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Liver Health Tips * Eastern Medicine Nutrition & Herbs *

Posted by Dave Leong on Aug 26th 2010

Get Well Natural's Herbal Health News

Liver Health Tips * Eastern Medicine Nutrition & Herbs *

Embrace the Sunshine

Kids in Swimming PoolSchool's out, vacations are happening and air conditioners are running full blast. What does this mean for your liver? While warmer weather often leads to plenty of fun in the sun, it's important to take care of your health. Summertime activities, including barbeques (smoke and other toxins), boating (exhaust fumes), drinking alcohol, late nights (insufficient sleep), chemicals (bug spray, sunscreen), and eating certain foods (dairy, junk food, sugar, wheat) can cause a greater need for additional liver support. Get Well Natural's tips and herbal supplements can help you take care of your liver the natural way so you're ready to turn on the music, fire up the grill and cannonball into the pool!*

The Danger of Summer BBQs

Family BarbecuePoolside barbeques are a summer ritual. Add an ice chest full of beer and wine, and by the end of the night, empty bottles and cans adorn the patio while family and friends act a little more free-spirited than usual. It may sound like fun, but it's important to consider the negative effect alcohol has on the body's immune system and organs – including cirrhosis of the liver. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC), cirrhosis refers to a condition in which the liver deteriorates and malfunctions over time due to chronic injury (i.e. drinking). In a cirrhosis patient, blood cannot flow properly through the liver because scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue. Common symptoms include weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal bloating, itching and spiderlike blood vessels on the skin. So how much is too much? NDDIC indicates that the amount of alcohol it takes to damage the liver is different for everybody. For women, two to three alcoholic drinks per day can lead to liver damage and cirrhosis. For men, it takes approximately three to four drinks per day. According to Mayo Clinic, other risks of excessive alcohol consumption include:

  • Cancer of the pancreas, mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus and liver, as well as breast cancer
  • Pancreatitis, especially in people with high levels of triglycerides in their blood
  • Sudden death in people with cardiovascular disease
  • Heart muscle damage (alcoholic cardiomyopathy) leading to heart failure
  • Stroke
  • High blood pressure

Your Liver Works for You

Dr. Graeme ShawChances are, you've heard the words "detox" and "liver" used in the same sentence. Actually, many parts of your body play a role in the detoxification process – especially your liver. Your liver is the largest organ in your body and it has many jobs, including converting food into energy and cleaning alcohol and other poisons from the blood. A major function of the detoxification system is to process toxins so they are more easily removed from the body. The liver helps with this by binding toxins to amino acids and other detoxifying agents. To further explain this process, we're bringing back one of Dr. Graeme Shaw's most popular articles, Detoxification: An Important Tool for Surviving in a Toxic World. In his exploration of both cellular and liver detoxification, Dr. Shaw fills us in on the liver's role in toxicity and how you can enhance detoxification.*

What exactly are the ABCs of Hepatitis?

Doctor With PatientAccording to the American Liver Foundation, Hepatitis A, B and C affects more than five million Americans. While all three forms of Hepatitis result in inflammation of the liver caused by a virus, here's some at-a-glance info to help you differentiate these liver diseases:

Hepatitis A (HAV):

  • Spread as a result of poor hygiene
  • Requires no treatment (subsides after six months)
  • Vaccine available

Hepatitis B (HBV)

  • Spread through bodily fluids, sharing personal items
  • Acute HBV occurs in 95 percent of cases, chronic HBV in 5 percent
  • Chronic HBV can lead to liver cancer, liver scarring and other serious liver damage
  • Vaccine and treatments available

Hepatitis C (HCV)

  • Spread through blood
  • Acute HCV occurs in 15 to 40 percent of cases, chronic HCV in 60 to 85 percent
  • Chronic HCV can lead to liver cancer, scarring and other serious damage
  • No vaccine available, but chronic HCV treatment is an option
By practicing good hygiene, not sharing personal items like razors and toothbrushes, practicing safe sex and talking with your doctor, you can help prevent hepatitis. For more information on liver wellness and other resources, you can always call the American Liver Foundation at 1-800-GO-LIVER.

Stay Cool

Family BarbecueJust like your body craves cool air in the summer, your food needs to stay cool as well. The countertop fruit bowl (and your stash of dark chocolate) may need to move to the refrigerator. When dining in the backyard, keep toppings and mayonnaise-based dips like guacamole on ice and make sure to put away perishable items promptly. Remember to defrost meat in the fridge overnight instead of setting it on the counter, as food-related illnesses are more common in warmer weather. Here are a few summer-friendly recipes to kick off the season:

Do you have any delicious and healthy summertime recipes to share? Visit our Facebook Page or Twitter (@GetWellNatural) and leave us a comment or send us a message. We'd love to hear from you!

Dietary Supplements to Support Liver Health *

At Get Well Natural, we want to help support your liver naturally. These natural herbal formulas may help you maintain a healthier liver:*

Liver Well
Liver Well(included in the HEPA Kit)*
The complex combination of herbs found in Liver Well were designed by medical doctors who are masters in herbology. These healthy herbs work together to support the underlying imbalances associated with liver disorders such as jaundice, cirrhosis, hepatitis (A, B or C), and so on. In addition, the formula may provide support for anti-fibrotic activity, immune simulation, liver micro circulation and bile secretion. Continual use of Liver Well may also support the liver's key digestive, detoxification and energy storage functions.*
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Not So Well I
Not So Well I(also included in the HEPA Kit)
This herbal dietary supplement is designed for year-round support of the immune system. Astragalus, a key ingredient, is known for supporting healthy immune system integrity, while Cordyceps is added for its ability to promote both healthy cellular energy and immune health.*
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Hepagenesis
HepagenesisThis single ingredient formula contains a concentrated extract of the Eclipta Alba herb known to support healthy liver function. Considered to be a nourishing and rejuvenating  liver tonic, Hepagenesis may be used by itself or in herbal combinations for those concerned with liver dysfunction such as fatty liver disease and cirrhosis.*
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Dandelion Root (Taraxacum)
Our Dandelion Root (Taraxacum officinale) is a high-quality, concentrated extract that delivers effective support for healthy emotional balance, relaxation, healthy liver and blood, body detoxification and digestive regularity. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) ranks the Dandelion as one of the top ten herbs in the Chinese Medicinal collection. Considered a primary herb, it's been used for centuries to safely support the body's ability to purify the blood and flush both physical and emotional toxins out of the body through the liver and kidneys.*
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100% Satisfaction Guarantee
Not sure that Get Well Natural's products are right for you? There's no risk with our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. If you're not completely satisfied with our products, we'll give you a refund. For details, read our return policy .

What Our Customers Are Saying:
Dear Get Well Natural ...These products that Get Well Natural provides are the real deal. No gimmicks, no hype, just effective dietary supplements to support my body... Again, thanks to everyone. Each time I call for an order everyone is so cordial and it makes my day each time I talk to them.*
- - With Respect, William Shear, Ohio

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*These statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. TCM is an acronym for Traditional Chinese Medicine.

**The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only, not intended to replace your doctor's or other health care professional's advice or treatment. Nor is any information contained on or in any product label or packaging intended to provide or replace professional health care advice. Do not use the this site's information for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem, nor for prescription of any treatment or medication. Always consult with a healthcare professional before undertaking any diet, exercise, herbal or other supplementation program, taking any medications, or if you suspect you may have or already have any type of health problem. Do not stop taking any medication without first consulting your doctor.