KEEPING YOUR LIVER AND KIDNEYS HEALTHY - VOLUME 13, ISSUE 1 - APRIL 2021

With spring here, I'm once again interested in spring cleaning our bodies and, this year, I'm focusing on the liver and kidneys in particular.

I'm sure you're aware that the liver and kidneys play major roles as parts of our digestive system, including detoxification and removal of waste products. For more detail, please see our newsletter of April 2018.

There are a number of general steps you can take to keep your liver and kidneys healthy, as well as specific foods and supplements that can help keep them healthy.

• Maintain a normal weight. If you are concerned about losing weight, please contact our office at 613.829.0427 for a consultation; we offer a very effective weight loss program.

• Exercise: Physical activity almost every day, such as brisk walking or something equivalent, is recommended.

• Drinking plenty of water is essential, particularly for healthy kidneys.

• Don't smoke.

• Limit alcohol intake.

• Get enough good-quality sleep.

Eat a healthy diet for your liver and kidneys.

Liver

The first step is to remove toxic foods from your diet, including processed foods. Avoid hydrogenated oils (trans fats), refined sugar, other refined carbohydrates, convenience foods and processed meats.

Foods that naturally cleanse your liver:

• Green tea is generally considered to be good for our health, and it may benefit the liver. A Japanese study found that drinking 5 to 10 cups of green tea a day was associated with improved blood markers of liver health.

• Cruciferous vegetables including cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and kale are a major source of glutathione which triggers toxin cleansing enzymes of the liver. Juicing may help you more easily consume enough of these vegetables (4-5 servings per day) to give your liver the full benefits. These vegetables help reduce acid levels in the body, and the high fibre content helps flush out toxins. Other vegetables and spices can be added to improve the flavour of the juice.

• Eat plenty of potassium-rich foods to help lower systolic blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and support cardiovascular health, in addition to helping cleanse your liver. Potassium-rich foods include sweet potatoes, tomato sauces, beet greens and spinach, beans (e.g. white beans, kidney beans and lima beans), and bananas.

• The spice turmeric (curcumin is the active ingredient) helps flush out toxins and contains antioxidants that repair liver cells. It also boosts bile production.

• Citrus fruits, in addition to providing vitamin C, aid the liver's synthesizing of toxic materials into water-soluble substances that can then be removed from the body. Grapefruit antioxidants are particularly effective in protecting the liver by reducing inflammation.

• Beets can break down toxic wastes so they can excrete more quickly.

• Garlic contains sulphur which activates liver enzymes that help flush out toxins. Garlic also contains selenium which helps boost the natural antioxidant enzyme levels in the liver.

Kidneys

Again, the first step is to avoid foods that are not kidney-friendly, the best-known example is salt because it can increase blood pressure and can aggravate chronic kidney disease (CKD). Note that many processed foods, convenience foods, cured foods and salted snacks contain high levels of sodium and should be limited or avoided.

While potassium is good for the liver, too much potassium can be detrimental to the kidneys for people who have existing kidney disease. If you would like to discuss balancing the health of the liver and kidneys with respect to potassium consumption, please contact our office at 613.829.0427 for a consultation. People with CKD also need to limit their protein and phosphorus intake.

• High-antioxidant fruit, namely cranberries, black cherries and blueberries, are highly recommended. Cranberries or cranberry juice help prevent and treat urinary tract infections (UTI). Celery juice is also recommended for a kidney cleanse. Black cherries and blueberries contain resveratrol, an antioxidant that is very effective to treat gout and eliminate uric acid.

• Beets support kidney and adrenal health and are high in NO (nitric oxide) which is vital for good kidney function.

• Spirulina and chlorella have been known to cleanse the body (including kidneys) of heavy metals.

• Lemon juice (freshly squeezed) in water first thing in the morning helps with digestion and detoxification, as well as helping to prevent kidney stones.

• Spinach is high in B vitamins and certain antioxidants that help cleanse the entire body, especially the kidneys.

If you are interested in going deeper, and doing a cleanse that focuses on your liver and kidneys, please call 613.829.0427 to arrange a consultation. We have a very safe and effective program for this, and I would be glad to help you.

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Featured Nature's Sunshine product: Tiao He Pak

How It Works: Tiao He Pak is designed to support the cleansing mechanisms of the body by targeting the digestive system and large intestine. Traditional cleansing herbs help rid the body of impurities and accumulated buildup through the intestinal system. It's important that the bowels are moving well during a detox (which explains the inclusion of LBS II). Cleansing is an important first step on the road back to health and a well-established concept in the tradition of herbal medicine. Completing a comprehensive herbal cleanse, according to traditional herbal medicine, leaves one feeling rejuvenated and refreshed. Tiao He is a Chinese phrase denoting the restoration of harmony and balance.

The Tiao He Cleanse is a 10-day program that gently cleanses the liver. The Body Detox cleanses all of the elimination systems. LIV-C cleanses the liver; Red Clover cleanses the blood. The rest work on the intestinal system to stimulate elimination (Psyllium Hulls, LBS II, and Black Walnut Hulls). All these herbs are found in the Tiao He Pak, and it's such an easy cleanse.

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Supplements

There are a number of supplements to help you maximize your liver and kidney health. You can find information about these products and purchase them in our online store:

• Cranberry & Buchu Concentrate

• Dandelion

• Detox Basics

• K

• LIV-GD

• LIV-J

• Milk Thistle

• Parsley

• Potas

• Tiao He Pak

• Turmeric Curcumin

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References:

1. Spring liver and kidney cleanse. Newsletter, April 2018, Volume 10 Issue 1. https://www.ramilas.com/news/2018/4/30/spring-liver-and-kidney-cleanses-april-2018-volume-10-issue-1 Accessed March 23, 2021.

2. Axe J. Detox your liver: try my 6-step liver cleanse. https://draxe.com/nutrition/liver-cleanse/ December 8, 2020. Accessed March 21, 2021.

3. The 8 super-foods that naturally cleanse your liver. https://www.mitoq.com/blog/blog/19-super-foods-naturally-cleanse-liver November 5, 2019. Accessed March 23, 2021.

4. Hills J. Renal diet: proven foods for healthy kidneys & foods you must avoid (science-based). https://www.healthyandnaturalworld.com/renal-diet/ Accessed March 23, 2021.

5. Axe J. How to do a kidney cleanse to boost energy and heal your adrenals. https://draxe.com/health/kidney-cleanse/ August 1, 2018. Accessed March 8, 2021.

Disclaimer: The suggestions and recommendations in this newsletter are not intended to be prescriptive or diagnostic. The information is accurate and up to date to our knowledge, but we are not responsible for any errors in our sources of information.

SPRING LIVER AND KIDNEY CLEANSES - APRIL 2018 - VOLUME 10, ISSUE 1

Volume 10, Issue 1 April 2018 Spring Liver and Kidney Cleanses [twittertweet] [lnkdinshare] I hope you're enjoying the early signs of spring! It's time again for spring cleaning, and of course, that includes ourselves, not just where we live. This month I want to focus on cleansing the liver and kidneys. Read on below... These newsletters will help you make better choices for better health. The choices that you make today can either have a positive or negative impact on your overall health. Begin by choosing better as it is a step toward longevity. Ramila Padiachy Doctor of Natural Medicine (DNM)® Liver and Kidney Cleanses There are many, many different ways to go about a liver or kidney cleanse. This newsletter can only give you some general suggestions. If you are interested in more detail, please make an appointment to see me. Prevention of liver and kidney disease First, it makes sense to look at prevention of ill health of your liver and kidneys: The health of your liver and kidneys is very much dependent on maintaining a normal weight. The obesity epidemic along with metabolic syndrome (see our newsletter of August 2017) and type 2 diabetes are major risk factors for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). So by maintaining a normal weight and avoiding both metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes, you've already done a lot to keep your liver happy. If you are concerned about losing weight, please contact our office at 613.829.0427 for a consultation; we offer a really effective weight loss program. Another important preventive measure is exercise. Physical activity almost every day is recommended. Brisk walking or something equivalent is good. Drinking plenty of water is essential, particularly to keep your kidneys healthy. The amount you should drink per day: your weight in pounds divided by 2 equals the number of ounces you should drink to a maximum of 100oz. You also need to eat a healthy diet. Don't smoke. Limit alcohol intake. Get enough good quality sleep. Liver Functions of the liver The liver is a very busy and important organ. Some of its essential functions include: processing nutrients absorbed by the intestines so they are more efficiently absorbed regulating blood composition to balance protein, fat and sugar destroying old red blood cells producing essential chemicals to help blood clot properly breaking down and metabolizing alcohol and medications producing essential proteins and cholesterol removing toxins from the bloodstream storing minerals, iron and vitamin A Cleanse your liver With our constant exposure to toxins in our environment, not to mention processed foods, the liver could use some help! To help your liver cleanse itself, it's important to: Remove toxic foods from your diet. This means processed foods (and all the additives they contain), sugars and other refined carbohydrates, and trans fats (hydrogenated oils). Drink raw vegetable juice. Vegetables ideal for a liver cleanse include cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts. You can add other vegetables you like for a more appealing taste, such as carrots, cucumber, beets and greens. You can also add fresh herbs such as parsley, mint, ginger and others to make the juices more enjoyable. Load up on potassium-rich foods. They help to lower systolic blood pressure, lower cholesterol and support a healthy cardiovascular system, in addition to helping to cleanse your liver. Sweet potatoes are actually even richer in potassium than bananas. One medium sweet potato has only 131 calories, yet is rich in vitamins B6, C, D, magnesium and iron. Even though it is naturally sweet, the sugars are released slowly into the bloodstream through the liver, without causing a spike in blood sugar. Tomato sauces contain concentrated potassium compared to fresh tomatoes. Beet greens and spinach are rich in antioxidants, and can be added to your fresh juice recipe, added to salads, or lightly sautéed. Beets also naturally cleanse the gallbladder and improve bile flow. Beans, especially white beans, kidney beans and Lima beans are all rich in potassium, protein and fibre. Bananas help with digestion and help to release toxins and heavy metals from the body, in addition to being rich in potassium. Take milk thistle, dandelion and turmeric/curcumin. (See the links to Nature's Sunshine products below.) Milk thistle helps to eliminate the buildup of heavy metals, prescription medications, environmental pollutants and alcohol in the liver. The active ingredient, silymarin, helps to strengthen the cell walls in the liver and supports regeneration. Dandelion is not just a weed, it is packed with vitamins and minerals. Dandelion root has a natural diuretic effect, allowing your liver to more quickly eliminate toxins. It also helps strengthen the immune system, balance blood sugar levels, relieve heartburn, and soothe digestive upset. Turmeric or curcumin supports a healthy liver, aids in digestion, helps to restore a healthy blood sugar balance, and is an effective antidepressant. Kidneys Function of the kidneys The kidneys also play a major role in detoxifying your body; they clear waste, balance body fluids, form urine and help maintain the body's pH, and regulate blood pressure. They process the blood to sift out waste products and extra water - these become urine. Cleanse your kidneys Helpful supplements include Nature's Sunshine products K, Potas, Parsley, GreenZone (spirulina and chlorella), in addition to Dandelion, CurcuminBP, and Ginger. Recommended herbs include stinging nettle, burdock, ginger and turmeric. High-antioxidant fruit: Cranberries are especially good because they also prevent UTIs (urinary tract infections). Black cherries and blueberries are also excellent. Beets stimulate the production of NO (nitric oxide) which increases circulation and naturally cleanses the blood, as well as supports kidney function. Seaweed contains spirulina and chlorella which have been shown to detox heavy metals from the body. You can also obtain these from Nature's Sunshine's GreenZone. Lemon juice (freshly squeezed) in water is recommended first thing in the morning. It helps with digestion and detoxification. It also helps to prevent kidney stones. Spinach is high in B vitamins and certain antioxidants that help cleanse the entire body, especially the kidneys. I hope this helps you with your personal 'spring cleaning'. Stay tuned - next month, we'll look at the benefits of decluttering your home. References Definition & facts of NAFLD & NASH. niddk.nih.gov/health-information/liver-disease/nafld-nash/definition-facts November 2016.  Accessed March 29, 2018. Mayo Clinic Staff. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nonalcoholic-fatty-liver-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20354567 March 7, 2018. Accessed March 29, 2018.  Axe J. Detox your liver: try my 6-step liver cleanse. draxe.com/liver-cleanse/ Accessed March 28, 2018. Hills J. Kidney cleanse: the best foods an herbs for kidney health. healthyandnaturalworld.com/best-foods-and-herbs-to-cleanse-your-kidneys/ Accessed March 28, 2018. Axe J. How to do a kidney cleanse to boost energy & heal your adrenals. draxe.com/kidney-cleanse/ Accessed March 28, 2018. Disclaimer: The suggestions and recommendations in this newsletter are not intended to be prescriptive or diagnostic. The information is accurate and up to date to our knowledge, but we are not responsible for any errors in our sources of information. Supplements There are some Nature's Sunshine supplements that are relevant to this newsletter. You can find information about these products and purchase them in our online store: K CurcuminBP Dandelion Milk Thistle LIV-A LIV-C BP Potas Parsley Ginger GreenZone "In May 2005, I contracted a viral throat infection which persisted for several weeks and made swallowing difficult. A medical test confirmed that the infection was not bacterial and no treatment was prescribed. During this time, Ramila detected a virus in my body through sensitivity testing and cleared it from my body a week after detecting it. My throat infection began to diminish within a few hours of the virus being clearing and it disappeared the next day." -Philip, Ottawa For additional information, please email info@ramilas.com or call Ramilas Healing Arts Clinic at 613.829.0427 for an appointment. Please continue letting friends and family know about this newsletter. Also, on our website, please see back issues of this newsletter, information about services, products and our clinic, and order products. AVAILABLE NOW thebellyofthebeast.ca 1437 Woodroffe Avenue Ottawa ON (map)