Liver/ Gallbladder Cleansing, Lower High Cholesterol Naturally and More!

March 2013

Greetings

Spring is almost here!  Long awaited by sun-loving Malibuites, longer, warmer days are finally on the horizon.  In fact the spring equinox is on March 20th, just over 2 weeks away.

While winter is a time to conserve energy and reduce activity, spring is a time to regenerate, begin anew, redirect and blossom!

In chinese medicine, spring is strongly connected with the liver and gallbladder organ systems.  The liver and gallbladder work together to regulate stress, emotions (especially anger and irritability), muscular tension, decision-making and planning, bile flow and digestion. If you experience issues with any of the above, it is an indicator that your liver and gallbladder organ systems are in a state of imbalance.  

This issue of Malibu Acupuncture and Herbs Online is all about caring for you liver and gallbladder.  Read about Liver and Gallbladder Cleansing, for information on what these organs do and how to help them function optimally.  Also in this issue is How to Reduce Your Cholesterol Levels Naturally, lifestyle strategies for those with cholesterol concerns.  

In honor of spring, I’ll be offering a Regenerate Your Health special this month– buy a series of 5 sessions, and get the 6th half off.  It’s a great opportunity to give yourself a much needed tune-up, commit to your health and well-being, and move into spring with a true sense of renewal.

To Your Health!

With Love,

Malibu Acupuncture & Herbs

News

New study on Acupuncture for Allergies

Allergy sufferers who use acupuncture already know how much it helps with stuffy or runny nose, itchy eyes, sinus, head congestion and other symptoms that come with allergies.  But a recent study in the Annals of Internal Medicine now proves it.  

The results of the study showed that those who took anti-allergy medication and received acupuncture reported an improved quality of life compared to those who only took medication (there wasn’t a test group for those who only received acupuncture).  

For best results in treating allergies, acupuncture should be used both during and in between allergy seasons.  

Herb of the Month

Milk Thistle

A pink colored relative of the daisy family, milk thistle is found native in the Mediterranean, North Africa and the Middle East.  It’s name “Milk Thistle” originates from the white splashes of color found on the  leaves that look like milk.  

Milk thistle’s unique beauty is a testament to it’s tremendous benefits for liver and gallbladder functioning.  Ancient cultures throughout history have recorded milk thistle as protective and restorative for liver.  Modern day science has followed their lead and conducted many studies on milk thistle. Some studies show that milk thistle can help those with alcohol-related liver disease, and livers damaged by industrial toxins. A 2010 study from the journal Cancer showed that milk thistle can help reduce liver damage from the effects of chemotherapy.  

The active ingredient in milk thistle, silymarin is both an anti-inflammatory and an anti-oxidant.  In summary, the benefits of milk thistle include*:

* Prevents and repairs liver damage from toxic chemicals and medications
* Benefits the liver in conditions such as cirrhosis, jaundice, hepatitis
* Helps lower LDL cholesterol and prevent heart disease
* Improves insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes
* Reduces growth of cancer cells in breast, cervical and  prostate cancers 
* Reduces liver damage from chemotherapy in cancer patients

* Some, not all benefits have been proven scientifically to date.

Special Points

Liver and Gallbladder Cleansing

Did you know that the liver is responsible for filtering all of the body’s blood 20 times a day? Think of it as your water filter that clears out heavy metals and particles from your water.  

The liver has over 500 functions in the body.  To name a few, the liver:

• Manufactures hormones, bile and digestive enzymes 
• Breaks down fats
• Produces urea
• Stores important nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and glycogen
• Purifies and clears waste products, environmental toxins, alcohol, drugs

Many people are familiar with the liver, but what about the gallbladder?  While it is rather common these days to remove the gallbladder due to gallstones with the consensus among most allopathic doctors that the gallbladder has little importance to the functioning of the body, the gallbladder actually has some very important jobs.  

A small pouch that sits directly under the liver, the gallbladder is responsible for storing and properly secreting bile.  Bile is a fluid that is essential for digestion. It breaks down fats so the body can use them as in fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K.  Bile is also a powerful antioxidant that helps remove toxins from the liver.

Liver and gallbladder cleanses are used to stimulate elimination of wastes from the body, open the blood and lymph flow to the liver, increase bile flow, reduce gallstones, and improve overall organ functioning.  

Here are some signs/symptoms you may benefit from a liver/gallbladder cleanse:

• indigestion, bloating, gas, sluggish bowels
• difficulty regulating stress, chronic tension or pain
• headaches or migraines
• weak immune system
• allergies
• mood swings, irritability, frustration
• gallstones
• high cholesterol
• difficulty digesting fats
• other issues of the liver or gallbladder

A Liver/ Gallbladder cleanse can easily be conducted within the scope of your everyday life.  Dietary changes are necessary along with the use of specific herbal and nutritional supplements.  Depending on your health goals, a liver/gallbladder cleanse can range from beginning to advanced.  First time cleansers should always start at the beginning level for optimal results.  

For more information on liver/gallbladder cleansing call the office or stop by. 

Ask Lauren

I would like to try lowering my cholesterol naturally before going on cholesterol medication.  What do you recommend?

Borderline and high cholesterol levels can be lowered in most cases with lifestyle changes.     This is extremely helpful for those who shy away from medications, have side effects to cholesterol medications, or simply do not respond well. While working with your doctor and acupuncturist, I suggest: 

1.  Eat a healthy diet– Eat a diet that is low glycemic, high in fiber, phytonutrients and omega 3s. Include legumes, nuts, seeds, and grass-fed hormone -free animal protein in moderation.  Reduce your consumption of cholesterol rich foods including cheese, eggs, shellfish, processed meats and fried foods.

2.  Exercise.  Exercise helps lower triglycerides and raises levels of HDL “good cholesterol”.  It’s not just cardio, but a combination of aerobic, resistance training and endurance exercise that assists in healthy cholesterol levels. “Consistent regular exercise can lower triglycerides by 30-40% and boost HDL by 5-8 mg/dL”  says  Dr. Patrick Mcbride, the director of the preventative cardiology program and cholesterol clinic at the University of Wisonsin School of Medicine and Public Health.

3. Take supportive herbs and nutritional supplements. These include red rice yeast, Vitamin D3, Omega 3s, Psyllium husk*

4.  Liver Cleansing.  Since the liver processes cholesterol in the body, cleansing the liver in some cases can be beneficial.  With with your acupuncturist to establish the liver cleanse that’s right for you.  

* As with all herbs and nutritional supplements, quality is extremely important.  Check with your acupuncturist for recommendations. 

Recipe of the Month

Crispy Kale Chips

Looking for the perfect healthy and satisfying snack?  Kale chips are your answer.  They’re fast and easy to make, and the ideal food to keep around the house on the kitchen counter where everyone goes looking for a quick snack. Forget sugary or carbohydrate-laden snacks, kale chips are a snack you can feel great about eating. And   they’re so delicious even kids love them!

Ingredients

1 head of Lacinato Kale
Olive Oil
Sea salt

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. Wash the kale thoroughly and separate into leaves.  Pat dry.

3. Tear the kale leaves into large sections.  They will shrink in the oven so larger pieces will give you larger chips.

4.  Place kale in a large bowl.    Toss in 1 TBS of olive oil at a time so that kale is lightly coated with oil.  Sprinkle with sea salt.

5.  Place kale leaves on a lined baking sheet in a single layer.

6.  Bake for 12-14 or until crisp.  Keep an eye on them as they tend to burn easily.  For evenly baked chips toss them around about 5 minutes before they’re done baking.

Special Offer

Regenerate Your Health Buy a Series of 5 sessions and get the 6th half off *Must be purchased by March 31st and used by April 30th.