You Know?

The first liver transplant happened in 1963 by Dr. Thomas E. Starzl in the USA. Unfortunately, it was not a successful operation due to lack of availability of the correct immunosuppressive drugs. Four years later, the correct immunosuppressives became available and finally, a successful liver transplant occurred.

Let It Grow

Here’s a little fact to blow the mind away – the liver can regenerate! The liver can completely restore itself to its original size within two weeks using as little as 25% of the original liver tissue.

Your Brain Depends On It

The liver is also responsible for the regulation of plasma glucose and ammonia levels. However, non-regulated levels of these can result in hepatic encephalopathy which leads to coma.

Watch That Waist Line

It is vital to keep your weight in check throughout your lifetime as obesity can result in a liver disease known as metabolic syndrome. Despite metabolic syndrome, obesity causes other life-threatening diseases too.

Producer of Fluids

We know that bile is responsible for the processing and absorption of fats. The liver produces bile in small ducts and moves it along to the small intestine through the gallbladder or directly.

Now we have a better understanding of why the human liver is necessary for our survival. It works hard and tirelessly throughout our entire lifetime. So, why should we not do whatever we can to ensure a long lasting and healthier life?

8 Power Foods For Your Liver

Posted on September 30, 2018 by Jaiden Watt

You’ve heard all the rumors about diets that help this and that but lack the time and effort needed to implement a tailor-made diet. Well, there is a solution to that problem. Especially if you’re looking for a way to protect your organs such as the liver. Bearing in mind that the liver is one of the most vital parts of the body aiding in survival.

Here, we have compiled a comprehensive list of super foods and liquids you can easily accommodate into your daily food choices. We are all about liver health promotion here so let’s start with the basics. Ultimately, you want to feel good, eat healthily, and be the best you can be!

Coffee

Scientists have found that coffee actually protects the liver from diseases such as the development of liver cancer and inflammation. This is on the basis of consuming an average of three cups of good quality coffee per day.

Two of the main risk factors for liver disease is the build-up of fat and collagen. Coffee drinking is said to aid in the prevention of these risk factors.

Another benefit of coffee drinking is the increase of an antioxidant called glutathione. This neutralizes harmful free radicals produced naturally by the body and ultimately result in cell damage.

Tea

A specific type of tea has been found to benefit the liver: green tea. It is important to remember that it must be pure green tea and not a tea that contains green tea extracts. Scientists found that people who drink more than four cups of green tea per day for a period of more than 12 weeks benefited greatly. The risk of developing liver disease reduced dramatically and improved liver enzyme levels. Also, fat and oxidative stress deposits in the liver decreased.

Grapefruit

This fruit contains two types of antioxidants that protect the liver. These are naringenin and naringin. The antioxidants aid in the protection of the liver by reducing inflammation and protecting cells.

Berries and Grapes

Consumption of berries and grapes for a period longer than 3-4 weeks has been found to protect the liver from damage. Blueberries, in particular, increased immune cell response and antioxidant enzymes.

Green Vegetables

Green vegetables such as broccoli and spinach are said to increase natural detoxification enzymes. These veggies also help protect the liver from damage and improve blood levels of liver enzymes.

Nuts

A moderately high intake of nuts has been found by scientists to actually improve levels of liver enzymes with patients suffering from Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disorder.

Fish

Fatty fish like tuna or salmon contain omega-3 fatty acids. This is a type of healthy fat which lowers your risk of heart disease as well as reduce inflammation.

Olive Oil

Olive oil consumption decreases the levels of fat in the liver. It also increases blood flow as well as improve one’s liver enzyme levels.

Make a change today, to improve your overall health tomorrow!

Why The Human Liver Matters

Posted on July 5, 2018 by Jaiden Watt

The human liver is considered to be one of the most vital internal organs for human survival. It is responsible for various chemical reactions and performs well over 500 functions within the body. The liver is considered to be the largest internal organ as well as the largest gland.

The size of the human liver varies according to gender, age, and body size. A liver found in a male is bigger than that of a female. For example, a female’s liver may weigh 1.2kg whereas a male’s liver may weigh 1.5kg.

Functions of the Liver

Looking at the liver from the glandular aspect, this is where the functions of the organ occur. The most important function of the liver is to rid the body of harmful toxins. However, the liver is also responsible for the secretion of bile which aids the process of digestion. The organ processes all the nutrients we get from food consumption. The body stores these nutrients which are then converted into energy as and when the body needs it. The liver also has the capacity to store blood. In instances when there is a low blood volume, the stored blood within the liver saves the day.

The liver is responsible for the conversion of glucose to glycogen which aids in the prevention of hyperglycemia and low sugar levels. The hepatic secretion of the liver is very important as the secretion of bile, found in the gallbladder, stores and concentrates the bile.

Storage of Vitamins and Minerals

The liver controls the intake and storage of vitamins A, D, B12, Folic acid, and iron. When needed, the liver will provide these to aid the body. Iron is absorbed through the liver which helps the process of blood production. Copper is responsible for development and growth of various organs including the brain, heart, and bones.

Factors Leading to Liver Disease

Excessive alcohol consumption
Recreational drug use
Hyperlipidemia
Genetic diseases
Unprotected sex resulting in hepatitis

Types of Liver Disease

Jaundice – the golden yellow appearance of the skin as a result of the accumulation of bilirubin found in body fluids.
Drug-induced Hepatotoxicity – the damaging effects of drugs on the liver.
Alcoholic liver disease
Cirrhosis – the end-stage liver disease caused by fibrosis
Liver tumors – these can either be malignant tumors or cancerous.

There are many more different types of liver diseases that could develop due to the failure of the maintenance of the vital organ.

Acute and Chronic Liver Diseases

Viral hepatitis
Alcohol abuse
Chronic hepatitis C and B
Primary biliary cirrhosis
Hemachromatosis

From the above information, you can see just how important the maintenance of the human liver is. Most of these types of liver diseases can be avoided by eating a healthy and balanced diet, regular exercise, drinking water daily, low alcohol consumption, and staying far away from recreational drug use!

What You Need To Know About Liver Disease

Posted on February 9, 2018 by Jaiden Watt

The liver is one of the largest organs in the human body. Functions of the liver include the production of bile, extra glucose storage, the production of amino acids, and metabolizing medication. Disturbances in liver functions result in varying liver diseases.

Liver disease symptoms include nausea, vomiting, jaundice, right upper quadrant abdominal pain, fatigue, weight loss, and weakness. There are multiple liver diseases namely cholestasis, compromised blood flow, alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatitis. The most common of these is hepatitis which is the inflammation of liver cells.

Hepatitis

Hepatitis A

This is a viral infection caused by fecal-oral ingestion. For example, not washing your hands every time you go to the toilet.

Hepatitis B

Spread by exposure to bodily fluids such as sharing dirty needles or sexual contact. An acute infection at first, but it can progress to chronic hepatitis which results in liver cancer or cirrhosis.

Hepatitis C

This causes chronic hepatitis, however, is also spread through exposure to bodily fluids through sexual contact and contaminated blood.

Hepatitis D

This disease thrives in association with hepatitis B as well as being spread through bodily fluids.

Hepatitis E

Result of the consumption of contaminated food and water. These cases mostly occur in rural areas.

Other Liver Diseases

Cholestasis

This is caused by bile flow obstruction. The bile ducts become blocked and the build-up of bile in the liver causes jaundice.

Alcoholic Hepatitis

This is caused by the inflammation of the liver from alcohol consumption. Most likely occurs from heavy alcohol consumption, however, moderate alcohol drinkers can develop the disease too.

Cirrhosis

Also known as fibrosis, as more scar tissue develops on the liver, the harder it is for the liver to repair itself. There are no clear symptoms of the disease, however, if detected early, the progression of cirrhosis can be slowed down.

The treatment of liver disease is possible with medication and different vaccines. However, liver failure can only be treated with a liver transplantation. It is important for one to eat healthily, drink clean water daily, avoid excessive alcohol consumption, and practice hygienic measures to protect the liver.