This Blog will be divided in 5 parts, and I will present the research that I have done about the Liver organ and to show how important is to take care of it.
Liver disharmony – Herbal Formulas and TCM Dietetics Approaches to Balance the Liver
By Doctor Alex SaAlves
Introduction
Our Liver function have been compromised by our lifestyles. We continue to ignore that the Liver is a large organ in our body and the only one capable to regenerate itself. Bio-Medically speaking the liver’s job is screening and filtering; It separates the beneficial from the toxic; It cleans the blood that goes directly to the heart. It is the main blood purifier in our body. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine’s theory, excessive irritability and anger can affect the liver and result in multiple issues, including menstrual pain, headache, redness of the face and eyes, dizziness, and dry mouth (Folks, Claudia. 2006. Atlas of Acupuncture. Elsevier). Alternatively, imbalance in the liver can result in stressed behaviors. In TCM the liver ensures that energy and blood flow smoothly throughout the body. It also regulates bile secretion, stores blood, and connects with the tendons, nails, and eyes (Dan Bensky, Steven Clavey, Erich Stoger. Materia Medica. 2004. Eastland Press.). My Research is to show different approaches of Chinese Herbal Formulas and TCM Dietetics to Balance the Liver.
Why Liver Harmony is so important?
Working as a Nurse for 13 years, my introduction to liver function was pretty much limited to newborn jaundice and cirrhosis of the liver in the many alcoholics that I did care in the hospital. I also witnessed the deadly effects on the liver of the bypass surgeries at work. Some of those patients died of complications that included liver failure. Obviously bypass surgery has advanced through time. I still believe biomedical science still does not appreciate what the liver actually does on a day-to-day basis even before anything like elevated liver enzymes, fatty liver, or cirrhosis appears. “The liver offers us two levels of protection against environmental toxins of all kinds: disarmament and detainment” (from Friedman, Lawrence S. MD. Handbook of Liver Disease, 2018). But these protections do not last forever if we continue to ignore our liver function.
In accordance with Dr. Friedman: the liver’s job is screening and filtering (as a mentioned before). It separates the beneficial from the toxic. It cleans the blood that goes from the liver directly to the heart. It is the ultimate blood purifier. It also protects our body by sequestering solvents, pesticides, and viruses deep in its core, where they stay out of the blood stream. When the liver lets go of toxins, they can go to three places. One—they go to the colon via bile and the gallbladder and are eliminated in feces. Two—they go to the kidneys, where toxins are eliminated through urine. And finally, three: they are eliminated in the bloodstream as free radicals (this is a last resort). In the Book “Medical Medium Life-Changing Foods” by Anthony William, he said: “When your liver gets to the point of being unable to process all the unproductive material running through it, more free radical debris and toxic matter will be in the bloodstream, forcing the heart to pump harder to pull the blood up from the liver—like sucking pudding through a straw—resulting in high blood pressure. If your liver is clogged to the point where biofilm starts to break off into the blood, then you are likely to develop heart flutters as this jelly-like substance gums up heart valves, preventing the smooth flow of blood”.
Based on the book Principles of Chinese Medicine by Hong Hai, which says: “In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) The primary function of the liver is to regulate the movement of ‘Qi’ within the body. This regulatory function is essential for the physiological actions of all organ systems, ensuring proper functioning of the body. Qi is a unique concept of a circulating life force that sustains all living beings. This is likened to a flow of energy in the body that maintains life”.
The regulatory role of the liver in TCM is demonstrated mainly in four areas:
- Pushing action of qi – The circulation of blood and metabolism of water relies on the “pushing” action of ‘Qi’ in the relevant organs, which is dependent on the overall regulation of the liver ‘Qi’. If the liver ‘Qi’ is stagnated for certain reasons, diseases related to the circulation of blood and metabolism of water can occur. For example, stagnant liver ‘Qi’ leads to poor circulation of blood and may result in blood stasis within the body. Similarly, if liver ‘Qi’ disperses excessively without control, the circulation of blood can go wrong, manifesting symptoms such as hemoptysis and epistaxis. The stagnant ‘Qi’ can also obstruct the flow of fluids, forming sputum or water retention.
- Digestion imbalances – The regulatory role of the liver can supplement the role of absorption and assimilation by the spleen. At the same time, it is thought that bile is secreted from surplus liver ‘qi’ and subsequently stored in the liver. The liver regulates the outflow of bile to facilitate the digestion process. A stagnant liver ‘qi’ can affect the circulation of ‘qi’ of the spleen, stomach, and gall bladder, causing digestion troubles and giving rise to gastrointestinal symptoms such as flatulence, vomiting, belching amongst others. If the secretion of bile gets obstructed instead, there can also be pain at the ribs area, jaundice, and a lack of appetite.
- Emotional Health – The liver has also a major role to play when it comes to managing emotions. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, there are 7 main emotions namely: Joy, Anger, Worry, Thought, Sorrow, Fear, and Fright. It is believed that excessive exposure to these emotions can affect their respective organs, an adequate supply of blood and smooth circulation of ‘qi’ are necessary for individuals to manage their emotions properly, which evokes optimistic thinking and good spirits. In today’s fast-paced society, liver ‘qi’ stagnation, is a common imbalance found in individuals who find difficulties in juggling between work and life. When the liver becomes imbalanced, the flow of qi is disrupted, resulting in a myriad of abnormal emotional activity such as low spirits, anxiety, and belching.
- Women’s physiology – Females depend heavily on the supply and circulation of blood in circumstances such as menstruation, pregnancy, labor and even breastfeeding throughout their life cycle. The regulatory role of the liver ensures that blood is directed to the uterus to support these physiological activities. Notably, it is little wonder for females of menopausal age to face emotional mood swings. Although science attributes the symptoms of menopause largely to hormonal imbalance, Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that stagnation of liver ‘qi’ and deficiency in kidney essence are associated with menopause, resulting in the typical symptoms such as depression, mood swings, changes in menstrual cycle and hot flushes.
In accordance with Connor and Bensky: The emotions related to the liver are anger and frustration, it is also necessary to manage our emotions and stress effectively to minimize negative influence on the liver. Since the functions of the liver is so extensive, any imbalances in the liver can affect the activities of other organs. Staying well informed and being aware of any minor symptoms associated with the imbalance of liver can help to prevent serious health issues in future.
Liver Issues in America – Research Overviews
Based on Chronic Disease Research Group (CDRG – The Chronic Disease Research Group – Chronic Liver disease Research. Link: https://www.cdrg.org/media/1447/loomba-easl-2018-sat-251-final-v3.pdf) from Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute – Minneapolis, MN they found that Chronic liver disease is characterized by progressive destruction of the liver, eventually resulting in liver failure, and possible transplant will be necessary.
The most common types of chronic liver disease relate to hepatitis virus (A-E, with different disease rates), cirrhosis, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). CDRG’s research states that: “According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cases of acute hepatitis C virus infection increased more than 2.5 times from 2010 to 2014, and approximately 3.5 million Americans are currently infected. Viral hepatitis is caused by infection with any of at least five distinct viruses, hepatitis A B, C, D, and E. Most viral hepatitis infections in the US are attributable to balance of liver can help to prevent serious health issues in future.
A, B, and C. All three of these unrelated viruses can produce an acute illness, although many acute infections are asymptomatic or cause only mild disease. Many people infected with hepatitis B or C are unaware of the infection and carry it for decades until they develop cirrhosis, ESLD, or hepatocellular carcinoma. Also, Liver cirrhosis is a progressive disease in which healthy liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue (fibrosis), occurs most often due to alcohol abuse or hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection. In 2014, liver cirrhosis accounted for over 38,000 deaths, according to the CDC. Treatment of cirrhosis intends to slow the progression of fibrosis and control the cause (e.g., alcohol dependency) or comorbid conditions, but no cure exists.
Another research that CDRG made, they found that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by too much fat stored in liver cells. Disease progression is marked by liver inflammation, scarring, and irreversible damage, culminating in cirrhosis and liver failure. NAFLD occurs in every age group but especially in people in their 40s and 50s who are at high risk of heart disease, due to risk factors such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Recent research found that bone and skeletal muscle disorders appeared to be independently associated with NAFLD.