According to Dacher Keltner, author of a study on emotion from the University of California-Berkeley, awe, wonder, and appreciation reduce the level of inflammatory cells in our body. This suggests that what we do to promote those experiences such as beholding a sunset, basking in music and listening to waves crashing on the beach has a direct influence on health.
This is the season of the liver and an ideal time to stop and appreciate the elegant design of this hard-working organ. Among its many functions the liver:
- Converts fats, proteins and carbohydrates to energy and nutrients
- Creates bile to break down fats and eliminate fat-soluble toxins and excess substances, including excess hormones
- Removes harmful chemicals, bacteria, and heavy metals
- Metabolizes drugs and breaks down alcohol
- Stores vitamins and minerals, such as iron, B12
- Stores sugars as fuel (glycogen) for future use
- Helps to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance
- Creates serum proteins that act as hormone carriers
- Creates immune substances, such as gamma globulin
- Filters blood, regulates blood clotting, and stores extra blood for quick release
- Manufactures testosterone and the estrogen hormones
- Regulates sex hormone levels and eliminates excess hormones.
Two large arteries supply blood to the liver. The hepatic artery branches from the heart carrying blood rich in oxygen. Blood enriched with nutrients absorbed from the small intestine reach the liver via the portal vein. These vessels divide into smaller vessels, ending in capillaries, which become thousands of lobules of the liver. Each lobule is composed of hepatocytes (liver cells), and as blood passes through these cells, they add nutrients and remove body waste. The cleansed and nourished blood is returned to the heart via the hepatic vein.
Unfortunately the liver can get backed up with excess toxins, hormones and drugs. Foods that naturally grow at this time of year such as dandelion, arugula, Swiss chard and kale can assist in detoxifying our livers. My current favorite detoxifying (as well as remarkably nourishing) food is Chlorella.
Chlorella is a type of algae that grows in fresh water and is the most potent source of cleansing chlorophyll in the world. It is one of the most heavily researched foods. Early studies on chlorella were focused on its nutritional value because in many ways it is a “perfect” food. It contains18 of 22 existing amino acids, including the eight essential amino acids. It has essential fatty acids (EFAs), magnesium, it increases glutathione stores in the body, contains abundant antioxidants, iron, iodine and carotenoids. It also contains Chlorella Growth Factor (CGF), which has been shown to stimulate healthy cell growth to slow aging and encourage healing. Among these nutrients are significant amounts of Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K1, all the major B vitamins (including B12); iron, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc; an abundance of naturally occurring beta-carotene and lutein.
Chlorella has a tough cell wall that needs to be “cracked” for your body to absorb the bounty inside. This fibrous cell wall turns out to have its own powerful benefits. This fiber is an excellent medium for absorbing heavy metals and toxic pollutants, which are then eliminated from the body via the bowel. This fiber also encourages the growth of healthy bacteria.
In one study mice given the heavy metal, cadmium, showed Chlorella protected the mice from damage and helped restore liver structure and function. In another study mice fed Chlorella had significantly less lead absorption in their kidneys and livers while showing more lead excreted in their feces than mice not fed the Chlorella powder.
Caution
Chlorella Does contain iron so if you have high iron levels in your blood it is better to find other detoxifying foods. If you have an allergy to iodine, please avoid Chlorella.
Sounds Great, But It’s an Icky Green Powder
Chlorella has a mild flavor, but it is very green. For some people it can take a little time to get accustomed to the taste, but it is worth it. If you make a smoothy, you can add the powder to your drink. My recommendation for maximum benefit is to drink the following first thing in the morning:
- Start with 1/2 tsp of Chlorella
- Freshly squeezed (not pre-bottled or pasteurized juice) of 1/2 lemon, lime, orange or grapefruit (if you take any type of pharmaceutical drug please be sure to check with your pharmacist to see if grapefruit interferes with your medication)
- 6 oz of water
- Blend with purified water and drink
You can gradually work up to 2 tsp. Please make sure that any Chlorella you use has been tested for heavy metals. Even organic Chlorella will absorb toxins from the air. I currently carry a brand of Chlorella that is organic and free of heavy metals.
”Spring won’t let me stay in this house any longer! I must get out and breathe the air deeply again.”
~ Gustav Mahler
*Sunset photographed by Wilson Lee
The information in this newsletter is not intended to replace the relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge from research and experience of B. Mahler, LAc.
Barbara A. Mahler, LAc has practiced
Traditional Oriental Medicine and
Nutrition since 1987 and happily continues today.