The following is an excerpt from Hot and Cold Health by R. G. Heft (Acupuncture Physician FL 1992- 2002) based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and the questioning and counseling of 10,000+. TCM is based on the theory, observation that everything, including the body is an ongoing balance of opposites, many of which we control through diet, herbs, exercise, thought, etc.
The liver is one of five major organ systems. The other four are spleen, heart, lung and kidneys. The five major organ systems work together to produce all structure and function.
The liver (large, thick, blood rich organ connected to the gall bladder) is located on the upper right side of the body, abdomen behind the lower right rib cage. All blood passes through the liver. The liver stores, cleanses (removes excess protein, fat, cholesterol, impurities) and releases the blood It also produces bile (fat emulsifier, digestive agent, which is stored in the gall bladder and later released via bile ducts into the small intestine. The liver, known as the general in traditional Chinese medicine commands the troops, blood, nutrients, waste.
The liver filters, removes and transforms excess protein and fat (lipids) into cholesterol and lipoproteins: high-density lipoproteins (HDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL). Lipoproteins regulate cholesterol. LDL and VLDL carry and harden cholesterol in plaque that binds to the walls of the arteries. HDL removes and transports cholesterol from the bloodstream to the liver, where it is broken down, transformed into bile salts eventually eliminated through the bowels.
Saturated fat, commonly found in meat, eggs, cheese, etc. increases the number of LDL and VLDL. Unsaturated fatty acids commonly found in beans, nuts and seeds, increase the number of HDL. The balance of health favors an excess, of HDL. A certain amount of saturated fat, LDL and VLDL are required. Life is a balance of opposites. You need both to exist. Too much fat, cholesterol in the liver tends to thicken, clog and overheat the liver producing various overbuilt, yang rising (TCM) pathologies.
Protein and fat (includes cholesterol) are thick, sticky, hard nutrients. In excess, they tend to thicken, clog and weaken the liver. Less cholesterol, fat are removed more stays in the bloodstream (high cholesterol) and arteries (plaque, atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure). More blood flows into the liver (clogged, swollen) than out, disrupting and reducing overall circulation, blood, especially to the extremities: head, arms and legs, producing a variety of quasi blood deficiency symptoms (pain, dryness, inflammation, weakness, shaking, etc.)
Overbuilt liver
Dietary tendencies: Overbuilt, acidic diets, High protein, high fat, Eggs, red meat, wild game, veal, chicken, turkey, fish, cheese, pizza, lasagna, French fries, onion rings, potato chips, oil; High starch, Bread, pastries, Alcohol, coffee, smoking; Low fruit and vegetables in the extreme, tend to cause Liver yang rising, pitta Swelling liver, congestion, cirrhosis, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, red face, red eyes, distention in chest, ribs, dysmenorrhea, sweaty hands and feet, arthritis, insomnia, tinnitus (loud), psoriasis, migraines, impotence, impatience, anger, violence
Stage One. Energy and blood stagnation
1 Moodiness and irritability
2. Sighing is the lungs attempt to release trapped energy and blood within the liver. The lungs (right lung sits atop the liver) expand and contract, which in turn massages, moves blood in and out of the liver.
3. Chest, rib and breast distention and or plum pit (imaginary lump in throat). The liver is located on the right side of the body, behind the rib cage beneath the lungs. Too much protein and fat tend to swell and congest the liver, causing it to press up against the ribs, abdomen, chest, breasts and throat (plum pit syndrome, difficulty swallowing).
4. Menstrual irregularities The liver stores, cleanses and releases the blood, into the body, uterus. Liver congestion via thick blood, high protein and fat and or too much alcohol, thickens, distorts and reduces blood flow to the uterus causing PMS, dark, clotted menstrual blood, dysmenorrhea (painful or irregular periods), etc.
Stage Two. Blood heat
5. Red face and red eyes
6. Anger with outbursts, shouting Long-term
7. Dream disturbed sleep The spirit (shen) sleeps in the heart (blood rich organ). Blood anchors, calms the spirit. Long-term liver congestion, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, etc. tends to overheat the blood, which in turn, overheats the heart, stimulating the shen, spirit to rise up into the brain, where it stimulates thinking, dreaming and in the extreme, wakefulness.
8. Bitter taste in the mouth.
9. Tongue has red body (sides) and a dry yellow coating The sides represent the liver and gall bladder. Excess heat in the liver, gallbladder tends to dry, redden and or yellow the tongue coating.
Stage Three. Extreme heat
10. Epitasis (nosebleeds)
11. Tinnitus (loud ringing) Long-term liver congestion, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, etc. increase pressure in the head, ears, causing a loud ringing sound. Soft ringing generally indicates kidney yin deficiency.
12. Severe insomnia
13. Skin problems (acne, psoriasis, scratching, etc) Too much protein and fat, thicken, clog and weaken the liver, increasing blood cholesterol, fat, which in turn, thickens and overheats the skin (thick, red, irritated and or oozing pus), etc. Too little protein and fat, and or dampness can also weaken the skin causing acne and or eczema.
14. Hypertension (high blood pressure) Too much protein and fat tends to clog and weaken the liver increasing cholesterol in the blood and arteries (plaque, atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis), which in turn, increases pressure.
15. Aggression or domineering attitude
16. Pain beneath the right side of the rib cage Too much protein and fat not only swells the liver, but also increase bile production, which in turn, swells and inflames the gall bladder causing pain beneath the right rib cage (area of the liver and gall bladder).
The gall bladder is a pear shaped 3-4" organ connected to and lying beneath the liver. The liver removes poisons, toxins from the blood and transforms them into bile (digestive agent), cholesterol, lecithin and other substances. One pint of bile per day passes into the gall bladder and is later released into small intestine (via cystic and bile ducts), eventually passing through the feces. Abnormal concentration of bile acids, cholesterol and phospholipids in the bile tend to create gallstones that can move into the bile ducts causing inflammation, nausea, vomiting, fever and or pain in the right upper abdomen or behind the breastbone.
Gall bladder attacks (mimic pain of heart attack).tend to occur after fried or fatty meals. The urine may become tea or coffee colored. Seventy-five percent of gallstones are cholesterol stones. Cholesterol is a byproduct of protein and fat digestion. Too much protein, fat, especially animal, fried foods, etc. tends to produce gall bladder and kidneys stones.
17. Jaundice (yellow pigmentation of the skin).
18. Gall stones Radishes and or apple cider vinegar (one TB diluted in one glass of water, three times per day) may help dissolve gallstones, in addition to low protein, low fat and high carbohydrate diet (half-cooked, half-raw vegetables). Check with your doctor first.
The colder middle diet, meal plan (for overbuilt, pitta conditions) is recommended.
Decrease, avoid red meat, veal, pork, pizza, lasagna, French fries, potato chips, oily greasy foods, etcIncrease beans, nuts, dairy, eggs, chicken and or turkey
Increase grains (whole, cracked). Decrease bread, pastries, etc. Increase vegetables, cooked/ raw, cabbage, celery, etc. Increase fruit, juices. Add Spices fennel, cumin and coriander. Add herbs: bitter: golden seal, gentian, aloe, etc. help dissolve fat and cholesterol. Green supplements spirulina, wheat grass, etc. Tea peppermint, green and chrysanthemum
Check with your doctor before making any changes to your diet.
Author Resource:-
Web: http://www.wordpress.com/richardheft, Acupuncture Physician (FL 1992- 2002), owner, operator, Food and Thought health food store, Hollywood, FL (1984- 2001), author, Hot and Cold Health (c) 2003, revised 2009
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