Study Says Dark Chocolate Can Help Reduce Dangers For Cirrhosis Patients

Cirrhosis is a serious liver disease that results in between ten and fifteen thousand deaths each year, just in the United States. It's the twelfth leading cause of disease-related deaths. Many people call it cirrhosis of the liver, although the words "of the liver" are unnecessary.

Therefore, any information that promises to help individuals with cirrhosis survive will come as good news. But recent research into the effects of eating dark chocolate on the health of the liver - especially on cirrhosis and portal hypertension - has turned up some particularly interesting findings.

The announcement was made at the Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of the Liver in Vienna, Austria, in April 2010. The report described data revealing that dark chocolate reduced portal hypertension in patients with cirrhosis.

It's easier to understand the research if you know what portal hypertension is, and the causes of cirrhosis.

Cirrhosis results from long term damage to the liver. Healthy liver tissue is destroyed and replaced by scar tissue. In a healthy person, the liver has will regenerate new cells in areas where injuries have occurred. However, once a certain amount of scar tissue has built up, the damage becomes irreversible. Blood can no longer flow through the scar tissue, and liver function begins to deteriorate. As more scar tissue grows, liver function continues to decrease. Eventually, the liver will fail, which is a life-threatening event.

Hepatitis and excessive alcohol use are the two major causes of cirrhosis. Either of them can lead to life-threatening liver damage and complications.

One complication in particular is known as portal hypertension. The portal vein is a blood vessel which carries blood from the digestive organs to the liver. When blood pressure rises in this vein, it's called portal hypertension. When this occurs, large veins known as varices sometimes develop around the stomach and esophagus. These bypass any blockages caused by portal hypertension. Because varices are fragile and already under an exaggerated degree of pressure, blood vessel ruptures can easily occur. Known as bleeding varices, such cirrhosis-related blood vessel ruptures can be extremely dangerous.

But Spanish researchers found that cirrhosis patients who ate dark chocolate reduced their risk of bleeding varices from portal hypertension.

After you've eaten a meal, blood flow to your liver begins to increase to help prepare for digestion. This causes an increase in blood pressure in your abdominal area. This creates a danger to patients with cirrhosis because they may already have increased blood pressure in the portal vein. If the pressure rises high enough, it can cause a blood vessel to rupture.

Dark chocolate contains a high percentage of chemicals called flavenoids, which have proven benefits for the heart and are especially helpful in lowering cholesterol. You can also find flavenoids in strawberries, blueberries, cinnamon, cabbage, and certain kinds of nuts. It's been demonstrated that they also reduce hypertension by relaxing veins and arteries and facilitating blood flow. It should be noted that flavenoids are not present in all types of chocolate. But the darker the chocolate, the more flavenoids it contains.

In the Spanish study, subjects with cirrhosis consumed a liquid meal containing either 85-percent cocoa dark chocolate or white chocolate. Subjects who ate white chocolate experienced a rise in blood pressure that was "statistically significant" over those who ate dark chocolate, according to the research team. This discovery indicated to the research team that dark chocolate could decrease the likelihood of blood vessel ruptures in those with cirrhosis.

As medical researchers have discovered the benefits of flavenoids, dark chocolate has actually risen to the level of "health food" instead of "junk food." or everyday candy (when eaten in moderation). The flavenoids found in high quality dark chocolate offer the same health benefits as chemicals found in darkly colored vegetables and many varieties of fruit. There are, in fact, eight times as many flavenoids in dark chocolate as there are in strawberries.

Individuals with chronic liver disease that has reached the level of cirrhosis must always be aware of the dangers of portal hypertension. For those to want to avoid portal hypertension, eating dark chocolate certainly seems to be a smart choice.

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What's Causing My Pains In The Liver?

Liver pain comes to different people in different ways. Some say their pain is extreme - it feels like like their liver is about to explode. Other patients describe a dull ache and tenderness in the vicinity of the lower rib cage. People with liver pain are also likely to complain of swelling or bloating.

Liver pain can result from a problem involving the liver itself, but liver pain can also be connected to a problem with another part of the body, particularly the gallbladder, blood vessels, or the biliary tract. Pain coming from the liver itself is usually because of inflammation of some kind. Such inflammation can be caused for any number of reasons.

Cirrhosis, fatty liver disease, liver cancer, liver failure and hepatitis are several of the most serious problems that can affect your liver. There are, in fact, many different kinds of liver disease that can result in liver pain.

If the pain comes from somewhere besides the liver, it may be due to condition of the biliary tract, like a stone. Doctors call this type of pain biliary colic. It often comes on quickly, causes several hours of discomfort, then goes away. Discomfort startsin the upper middle quadrant or the right upper quadrant, and may radiate to the areabetween the shoulder blades or to the shoulder itself.

Biliary colic usually happens because you've eaten a large, cholesterol-rich meal and your gallbladder has trouble processing all the fat. Other causes of liver pain include a liver abscess and cholangitis or inflammation of the biliary duct. Liver cysts may also cause liver pain. Poor gallbladder health can also cause what feels like liver pain.

Several medications are available that will help relieve liver pain. They include:

Drugs known as NSAIDs or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which reduce pain and inflammation. Some NSAIDs require a doctor's prescription, but other forms are available over the counter.

Meperidine (also known as Demerol)

Morphine

Whenever you start to feel pain, aching or soreness in an area near the bottom of your ribcage, you should probably talk to your doctor. Such discomfort could be the result of liver of gallbladder problems. These can be serious threats to your long term health and merit a call to your doctor.

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A Healthy Liver for a Healthy Life

Why is the Liver so important. Well according to Wikipedia read what it says.

The liver is a vital organ present in vertebrates and some other animals. It has a wide range of functions, including detoxification, protein synthesis, and production of biochemicals necessary for digestion. The liver is necessary for survival; there is currently no way to compensate for the absence of liver function.

This organ plays a major role in metabolism and has a number of functions in the body, including glycogen storage, decomposition of red blood cells, plasma protein synthesis, hormone production, and detoxification. It lies below the diaphragm in the thoracic region of the abdomen. It produces bile, an alkaline compound which aids in digestion, via the emulsification of lipids. It also performs and regulates a wide variety of high-volume biochemical reactions requiring highly specialized tissues, including the synthesis and breakdown of small and complex molecules, many of which are necessary for normal vital functions.

To put it simply the liver is the filter of the body. If the filter is not clean as in the air filter of a car the dirt gets into the fuel and therefore causes all kinds of problems. So it is with the liver of the body if it is not kept in good shape then toxins and poisons can get into the bloodstream and cause all kinds of problems.

Do yourself a favour and make sure you are eating lots of foods that are good anti-oxidants for the liver. Such foods include blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, black grapes, watermelon and pomegranate to name a few. I personally love the ACAI Berry from Brazil as being one of the best anti-oxidants on the planet.

Remember whenever you drink too much alcohol and too much coffee you are harming the liver which is why it is so important to bring it back into good shape by eating foods and drinking juices that are full of antioxidants and phytonutrients and bioflavinoids.

Feel free to check out my other articles on Anti-oxidants and their function.

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Detox Diet Tips - How to Detox Your Liver

Liver is an important part of body performing many important functions. Problem in liver functioning slowly affects all body organs like kidney, lungs etc. Thus its ones responsibility to help its liver perform well by supporting it with detox diet and avoid high calorie and sugar content which is harmful for liver. Liver problems can leads to severe health complication as absence of purification and other functions that liver performs for the body.

Detox diet is not a medication but rather regular diet which one should make habit to follow on regular intervals for a healthy life. It consist of consuming herbal products which generally have high antioxidants, lots of juices, restrict diet to vegetables and fruits and say no strictly to all kinds of processed and fast foods so popular nowadays. Detox diet will make one feels just like cleaning a vacuum cleaner filled with dirt and dust. It will clean liver by making accumulated food absorbable by the body; it will increase capability of blood to clot and cleans toxins in a better way. By putting less pressure on liver, liver will function well and body will be clear of toxins making one feel much more energized and feel as if you can never be sick. It also helps in reducing obesity since liver stores fats and sugars in it.

Top liver detox diet includes following:

1. Say no to chemicals: Before starting taking something good, its must to say no to the harmful things. Thus before taking us detox diet to help liver perform, its must to stop taking what is causing damages to liver so that the good can perform its function well. Its must to stop consuming alcohol, fats and sugar which are harmful and which contribute towards accumulation of toxins. Stopping them will help liver clean toxins better.

2. Water is must: Like we all flush our waste, and clean utensils with water, in the same way even our body inside needs water for its cleaning. Its water which flushes toxins out from the body. One must have at least 8 glass of water a day for proper cleaning of the body.

3. Fiber intake: fibers facilitate body cleansing and blood purifying. One can say its natural detergent to clean body. Fiber is present is large amount in fruits, cucumber, leafy green vegetables, wheat etc. Acai berry is a fruit which is not just rich in fiber but also contains high content of minerals, vitamins and anti oxidants for good health of the body.

4. In order to cleanse and decongest the liver is to start with with fresh lemon juice in the morning.

5. Several essential including Vitamin C; Vitamin E; Vitamin A, Selenium and zinc are necessary for Supports liver detoxification and protect the liver against toxins.

6. Regular physical activity helps you to detox naturally. It improves functioning of the liver as well as excretion of toxins. Exercise stimulates excretion of toxins through sweat.

7. Milk Thistle, tea, Ginger are an excellent herb that can help cleanse the liver.

One should make it a habit to include as much fibers, fruits in daily routine diet. And in regular intervals just live on them in order to provide liver support to clean body of accumulated toxins, fats , sugars and other harmful substances properly. Just like we need to clean our vacuum filter before it can clean more, we need to clean our liver as well so that it can keep cleaning for our body.

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What Liver Disorders Cause Liver Enlargement?

Enlarged liver is a dangerous disorder which results from a variety of diseases, conditions or illnesses. There can be serious medical consequences for anyone who has it. The size of the growth ranges all the way from slightly enlarged to grossly enlarged. Some have described the human liver as resembling a small American football in shape. It usually weighs between three and four pounds, or one and a half kilograms.

The medical name for an enlarged liver is hepatomegaly.

An enlarged liver is usually a symptom of some other liver problem. It is not considered a disease in and of itself.

Any of the following liver disorders may result in an enlarged liver.

* One of several forms of hepatitis.

* Polycystic liver disease.

* Certain types of infections that have an impact on the liver, including mono and malaria.

* Liver cysts, or small sacs that grow on the liver. They may be empty or may contain watery or mucous-like fluids.

* Cirrhosis, typically the result of a disease like hepatitis or an addiction to alcohol or drugs. Cirrhosis is characterized by scarring of liver tissue, which reduces liver function.

* Fatty liver disease, which occurs when fat accumulates in the liver because of poor eating habits and other causes. This fat reduces the ability of the liver to perform its many functions.

* Certain forms of cancer have been known to cause an enlarged liver. Leukemia is perhaps the most common of these.

Symptoms often depend on the degree of enlargement. A slightly enlarged liver won't present any symptoms. But a grossly enlarged liver may cause abdominal fullness and some pain.

Other liver enlargement symptoms may include one or a combination of the following.

* A condition known as ascites. This disorder is characterized by an accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, which separates abdominal organs from the abdominal lining.

* Cholestasis, a condition in which the flow of bile from the liver through the bile ducts is obstructed.

* Jaundice, which causes the skin and eyes to take on a yellow color.

It's important to know the cause of an enlarged liver in order to determine the best course of treatment. Often, the cause is excessive drinking. When this is the case, the solution is to stop drinking. If excessive alcohol use is not the problem, then poor diet and lack of exercise could be the reasons. Your health care provider will offer some suggestions about changing your lifestyle.

If you want to prevent any future problems from an enlarged liver, here are some commonly accepted recommendations.

Drink alcohol in moderation, or stop completely. It's also important never consume alcohol while you're taking other drugs.

Be careful when taking multiple medications, and be sure to follow dosage instructions carefully.

Don't take herbal supplements unless you talk to your doctor about them. Some may harm your liver.

Certain combinations of vitamins may also be unhealthy for your liver. Make sure your health care provider approves vitamin usage involving vitamins A, D, E and K.

Be wary of certain common household products. Some aerosols, insecticides and cleaners can harm the liver. Be sure to use such products only in places that are well ventilated.

Above all, eat smart and get some exercise. Doing these two things alone will go a long way toward avoiding an enlarged liver and other liver problems.

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Liver Transplant the Most Dependable Treatment to Get Rid From Liver Failure

The human body is probably the most complicated machine in the world. The entire anatomy of human body is still a mystery to even the best doctor in the human world. The human body consists of many complicated systems that are further made up of organs. The smooth functioning of the entire human body completely depends upon the functioning of all the organs that form the particular system. The human body cannot tolerate any damage to any part of the body as it suffers from a breakdown. The digestive system of the body is a very important part of the digestive system that is responsible for the digestion of the food that is taken by the human beings.

The liver is the largest organ in the body and it weighs about 3lb which is nearly 1.36 kg. It is located in the right part of the abdominal cavity and generally it is placed just under the diaphragm. It performs a very active role in the digestion of the food and then sending it to the different parts of the body. However, apart from that the liver performs some more tasks that include breaking down fats, converting glucose into glycogen and producing urea in the body. It also stores various vitamins (like A, D, and K). it is also known for its capacity of producing cholesterol in the body. So, depending upon the function of this major organ of the human body, one can easily understand the importance of live in the human body.

The most concerning fact about this major organ of the body is that this is one of the most common organs that it goes out of order at any point of time. The non-functioning of liver can cause serious problems in the human body and the treatment is almost unavoidable. As far as common treatments of liver are concerned, they are not very successful and can show their effect for a certain period of time. Dialysis is a very common treatment of liver failure that people often undergo when the crisis gets severe. Therefore, the liver transplant is the most dependable treatment for a person who is suffering from a major liver failure. As per the present data available from all over the world is concerned, more than 100 thousand people suffer from major liver failure every year and many of them die as they cannot get the liver for the possible transplant. In the United States of America only, more than 1700 people die every year for the lack of donors of the liver.

The treatment related with Liver transplant depends upon the availability of the donors of liver. Many precautions are taken before the liver is transplanted in the body of the person who is suffering from liver failure. There is no doubt that the liver transplant is a very complicated surgical matter that must be performed under the guidance of an expert surgeon. The donation of liver is also a serious matter that is also done only after the donor meets the required medical requirements.

Generally, the donors from the same family are sought by the operating doctors: however it is not hard and fast. The donors must more than 18 years of age but the maximum age for the donation is 50 years. The donors also need to undergo various tests before the liver is operated out of their body. The donor and the recipient of the said liver must be in the same blood group. The size of the liver is also a matter of serious concern. The sizes of the livers of the donor and the recipient must be same as well. The donor must possess good physical condition. It is also important for the donor that he is not suffering from contagious diseases. To make the investigations complete, the donor needs to undergo X-ray of the chest, ECG, CT scan of the abdominal and liver biopsy. The liver is accepted and operated out of the body of the donor only after the donor meets satisfactory reports of all these tests.

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Treatment for Fatty Liver - The Natural Way

Treating most medical conditions have a few different courses of action that can be taken against them as a treatment regimen. Some of the treatments available are not your traditional style or course of action. Many individuals are opting to take advantage of other forms of treatment for fatty liver. Depending on the actual root cause of the disease, generally is the weighing factor in the specific courses of treatment available, whether traditional of non-traditional.

One of the most common non-traditional treatment for fatty liver is natural remedies. Using natural remedies to treat almost all aliments has grown in popularity over the past few years. More and more people are not willing to sit back and put chemicals into their body simply because someone else has told them to do so. Instead, using the herbs and oils that have been naturally placed on the earth are the more desired approach for most people.

Here are a few of the natural methods that have been utilized to treat fatty liver disease. Feel free to modify these tips to better meet your needs and condition. However, make sure you speak with your doctor before you begin a natural regimen because it is possible for the remedies to have a negative impact on other conditions. You might have to have a natural treatment regimen built for you to meet all of your individual health needs.

1. Exercise, it does a body good. With routine exercising you can increase your metabolism and immune system while getting into shape. The exercises can be as simple as walking an hour a day or going for a bike ride.

2. Eat healthy well balanced meals in small proportions. The old saying, you are what you eat is very true. If you put junk into your body, it will feel like junk.

3. Natural metabolic enhancers can assist in burning some calories and lose weight. As your doctor what ones would be safe for you to consume.

4. Have any other medical conditions treated by your doctor as soon as possible. This should reduce your symptoms of fatty liver disease once the other conditions are taken control of.

The treatment for fatty liver is fairly simple, for the most part. Although, losing weight and eating right are on the top of the “to do” list, this doesn’t mean you have to stop eating the good foods. Instead, it simply means you need to be more aware of what you put in your body and whenever possible increase the healthy stuff while decreasing the fatty foods and sugary intake.

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Reversing Fatty Liver and Regaining Health

Once you begin to recognize the symptoms of fatty liver disease the damage has begun. Reversing fatty liver damage is not possible, however you can very well reduce further damage by seeking medical attention. You and your medical care provider will have to determine the cause for your fatty liver and then begin taking steps to reduce all future damage.

Not everyone that is diagnosed with fatty liver disease suffered from symptoms and out of those that did have symptoms, they were left ignored or connected to another health issue other than FLD. Although reversing fatty liver isn’t possible, with a swift diagnosis and treatment regimen you are likely going to be able to gain control over it before it completely ruins your liver.

As you likely know, FLD is basically an effect of another condition and or the outcome of years of abuse to the liver. One of the most common reasons for fatty liver disease is obesity. Obesity has been linked to an array of medical conditions that are quite harmful and even deadly. Obesity is caused, typically by overeating, lack of physical exercise and little to no regard forelady well balanced meals.

Everything that goes into the body impacts the liver in one way of another. You have the choice of treating your liver with respect and nourishing it regularly or you can beat it up with fatty foods, alcohol, poor diet and lack of nutrition. Over time, the lack of “care” for the liver will inevitably cause it to swell, no longer burn through the fats fed to it. Instead the liver will begin storing these fats which in turn is the reason you feel the symptoms of this disease.

You do have several options available to you to again become as healthy as possible. The most important thing that a person diagnosed with fatty liver disease can do is begin paying close attention to the foods consumed. For example, ensuring nothing toxic goes into the body that can inhibit the liver. Another way of getting the liver back to optimal health would be to lose any excess weight, increase physical exercise and eat a healthy well balanced nutritional diet regularly.

Reversing fatty liver effects in the future is going to be a lifelong commitment. Paying close attention to every thing you put in your body is going to be the absolute best way for you to extend the health of your liver. Speak with your medical doctor about finding a healthy diet and exercise program to meet all of your needs before you begin to make the modifications. Never change things around without the approval of your doctor or other medical care provider to ensure you are not causing harm to any other medical conditions.

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Fatty Deposits on Liver - Basic Information You Should Know

Fatty liver, or better known as “fatty liver disease” and “FLD,” is a condition that can be reversed, but is where large vacuoles of triglycerides fat accumulate in liver cells by a process called steatosis, or abnormal retention of the lipids within a cell. Even though fatty acids can be blamed on a number of things, it can be considered a single disease that happens around the world in people that drink excessively and those that are considered obese.

Fatty deposits on liver is also associated with other diseases that influence the metabolism of an individual. When the metabolic rate is modified within the body, the liver is often impacted and over time can become damaged. Generally speaking, it is almost impossible to distinguish fatty liver disease that is alcohol related and a case where it is not related to alcohol, because both cases show macro-vesicular and micro-vesicular fatty changes at different stages.

The accumulation of these fat deposits on the liver may also be accompanied by a progressive inflammation or swelling of the liver which is called hepatitis and steatohepatitis. When we consider the contribution that alcohol might or might not have on the appearance of fatty deposits on the liver, this may be termed alcoholic steatosis or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, the latter called “NAFLD,” too. The more severe form is “NASH,” or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

These fatty deposits can be associated with alcohol or metabolic syndrome, but this doesn’t mean that we should exclude other possibilities. Metabolic syndrome is also associated with diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and dyslipidemia. Generally speaking, in all cases, the treatment is very similar, if not mirroring. Diet that is healthy and well balanced, exercise, weight loss and elimination of alcohol is vital to limiting future damage to the liver.

Your medical professional will likely be able to consider your other health conditions and your existing lifestyle to determine the cause for the issues with your liver. From there, a treatment regimen will be determined to treat the liver as well as the underlying cause or causes. It is important that you openly discuss your thoughts and concerns with your doctor. You should feel comfortable with your course of treatment before you agree to use that particular regimen. In the event you are unsure, feel free to ask your doctor about other options you might have.

Treatment does exist for fatty deposits on liver. This, though, depends on what is causing it, and generally speaking, by treating the underlying cause which will reverse the process of steatosis if treatment is implemented at an early stage.

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Worried About Liver Swelling?

Swollen liver is a term some individuals use to describe what doctors call doctors call hepatomegaly. It is also often called enlarged liver. The phrases swollen liver and enlarged liver are self-explanatory. So the question becomes, what is the cause of swollen liver, and how serious a health threat can it be? Those are questions that will be answered in this article.

It should be stated at the start that swollen liver is not a disease itself. It is a sign of some other liver-related problem or condition.

Usually no symptoms of liver swelling appear in the early stages. But as the but as the disease behind the enlargement progresses, signs and symptoms will most likely begin to present themselves.

Generally, a typical liver weighs between three and four pounds or 1.5 kg. It is somewhat wedge-like in shape, and and is about as big as a small American football. It sits on the right side of the body near the bottom of the ribs.

Swollen liver occurs frequently due to one or several causes. The presence of hepatitis and cirrhosis are among the most common. Hepatitis is usually caused by a virus, but can also be caused by excessive use of alcohol. The other most common cause, cirrhosis, is usually the result of excessive use of alcohol.

Cancer in or near the liver is another common cause, as is a liver infection. Liver infections are likely to occur when you have a sickness like malaria or mononucleosis.

Another condition that causes an enlarged liver is fatty liver syndrome. This condition, which is also called fatty liver disease, occurs when fat builds up in the liver

The first step your physician is likely to take in the treatment of swollen liver is to isolate the cause of the problem. If liver swelling has been triggered by cancer or an infection, it is essential to treat these disorders promptly.

When swollen liver has resulted from cirrhosis due to drinking or alcohol-induced, use of alcohol must stop right away. If an enlarged liver is not related to the use of alcohol or a liver-related disease, your doctor will probably ask that you make some lifestyle changes. Diet and exercise are helpful in both treatment and prevention of swelling in the liver.

If you believe you are at risk for liver swelling, here are some recommendations for helping you prevent it.

If you drink alcohol a lot, either slow down or stop completely. If you do not stop completely, be sure never to take medications at the same time. Doing so may irreversably damage the liver.

Never take drugs or supplements unless they are approved by your doctor, and never exceed the recommended doses. Also ask your doctor before trying herbal supplements you have not taken before. Certain supplements are capable of damaging your liver. You should also take great care with vitamins because a number of vitamin combinations can be harmful to your liver.

Be especially careful around household cleaning materials, insect killers and other chemicals. If you work with these substances, be sure that you are in an area that lots of clean air available. Some household cleaners could be particularly unsafe for the liver.

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