liver help

[pete]

I have always had trouble with energy, sickness and nutritional deficincies despite a relativly healthy and active life style. I recently visisted a acupuncurist who said my problem stems from having a very weak liver. I have read that the only cure for a really weak liver is accupuncture and diet.
I can not afford to continue to make visits to teh acupuncturist every month. I have just started the diet a few months ago and have noticed a dramatic improvement in my over all condittion but I am still having problems with fatigue partly due I thinnk to the wieght loss from the diet but maybe de to improper practice and nutritional deficincy. Should I take vitamins as well? What are some foods to strengthen the liver or repair it?

[Roy Collins]

Hi Pete. Energy loss, and other deficiency is due to more than just liver. Quite often the organs involved are intestines and kidneys as well. Much of this is from over eating and from eating/drinking the wrong balance of yin/yang chi. The acupuncture is a good start but symtomatic only, so it is important to focus on WHOLE, local foods that are organically grown and to chew very well before swallowing.

The standard macrobiotic diet should offer most of what you are lacking and it would be helpful to give us an idea of what you regulaly eat; amount and type of animal food, salt intake, quantity of food, amount of bread and wheat products, beverages (alcohol, coffee?)

You may also need to text all of the main loci points on each body meridain to find out which organs are weak. You can then do external hot compresses on the organs that have stuck chi.

I am wondering if you are using miso soup or other forms of digestive enzyme enhancers (like acidophilus, spirulina, etc.) I don't really think that you will need to take mcuh in the way of supplements however if foods are properly adjusted.

What type of exercise are you doing? HAve you tried Tai Chi or CHi Gong?

I look forward to your reply.

In peace, Roy

[pete]

I only drink grain coffee and do have a weekness for bread and whaet products. I have had trouble giving these up but am working on it I think I am gluten intolerent. As far as salt intake I eat very little but do have a little bit of miso and picked vegetables daily for diggestion. I find that if I eat too much salt I get jittery and have trouble sleeping. I gave up coffee for similar reasons. I snack on fresh or dried fruits occassionally and peanuts (nonorganic). I drink very littel and have found that excessive fluids makes me shaky and weak. I occassioanlly get darkness undernieth my eyes too.
I have been eating lots of vegetables and whole grains, tofu etc but not totally organic I am slowly switching over to the organic stuff as well. I just hate that it is so expensive but I know it is best for me. I am chronically constipated right now and have a pain in my left side near my right hip. Is there anything to releave this naturally? I have started doing ginger compresses once daily and that relieves the symptoms for a short while but they return if I eat things that are a littel drier or harder to diggest. Should I see adoctor about this?

[mike chen]

this also sounds like cooking difficulties. where did you
learn your cooking style?

[pete]

I am self taught I have to admit. I picked up macro from a few books. I need to take aclass I know but I have not found one in my area as of lately. Also there are time constraints. I know "excuses, excuses" right? They say the best lessons I learned the hard way but I think I am really learning them hard I guess.

[Roy Collins]

Answers for Pete:

I only drink grain coffee and do have a weekness for bread and whaet products. I have had trouble giving these up but am working on it I think I am gluten intolerent.

RC: Yes, this may be the case as most people who eat a lot of wheat products reach a point when they can’t tolerate it anymore. You need to get checked for Celiac-Sprue Disease. Stop eating bread products altogether for now…

As far as salt intake I eat very little but do have a little bit of miso and picked vegetables daily for diggestion. I find that if I eat too much salt I get jittery and have trouble sleeping. I gave up coffee for similar reasons.

RC: A little miso soup but stop pickles until you find out what the problem is that you have. Too much salt is not god for the kidneys and bladder and makes you want to eat and drink more.

I snack on fresh or dried fruits occassionally and peanuts (nonorganic). I drink very littel and have found that excessive fluids makes me shaky and weak. I occassioanlly get darkness undernieth my eyes too.

RC: Stop all peanuts and other nuts at this time as well. Too much fat/protein and too difficult to digest. A few almonds roasted with raisins would be better. If possible try to eliminate snack time this way your intestine and kidney can become stronger. Non-organic peanuts have more chemical fertilizer than any other field crop. Can cause cancer if used too much.

I have been eating lots of vegetables and whole grains, tofu etc but not totally organic I am slowly switching over to the organic stuff as well. I just hate that it is so expensive but I know it is best for me.

RC: Yes, organic is much better than non. Even if grown outside the environment! Even if expensive it is worth it. You don’t need the tofu as it is too refined and can add to constipation problems. Eating lots of veggies, especially greens (boiled, blanched, steamed) and a side dish of boiled butternut squash and aduki beans every other day would be the best medicine for you right now and will help alkalize blood and strengthen kidney, bladder and shrink liver. Eat only cooked brown rice for grains right now. Eat 2/3 veggies (including soups/beans) and 1/3 cooked grain.

[i] am chronically constipated right now and have a pain in my left side near my right hip. Is there anything to releave this naturally? I have started doing ginger compresses once daily and that relieves the symptoms for a short while but they return if I eat things that are a littel drier or harder to diggest. Should I see adoctor about this?

RC: Liver is on right side under rib cage so this is not liver. More likely descending colon. You can use ginger compress in the am and the pm for 20 minutes per session. This will help relieve inflammation and bring circulation to stuck chi areas.
Try drinking one glass of water ½ hour after eating meals. You can also drink a cup of tea or warm water with one drop of green plum concentrate in it. This sour flavor helps the liver in the digestion process. Keep meals light and begin light exercise routine.

Try all these recomendations for about two weeks and if pain and constipation continues you should lower GI series testing from your doctor. This will help rule out if there is a serious complication. Keep us posted.

In peace, Roy

[mike chen]

yup, you really seem to know what it is you're asking your body to go through!

of course, the simplest way to learn cooking - even with all of your time/space considerations - is to go to an mb summer camp and take part as one of the kitchen staff!

(here on the west coast, we say that one summer camp is equivalent to an entire year's worth of cooking classes!)