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, ayurvedaonline 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