Do you have a fatty liver?

by Herbalist Wendy Wilson

Some of us could have a fatty liver and not know it. There are 15 million Americans living the American lifestyle and approximately 90% to 100% of them already have or will soon have a fatty liver. Modern medicine has two categories for fatty liver; the non-alcohol type and the other category associated with obesity and alcohol consumption. There really is a third category which science ignores and that is liver problems caused by prescription drugs.

WHAT IS IT?

A fatty liver is a liver that has accumulated fat cells. Interestingly, medical science does not call a liver with some fat cells a disease. Why? Because it is very likely that if there is no permanent damage (no scar tissue or cancer) the condition can be reversed with some inexpensive and simple methods. Also, science is not precisely sure how the liver gets clogged with fat cells. It could be a digestive and metabolism problem as well as diet. You officially have a fatty liver if the weight of the liver increases by 5% to 10%. A healthy adult liver weighs about 3 pounds and a fatty liver will weigh 4-5 pounds. This is why medical examiners will weigh vital organs during an autopsy to help determine cause of death. If the liver gets fatty, it slows the normal function of this organ and inflammation can result (hepatitis). If the condition is not reversed, fibrosis and cirrhosis (scar tissue) can develop within 10-15 years. It is estimated that 20% to 40% of individuals who are grossly overweight run the risk of this happening (steatohepatitis). An indication of being overweight is excess fat around the waist; for women if your waist is 35 inches or greater and for men if your waist is 40 inches or greater.

MEDICAL TREATMENTS

If you go to your medical doctor they will want to take a blood sample to check for elevated liver enzymes. If the enzymes are elevated it is an indication that damage has already affected the liver. Then your doctor may want a sample of your liver tissue (biopsy) to check. If you object to cutting into your liver (that is what a biopsy is) then an ultrasound or CT scan may indicate that the liver is enlarged. For overweight individuals with a fatty liver they are treated for obesity and diabetes to try to correct this problem.

NON-DRINKER LIVER PROBLEMS

If you do not drink alcohol and have a fatty liver, you may have inherited weak liver genes or your lifestyle has contributed and caused obesity and diabetes. Over time the liver will enlarge and liver cells can be replaced with scar tissue (called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and cirrhosis).  It is very likely that the liver will fail or develop cancer. According to health experts, sick livers are on the rise; a 20% increase in adults causing 6 million Americans to seek treatment. Rates are up in Asian and Hispanic children as well by 3% and some blame the high fructose corn syrup children are consuming. In America more than half of the children (53%) are obese and fatty livers are found in children as young as four-years-of-age.

RISKS FOR NON-DRINKER LIVER PROBLEMS

There are several factors that can contribute to this illness. As mentioned, heredity can play a part. This illness also likes to rear its ugly head in middle-aged individuals, especially those who are overweight or obese. If you suffer from high cholesterol or triglycerides your risk is higher for developing a fatty liver. If you are pre-diabetic or diabetic your risk increases as well. If you have digestive diseases of the small intestine (i.e. Cohn’s Disease) your risk is greater. If you have viral hepatitis or an autoimmune disease your risk is greater. People suffering from malnutrition or an overload of iron are also at risk. If you suffered from tuberculosis you are at risk.

LIVER PROBLEMS BY ALCOHOL

The other category for major fatty liver disease according to science is if you consume a fair amount of alcohol on a regular basis. We are talking about drinking two or more alcoholic beverages per day and perhaps a binge or two per week. If you are a moderate drinker for 10-15 years, your liver will have problems. If you are a heavy drinker for a short period of time, your liver will have problems.

DRUG CULPRITS

There are prescription drugs that can make the liver ill and cause it to become fatty.
Aspirin
Amiodarone – drug for heart arrhythmia 
Calcium Channel Blockers – such as Diltiazem
Anti-inflammatory drugs – such as Glucocorticoids (cortisone & prednisone, corticosteroids)
Cancer drugs – such as Methotrexate
Estrogen drugs – such as Tamoxifen
Antiepileptic drugs – such as Valproic Acid
Tetracycline
Carbon tetrachloride – cleaning agent & refrigerant (absorb or breathe it)

DRUG COMBOS

Mixing a bunch of prescription drugs is very dangerous. Doctors and pharmacists don’t know what will happen to you after the first prescription causing 100 chemical changes in your body. Every time you add a drug to the first drug you are play chemical Russian roulette. You risk hurting your liver when you take any prescription. To be more specific on deadly liver combos you should avoid using Rifampin (antibiotic), Saquinavir (HIV drug) and Simvastatin (anti-cholesterol drug).

LIVER SYMPTOMS

If your liver decides to signal you to a problem you may experience a few symptoms such as; a dull or nagging pain in the abdomen, weakness or nausea, bloating and flatulence (gas), high cholesterol and blood pressure, weight gain and yellow pigment to the skin. Many of these symptoms develop slowly and are often ignored by the individual.

LIVER HEALTH IN CANADA

According to health authorities approximately 50% of Canadians are overweight and 75% of them will develop fatty livers unless they make some lifestyle changes. Therefore, fatty livers are up 23% in Canada and correlates with obesity rates.

NURSING HOMES

There seems to be several ways to make the liver fatty. We mentioned malnutrition as a way and the elderly tend not to eat too healthy. On the flip side of that, the elderly in nursing homes may be given parenteral nutrition (intravenously) and long-term use of nutrition delivery this way will produce a fatty liver.  

OVERALL

If your liver is fatty and inflamed it is vulnerable to disease. Currently, there are no drugs for fatty livers but that doesn’t mean there won’t be in the future. The effective method of reversing a fatty liver is through permanent diet changes and regular exercise. Your liver is an important organ and you should take care of it. Your liver is responsible for:

1. filtering the blood
2. removing toxic substances
3. storing vitamins
4. synthesizing cholesterol
5. metabolizing and storing sugar
6. assembling amino acids into proteins
7. controlling blood fluidity and regulating blood-clotting
8. removing excess protein through the kidneys
9. burning fat and mixing bile for the digestive system to metabolize fats

When the liver is healthy it is not hard to lose weight. If the liver is fatty, the process is reversed; the liver stores fat and you gain weight. Then other symptoms will follow; high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes. Hepatitis and cirrhosis are just a stones throw away. Other complications could arise such as an inflamed gall bladder (cholecystitis), appendicitis and pancreatitis. If you are an alcoholic you can count on these complications, the likelihood of surgery and a high death rate from surgery.

GETTING A GRIP

You can reverse a fatty liver with discipline and control. There is no quick fix and you will need to avoid all alcohol and sugar and eat a healthy diet (more fiber, fruit and vegetables, very lean meats) along with regular exercise. You can layer is some liver cleansing using Milk Thistle and Barberry herb to help the liver replace sick liver cells with healthy ones and to clean out the gall bladder. Folks with fatty livers are usually low on energy and exercising is a challenge. Let the new diet kick in and your energy will come back. You can layer with some energy herbs such as ginseng and spirulina and chlorella to give you extra energy. Call the folks at Apothecary Herbs for products and instructions to help keep your liver fat-free and functioning. Look for their Milk Thistle and Barberry Bark for the liver and gall bladder cleanse. American and Siberian ginseng, Body Foundation Food Mix (contains spirulina and chlorella) as well as heart formulas for more energy and to avoid the toxicity of drugs. Call Apothecary Herbs toll free 866-229-3663, International 704-885-0277, online http://www.thepowerherbs.com, where your healthcare options just became endless.

COMING UP ON HERB TALK LIVE

Herbalist Wendy Wilson will interview on Herb Talk Live
Saturday morning show:
11/17/12 Ty Bollinger & Dr. Michael Farley 7 am EST on GCN
Weekday show:
11/20/12 Dr. Rebecca Carley 7 pm EST on AVR
11/20/12 Shortwave show 8 pm EST WWCR 40840
Go to http://www.thepowerherbs.com Herb Talk Live & Radio Archive area for network link access and past shows to download and share. For Android users you can download a FREE app for Herb Talk Live on GCN. See the download link under radio archives at top of page at http://www.thepowerherbs.com.

PANDEMIC NEWS 

Do you have your Pandemic Kit yet? Here is what folks are saying about the 100% organic Pandemic Kit made by Apothecary Herbs. "I have this kit and recommend everyone have at least one on hand (or more depending on family size) for a pandemic." Rebecca Carley, MD, Hickory, NC and “I have one and glad I do; just in case. I like the long shelf life.” Melody Cedarstrom, Port Matilda, PA (more customer freedback at http://www.thepowerherbs.com) or call 866-229-3663 to order your kit today.

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Pure energy is organic and instantly absorbed – transporting nutrition to every cell in your body. It is a super food for the body to repair, build and fortify itself. Where do you get it? It’s called Body Foundation Food Mix and is at Apothecary Herbs 866-229-3663, International 704-885-0277 http://www.thepowerherbs.com. This pure energy food source is so efficient; you won’t feel hungry between meals and can safely lose weight.

THE POWER HERBS e-BOOK

By popular demand The Power Herbs e-book is available with symptom/herb reference guide, information on organ cleansing and how to make your own herbal tinctures plus a whole lot more. Go to http://www.thepowerherbs.com and click on The Power Herb book cover on the right side of the home page to order. You must have email to order and receive the e-book download version of The Power Herb book for just $14.99. At this time, we do not offer this title in hard copy.

TWO NEW PRODUCTS

Apothecary Herbs has released a new product called Liver Detox Tea. You can layer this tea with Milk Thistle Tincture for a gentle yet effective liver cleanse. This is a nice option if you can’t do the Liver/Gall Bladder Flush using olive oil. You will find this new product under Herbal Teas at http://www.thepowerherbs.com. Also New is the Liver & Gall Bladder Tincture with dandelion root for more anticancer protection. This formula is available in 1 oz, 2 oz and 4 oz sizes. You will find this item under Organ Body Cleanses at http://www.thepowerherbs.com. You can layer this tincture with the Liver Detox Tea and be well!

BE PREPARED

Being prepared is never a waste of time. Get your own organic garden growing and stock as much healthy foodstuffs as you can. You’ll also need backup medicine but the over-the-counter and prescription medicines have a limited shelf life of two years or less. However, your organic medicines have a ten year shelf life without side effects. Call the folks at Apothecary Herbs for their Natural Medicine Starter Stock-up Package or make sure you get one of their many herb kits for boosting immune system and protecting you from viruses, bacteria and other pathogens. Call Apothecary Herbs 866-229-3663, International 704-885-0277 online http://www.thepowerherbs.com, where your healthcare options just became endless.

ALLERGY RELIEF

If you suffer from allergies (sneezing, itchy watery eyes, stuffy or runny nose, sinus pressure or sinus infections) try the Echinacea Deluxe formula and Herbal Eyewash both around $20.00 from Apothecary Herbs. Call now toll free 866-229-3663 http://www.thepowerherbs.com.

APOTHECARY HERBS VITAMIN VAULT – STOCK UP AND SAVE!

You already know that you can save on the half and full case discounts in the Vitamin Vault area at http://www.thepowerherbs.com. Apothecary Herbs has added a new item called the Natural Medicine Starter Stock-up Package. This package is designed for those preparing for their medical future and contains immune boosting, pain & inflammation, organ cleanses, vitamin, mineral, amino acid and protein products plus a Pandemic Kit and it comes with a savings of $150.00. Visit http://www.thepowerherbs.com or call toll free to order your Starter Stock-up Package 866-229-3663, International 704-885-0277. Mail in your check or money order for this package and save an additional 15% ($242.00) before shipping.

MALE & FEMALE ORGAN CLEANSES KITS – Don’t give disease a foothold. You will have the power to cleanse the bowel, urinary, liver, gall bladder and blood system with this cleanse package. For added cleansing, ask about how you can upgrade your order to include the prostate cleanse for men or the Kidney/Bladder cleanse for females.  Go to http://www.thepowerherbs.com or call their 24-hour live customer service line 866-229-3663, International 704-885-0277.

MALE HORMONE FORMULA (use with the Prostate Kit)
Apothecary Herbs brand new formula to help balance male hormones – Male Hormone Formula. Call 866-229-3663, International 704-885-0277 http://www.thepowerherbs.com

MORE PROTECTION from EMF, RADIATION
The folks at admitters are correct that every modern house has EMF hotspots, which are sometimes caused by appliances, electronics, bad grounding just to name a few. You will want to make sure your bed or your children’s beds are not in direct line of these hotspots. How do you find out? You purchase an affordable and accurate meter from Admitters.  Radmeters has a direct link http://www.radmeters.com/tph or you can click their link under “links” at http://www.thepowerherbs.com.  I wouldn’t recommend them if I didn’t have one of their meters myself – Herbalist Wendy Wilson.

PROSTATE KIT THAT WORKS! Go to Apothecary Herbs http://www.thepowerherbs.com and type in “Prostate” in the search box or for more information or call 866-229-3663, International 704-885-0277.  Layer this kit with their Male Hormone formula.

ONE-YEAR SUPPLY OF HERBAL MEDICNE (shelf life 10 to 15 years)
See Apothecary Herbs One Year Supply of Herbal Medicine at http://www.thepowerherbs.com or call 866-229-3663, 704-885-0277. Call for a customized year supply or to set up installment payment for this package.

Herbalist Wendy Wilson: Twitter: @mortarNpestle, Instgram: herbwoman