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LIVER CYSTS

What are they?

A cyst is the medical term used to describe a space of roundish or saclike shape in some part of the body. It may be empty or contain watery or mucus types of fluid.

It is not uncommon to find one or several small cysts in the liver when a patient has an ultrasound scan or CAT scan of the abdomen for some reason. The vast majority of these cysts are found by chance as they do not produce any symptoms.

It is important to rule out Hydatid disease. This condition occurs when humans ingest dog tape worm - Echinococcus granulose which can invade the liver causing cysts. This may occur in areas where sheep and cattle raising are done. These can be differentiated from simple cysts, which is important as they may require treatment to avoid rupture. Good standards of hygiene and regular worming of dogs can prevent these infections.

What causes cysts?

These "simple cysts" usually arise because a small area of liver cells die or degenerate. The most common cause is advancing years and poor diet and lifestyle. Sometimes these cysts can be full of "fatty material" in those with a fatty liver. These cysts do not represent liver disease because the liver, being such a huge organ, has plenty of other areas containing healthy cells to enable liver function to remain normal.

Are they common?

Solitary or multiple liver cysts are common, especially with advancing age - they have no special significance unless they are diagnosed as cancerous. Liver function is generally normal. Occasionally these cyst may cause pain but for the most part they do not cause any particular symptoms.

Can they be cured?

If your doctor finds that you have one or several of these degenerative types of liver cysts (simple cysts), do not become alarmed. Obviously you do not want to develop many more of these cysts and thankfully it is easy to stop them from multiplying. In many cases it is possible to gradually shrink the cysts using nutritional medicine.

Recommended books

General treatment

It is important with these conditions to have a strong functioning immune system - this can only come from having a strong functioning liver. Follow the vital eating principles for a healthy liver found in either "The Healthy Liver and Bowel Book" or "The Liver Cleansing Diet" Make these principles a way of life.

Those with simple liver cysts should aim to limit dairy products such as butter, processed cheese, milk and cream, which is easy to do on the Liver Cleansing Diet.
Avoid ALL margarines and similar type spreads
Avoid deep fried and fatty foods.
Limit chicken and turkey that is not free range, as this contains artificial growth hormones, antibiotics and steroids that increase the liver's workload.
Avoid ALL alcohol.
Drink 2 liters of water each day.
Avoid artificial sweeteners - see www.dorway.com Use 'Stevia" the natural herbal sweetener if you wish to avoid sugar altogether.

Raw Juices

Dr Cabot has known about the incredible healing power of raw juices from a very young age. Her grandmother's life was saved by raw juicing back in the 1930s. Raw juices are an incredibly powerful healing tool and can improve the function of the liver, bowels and kidneys. This increases the elimination of toxins and waste products from the skin. Appropriate juice recipes found in Dr Cabot's "Raw Juices Can Save Your Life" book.

Recommended juices are:

• ‘Liver Tonic Juice' page 116
• ‘Liver Cleansing Juice' page 116
• 'Antibiotic juice' p 45
• 'Immune Dysfunction' p103

Recommended supplements

LivaTone^® Capsules/Powder

A general liver tonic that contains all the vital ingredients to enhance liver function. A good, all-purpose comprehensive herbal liver tonic consists of specific herbs such as Dandelion, Milk Thistle, Globe Artichoke, Slippery Elm, taurine and vegetable extracts which will improve liver function, elimination and the reduction of waste via a cleansing effect on the bowel.

Selenium Complete Tablets

Selenium is a powerful antioxidant mineral that works synergistically with other antioxidants to assist in protection against damage to liver cells.

Natural Vitamin E

Vitamin E is required to protect liver cell membranes from free radical damage and possibly reduce and prevent scarring. Make sure you use vitamin E supplements which are natural (d-alpha-tocopherol); synthetic forms (dl-alpha-tocopherol) are derived from petrochemicals and are not well utilised by the body.

Organic Flaxseed Oil

High doses of flaxseed oil are essential for improving liver function. Flaxseed is an excellent, vegetarian source of essential fatty acids beneficial for damaged liver cell membranes and assists in reducing inflammation. Some people find the flaxseed oil capsules much easier to consume than the cold pressed flaxseed oil liquid.

THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FDA AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT OR CURE ANY DISEASES.

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