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When we digest food, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients pass from the intestines into the blood. The blood then heads to the liver where the good stuff is transformed into forms our body can use. The liver also cleans blood by removing toxins. Once separated, bile carries the waste back into the intestines to be eliminated from the body as...well..."poo" or to the kidneys to be eliminated in our urine.
The liver and the gall b  ladder work together to help your body to digest and receive benefits from good fats. The liver produces a digestive juice called bile (a thick, green substance) that it is stored in the gall bladder until needed to digest fats and other lipids.
The body breaks down carbohydrates (from breads, fruits, and other foods) into a sugar called glucose which, when stored in the liver, is called glycogen.
Glycogen is the backup fuel when your blood glucose level drops and the body needs a quick energy boost to stabilize.
When functioning well, the liver cleans blood, produces bile for fat digestion, and stores glycogen for your energy reserve. How do we maintain or even restore effective liver functioning? Consider some ideas in this month's eNews.
Live with radiant intention and be well. Rhonda |
Alcohol and Sugar:
In Ayurveda we say that "You are what you digest and do not eliminate." We need a healthy liver --- the workhorse of our detoxification processes -- to maximize our digestive processes and eliminate dangerous toxins. Alcohol and sugar are the two primary offensive rogues when it comes to liver health. AlcoholAlcohol consumption is the primary cause of fatty liver disease. While it's normal for your liver to hold 5-10% of fat accumulations, more that that is a problem--a big problem.  There is some debate about alcohol and your health. Some research suggests that a modest amount of alcohol--less than 1 drink daily -- may help your heart. However, other research shows that 1 alcoholic drink per day can damage your brain, liver, and overall physiology. Ayurveda recommends little to no alcohol in the diet. SugarExcess fructose is the main cause of NAFLD [Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease]. Fructose is contained in ridiculously dangerous amounts in the high fructose corn syrup found in nearly all processed foods.  Fructose is very similar to alcohol in how it damages the liver. Unlike glucose, which is used by nearly all cells throughout your body, fructose is only metabolized in your liver. The amount of fructose in the typical Western-style diet is out of control and places a huge damaging burden on the liver. For more on fructose and diabetes see the December 2015 issue. For more on NAFLD go here.
My general notion on both alcohol and sugar is that joy is one of our greatest health promoters. So if occasional use of alcohol opens your social enjoyment and offers some soothing relaxation, then a drink or 2 a week may be right for you. If sweet treats bring you pleasure, try to enjoy natural sweets (no high fructose corn syrup) once in awhile. We want to be healthy without leading sterile lives absent of joy. Just keep leaning in to better choices and over time your desires shift to that which best serves you.
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Liver Disease Facts 
- The most prevalent liver condition is Fatty Liver Disease and affects about one third of the U.S. population.
- Liver disease - including hepatitis, cirrhosis and liver cancer - is the 12th leading cause of death in the United States.
- There are more than 20 liver diseases which are currently diagnosed and for which there are treatments but many treatments can only slow disease progression.
- One in 60 people have hepatitis C and nearly two-thirds of those people don't know they have it. It is called the "silent epidemic" because it can infect people for decades without obvious symptoms.
- Hepatitis C is five times as wide-spread as HIV.
- Hepatitis C can be diagnosed through a simple blood test and is now fully curable in over 90 percent of patients.
From Saint Louis University Liver Center
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Rhonda Egidio Ph.D., R.A.P., [Registered Ayurveda Professional] provides Ayurvedic assessments of primary health, diet, sleep, and lifestyle concerns and offers Ayurvedic recommendations. It's a wise idea to obtain a baseline assessment to help you customize Ayurveda knowledge to your particular needs. Check out assessment and session options.
Dr. Rhonda Egidio, 269-345-2991
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Classes offered by Dr. Rhonda Egidio will resume in the fall. Stay tuned.
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Ayurveda information shared here is for general educational purposes and is not intended to substitute for medical or psychological advice. Please consult with a qualified medical professional in these matters.
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It's Your Time to Fly!!!  "Spread your wings, across the universe It's your time to, it's your time to shine. There's a light inside of all of us Soon, you'll find that it's your time to fly Your time to fly" Want a good start to your day---or inspiring pick up anytime? --Listen to this.Fly was written and is sung by Avril Lavigne. She debuted it for the 2015 Special Olympic.
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More Free Guides
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3 Great Videos! Top 5 reasons You Need a Liver Cleanse By Dr Edward Group  See it hereHow to Cleanse Your Liver By Dr. Josh Axe  5 Really Practical Strategies
Alcohol, Ayurveda Herbs and Your Liver By John Douillard  See it here
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Daily Liver Cleanse and Weight Loss Tea
1/16 tsp cayenne pepper 1 C water 1/4 lemon 1 tsp honey 1/8 tsp apple cider vinegar Preparation Place ingredients in boiled water and stir. Drink in the morning upon waking 1/2 hour before meals or sip slowly after meals Notes: use Braggs apple cider vinegar with the mother in it. Lemon, honey, vinegar and cayenne form a classic vivacious Ayurvedic blend to boost fat digestion and metabolism. A strong sour taste encourages the free flow of bile form your liver and gall bladder to your gut. Only add honey when cool enough to drink. Recipe - Joyful Belly
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Beet Cleanse Soup3 Tbsp Raw Apple Cider Vinegar 2 Cups Beets 1/4 tsp Black Pepper 2 Cups Cabbage
4 Whole Carrots 3/4 Cup dill 1 Whole Potato 1/4 tsp Salt 2 Tbsp Sunflower Oil 1/2 Cup Yellow Onion Chop onions. Slice potato, carrots, beets and cabbage thinly. Place all ingredients in a pot and cover twice the height with water. Bring to a boil and simmer, covered, for one hour of more.
Recipe - Joyful Belly
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