n.a.s.h, anybody else have it?

[ky_sunshine]

I've been diagnosed as having nash, non alcoholic steatohepatitis.  Basically is a fatty liver with inflamation and scarring.  I've read alot about it,  My liver is severly fatty with inflamation and mild scarring.  I was wondering if there's anybody else on here that has it?  I'm kinda scared, ive cut the fat almost out of my diet, but loosing weight is hard, if you loose it to fast it can make things worse, but im afraid to eat anything, and other times i feel as though i'm starving.  If anybody is struggling with this please drop me a message and let me what your plan is.

[janie1201]

I have a good one, I have Nash and gastroparesis? I can't eat fresh veggies or fruits. There is very little I can eat. Oh I am type 2 diabetic also.

[kharris79]

IF YOU HAVE NASH CIRRHOSIS AND THE FIBROSIS SCARRING DO NOT GO TO INDIANA UNIVERSITY HEALTH IN INDIANAPOLIS.  DR. TECTOR WILL NOT PUT YOU ON THE TRANSPLANT LIST IF YOUR 65 AND OLDER  AND HAVE MEDICARE ONLY.   THE SYMPTOMS OF NASH ARE EXPERIENCED MUCH LATER THAN SOMEONE WHO HAS  AN ALCHOLIC LIVER FOR EXAMPLE.  INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE AN ALCOHOLIC LIVER HAVE SYMPTOMS MUCH EARLIER.. AND EALY ENOUGH TO PLACE YOU ON THE LIST.

MY DAD HAD HIS BIOPSY DONE AT IU HEALTH AND HAD ZERO COMORBIDITIES AND WASN'T ALLOWED ON THE LIST.  HE NEEDED TO BE ON THE LIST AT AGE 69 AND DR. TECTOR SAID WOULD YOU RATHER A 40 YEAR OLD HAVE THE LIVER WHO CAN LIVE ALOT LONGER THAN YOU WOULD EVER LIVER WITH THE NEW ORGAN?? HE NEVER ACTUALLY OFFERED MY DAD TO BE ON THE LIST AT ALL AND WHAT'S SAD IS HIS DR.... DR. GABRHIAL WAS TRYING TO GET HIM ON THE LIST... THEY WOULDN'T PUT HIM ON THE LIST DUE TO HIS AGE ALONE.  

IU HEALTH HAS REFULSED THE MEDIATION PROCEDURES AND I'M STILL WAITING FOR THEM TO CONTACT ME .. IT'S BEEN A YEAR SINCE MY DAD DIED.   WOW!!

[donyavangogh]

also the Asian medical community suspect that endometriosis is linked to bad liver... just thought i'd mention that considering the scarring that happens in N.A.S.H. and the scarring that endometriosis can cause and any number of internal organs even you brain. :)  Just wonder why we never hear about that link between the two. oh well.. happy reading and happy eating!

[donyavangogh]

Freezing Fruits and Vegetables:

To preserve for consumption during the winter or off season see which fruits and vegetables you can freeze. The nutrients found in the above fruits and vegetables have a significant impact on our health.

Quercetin, which is found in apples, onions and other citrus fruits, not only prevents LDL cholesterol oxidation, but also helps the body cope with allergens and other lung and breathing problems.

Ellagic acid, which is mainly found in raspberries, strawberries, pomegranates, and walnuts, has been proven in many clinical studies to act as an antioxidant and anticarcinogens in the gastrointestinal tract. This nutrient also has been proven to have an anti-proliferative effect on cancer cells, because it decreases their ATP production.

The best-known of the carotenoids, beta-carotene, is converted into vitamin A upon entering the liver. Although being known for its positive effects on eyesight, it has also been proven to decrease cholesterol levels in the liver.

Clinical studies have proven that lycopene, mainly found in tomatoes, may decrease the risk of prostate cancer, as well as protect against heart disease. Lutein, which is found in blueberries and members of the squash family, is important for healthy eyes. However, it does support your heart too, helping to prevent against coronary artery disease.

Along with the above stated nutrients, there are even more nutrients found in fruits and vegetables that provide a great deal of support to our body. Almost everyone has heard of vitamin C, which keeps our immune system strong; speeds wound healing, and promote strong muscles and joints. This nutrient is scattered throughout the spectrum of fruits, but commonly associated with oranges and other citrus fruits. Potassium, which is the nutrient most Americans are deficient in, does great things for our hearts, and lowers blood pressure.

Another good food component many people don't get enough of if fiber, found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Flavonoids, which include anthocyanins, flavones, isoflavones, proantocyanidins, quercetin and more, are found almost everywhere. They are responsible for the colors in the skins of fruits and vegetables and help to stop the growth of tumor cells and potent antioxidants. They also can reduce inflammation.

Beta-glucan, found in mushrooms, stabilizes and balances the body's immune system by supporting white blood cells. EGCG is found in tea and has been shown to reduce the risk of colon and breast cancer. It boosts the immune system and encourages T-cell formation, which defends our body against sickness and disease.

Bioflavonoids, which are found in citrus fruits, are considered a companion to vitamin C because they extend the value of it in the body. These nutrients have the capabilities to lower cholesterol levels and support joint collagen in arthritis cases.

The number one excuse for not eating the required five servings of fruits and vegetables each day is they are too expensive. However, as compared to the amount of money spent on prepackaged, processed, and fast foods, most fruits and vegetables (with the exception of those that are not in season) are not all that expensive.

Because frozen fruits and vegetables retain the majority of their nutritional value, they can be an excellent alternative when certain foods are out of season.

Someone who is not able to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables each day can also drink fruit and vegetable drinks in their place. Although this shouldn't become a habit, fruit and vegetable drink mixes can be an excellent substitute when you're rushed or traveling.

The need for fruits and vegetables in our diet is growing rapidly with the type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and high cholesterol, hypertension that result from the "Typical American Diet" of fatty meats, processed sugars, and refined grains.

Great fruit drink Mixes and vegetable mixes can be found at your local health food store or internet health food store.

ALSO THIS LINK http://frontline-hepatitis-awareness.com/liver.htm explains about avoiding shellfish, raw fish, and high doses of vitamins A, D, E or K as well as other tips of what to avoid for a healthier liver!   Sorry for the barage everyone but I didn't see much on here in my hours of searching so I figured I may as well share my leg work, or finger-work, rather! hehe take care!

[donyavangogh]

Below is a link you can print this chart out from :) have fun!

http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/fruits-vegetables.shtml
The majority of people know that eating five servings of fruits and vegetables a day is very important.

By eating fruits and vegetables of a variety of different colors, one can get the best all-around health benefits. Each different color fruit and vegetables contains unique health components that are essential to our health.

Fruits and vegetables are very important to our health because they are whole foods, created by nature, that are rich in a large amount of nutrients. The processed foods that we so commonly eat, can never compare to the health benefits provided by strawberries or broccoli, which have fiber, vitamins, and enzymes built right in.

The phrase "eating a rainbow" of fruits and vegetables is a simple way of remembering to get as much color variety in your diet as possible, so that you can maximize your intake of a broad range of nutrients. The colors of fruits and vegetables are a small clue as to what vitamins and nutrients are included. By getting a variety of different colored fruits and vegetables, you are guaranteed a diverse amount of essential vitamins and minerals.

Red Fruits and Vegetables
Contain nutrients such as lycopene, ellagic acid, Quercetin, and Hesperidin, to name a few. These nutrients reduce the risk of prostate cancer, lower blood pressure, reduce tumor growth and LDL cholesterol levels, scavenge harmful free-radicals, and support join tissue in arthritis cases.

Orange and Yellow fruits and vegetables
Contain beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, flavonoids, lycopene, potassium, and vitamin C. These nutrients reduce age-related macula degeneration and the risk of prostate cancer, lower LDL cholesterol and blood pressure, promote collagen formation and healthy joints, fight harmful free radicals, encourage alkaline balance, and work with magnesium and calcium to build healthy bones.

Green vegetables and Fruit
Green vegetables contain chlorophyll, fiber, lutein, zeaxanthin, calcium, folate, vitamin C, calcium, and Beta-carotene. The nutrients found in these vegetables reduce cancer risks, lower blood pressure and LDL cholesterol levels, normalize digestion time, support retinal health and vision, fight harmful free-radicals, and boost immune system activity.

Blue and purple fruits and vegetables
Contain nutrients which include lutein, zeaxanthin, resveratrol, vitamin C, fiber, flavonoids, ellagic acid, and quercetin. Similar to the previous nutrients, these nutrients support retinal health, lower LDL cholesterol, boost immune system activity, support healthy digestion, improve calcium and other mineral absorption, fight inflammation, reduce tumor growth, act as an anticarcinogens in the digestive tract, and limit the activity of cancer cells.
  
White fruits and vegetables
Contain nutrients such as beta-glucans, EGCG, SDG, and lignans that provide powerful immune boosting activity. These nutrients also activate natural killer B and T cells, reduce the risk of colon, breast, and prostate cancers, and balance hormone levels, reducing the risk of hormone-related cancers.

Chart of Colored Vegetables and Fruit
Green

Artichokes
Arugula
Asparagus
Avocados
Broccoflower
Broccoli
Broccoli rabe
Brussel sprouts
Celery
Chayote  squash
Chinese cabbage
Cucumbers
Endive
Green apples
Green beans
Green cabbage
Green grapes
Green onion
Green pears
Green peppers
Honeydew
Kiwifruit
Leafy greens
Leeks
Lettuce
Limes
Okra
Peas
Sno Peas
Spinach
Sugar snap peas
Watercress
Zucchini
----------------------------
White

Bananas
Brown pears
Cauliflower
Dates
Garlic
Ginger
Jerusalem artickoke
Jicama
Kohlrabi
Mushrooms
Onions
Parsnips
Potatoes
Shallots
Turnips
White Corn
White nectarines
White peaches
--------------------------
Red

Beets
Blood oranges
Cherries
Cranberries
Guava
Papaya
Pink grapefruit
Pink/Red grapefruit
Pomegranates
Radicchio
Radishes
Raspberries
Red apples
Red bell peppers
Red chili peppers
Red grapes
Red onions
Red pears
Red peppers
Red potatoes
Rhubarb
Strawberries
Tomatoes
Watermelon
---------------------------
Yellow/Orange

Apricots
Butternut squash
Cantaloupe
Cape Gooseberries
Carrots
Golden kiwifruit
Grapefruit
Lemon
Mangoes
Nectarines
Oranges
Papayas
Peaches
Persimmons
Pineapples
Pumpkin
Rutabagas
Sweet corn
Sweet potatoes
Tangerines
Yellow apples
Yellow beets
Yellow figs
Yellow pears
Yellow peppers
Yellow potatoes
Yellow summer squash
Yellow tomatoes
Yellow watermelon
Yellow winter squash
-------------------------------
Blue/Purple

Black currants
Black salsify
Blackberries
Blueberries
Dried plums
Eggplant
Elderberries
Grapes
Plums
Pomegranates
Prunes
Purple Belgian endive
Purple Potatoes
Purple asparagus
Purple cabbage
Purple carrots
Purple figs
Purple grapes
Purple peppers
Raisins

[donyavangogh]

By Alison Cassar - 2006-09-07 - Article viewed 3626 times.
Find more articles like this in our Digestive System Disorders category.   Small - Big    Email article       Print    






Eating healthy foods for the liver can improve and support liver function on a daily basis. Having a healthy liver results in greater energy and general well-being.

A poorly functioning liver can result in tiredness, headaches, bad breath, allergies and intolerances, problem skin and weight gain.

If you are thinking of giving your liver a good detox see our article Cleanse your Liver for Better Health

Foods that are healthy for the liver fall into two main categories.

First are those that promote the detoxification process of the liver. And second, are those that are high in antioxidants and therefore protect the liver while it's carrying out its detoxification processes. Below are a list of the top eight foods that are considered to be good for your liver.

Garlic and onions.

Garlic contains allicin which is a sulphur-based compound needed by the liver for effective detoxification. Garlic helps the liver rid the body of mercury, certain food additives and the hormone oestrogen.


Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage).

These vegetables are very powerful detoxifiers of the liver. They contain chemicals that neutralise certain toxins such as nitrosamines found in cigarette smoke and aflotoxin found in peanuts. They also contain glucosinolates that help the liver to produce enzymes it needs for its detoxification processes.


Freshly squeezed lemon in hot water.

Drinking freshly squeezed lemon juice in a cup of boiled water first thing in the morning helps to cleanse the liver and promote detoxification. It also stimulates bile production, cleanses the stomach and bowel and stimulates a bowel motion.


Beetroot (Beets).

It's a blood-purifying tonic that is also capable of absorbing heavy metals. More information on beets


High-antioxidant fruits.

In a study done by the US Department of Agriculture at Tuffs University, it was found that the following list of fruits had the highest levels of antioxidants (in descending order): Prunes, raisons, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, plums, oranges, pink grapefruit, cantaloupe, apples and pears. Antioxidants help to protect the liver from the high levels of free radicals that are naturally produced during the process of detoxification.


Apples.

Apples contain pectin that bind to heavy metals in the body (in particular in the colon) and help their excretion. This reduces the load on the liver and its detoxification capacities.


Artichoke.

Increases bile production. One of the jobs of bile is to remove toxins through the bowel, as well as 'unfriendly' micro-organisms. It has been suggested that 30 minutes after eating globe artichoke, bile flow is increased by over 100%.


Bitter leafy salad greens (dandelion, chicory, endive, rocket).

The bitterness of these foods helps to stimulate bile flow within the liver.

[donyavangogh]

How long does it take to see results?
The liver has become a fat storage organ rather than a fat burning organ - so this situation must be reversed before actual weight loss can occur. Obviously this will depend on the extent of the fatty liver as to how long this will take. Also be prepared for the fact that you will more than likely hit a 'plateau' - where weight loss will stop or slow right down - this may go on for weeks or a month or two.  Don't be discouraged at this time - the fat loss is occurring - but is going from within your liver so you may not see any visible fat loss from the body - stick with it!  It is at this time that people will tend to give up thinking that that's it - they won't lose any more - not true!  You must be diligent and patient - the symptoms you are experiencing have taken years to develop and cannot be reversed by a couple of weeks of "dieting".  Yo Yo dieting is not advisable as the weight lost will return plus more and the metabolism will slow.

My "enzymes" are raised; what does this mean?
The elevated liver enzyme results indicate that there is inflammation and damage to the liver cells and their membranes. Liver enzymes are normally contained within the liver cells, and only when the cells are damaged and/or inflamed, do the enzymes leak into the blood stream. This can occur due to a fatty liver, alcohol excess, some medications such as long term antibiotics, and pain killers, oral synthetic hormone replacement, viral infections of the liver such as hepatitis C & B, auto-immune hepatitis, hemochromatosis, primary biliary cirrhosis, exposure to toxic chemicals such as insecticides, pesticides, organic solvents and incorrect diet.

Luckily the liver cells are very resilient and with proper diet and supplements they will repair and the enzyme levels will slowly come down over time in the case of simple fatty liver. This may take some months. It is also not uncommon for the enzyme levels to fluctuate up and down before they decrease.

[donyavangogh]

Signs and Symptoms
You may have NAFLD without any signs or symptoms. If there are symptoms, they are normally vague and non-specific. In the early stages, you may experience fatigue, malaise, or a dull ache in your upper right abdomen.14

At a more advanced stage of NAFLD, you may experience:

Bleeding from engorged veins in your esophagus or intestines
Fatigue
Fluid in your abdominal cavity
Itching of your hands and feet, and eventually your entire body
Lack of appetite
Liver failure
Loss of interest in sex
Mental confusion, such as forgetfulness or trouble concentrating
Nausea
Small, red spider veins under your skin, or easy bruising
Swelling of your legs and feet from retained fluid
Weakness
Weight loss
Yellowing of your skin and eyes and dark, cola-colored urine


Diagnosing Fatty Liver Disease
Because NAFLD can be a silent disease – one that seldom shows signs and symptoms in its early stages – many people seek advice about treatment after a routine liver test to monitor cholesterol-lowering drugs, for example, returns abnormal readings.

At this point, you will more than likely be advised by your health care provider that further testing is necessary to determine whether or not NAFLD is a factor.

==========================================================

Types of NAFLD Testing
Various tests provide details about the extent and type of liver damage you may be suffering from:15

Liver function test – This blood test can reveal an increased presence of certain enzymes, released by the liver when it is damaged.
Ultrasound (ultrasonography) – A non-invasive test, this technology uses sound waves to create an image of your liver.
Computerized tomography (CT) – CT X-rays produce cross-sectional images of your liver.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – MRI technology produces an image of your liver via a magnetic field and radio waves. Contrast dye is sometimes used for this test.
A liver biopsy– A biopsy is the only way to conclusively diagnose NAFLD. Normally performed under local anesthesia, this procedure involves the removal of a small sample of tissue from the liver – usually with a thin cutting needle. The sample is then examined under a microscope.
=======================================================

Treating Fatty Liver Disease
While there is currently no standard for treating NAFLD, trials are presently being carried out in order to determine the course of effective treatment.

General recommendations include reducing alcohol intake, treatment of lipid disorders (problems that impair the way the body uses dietary fat), strict control of diabetes (since insulin may act as a trigger), and avoidance of certain drugs and other substances known to cause liver damage.

Eating fatty foods does not itself cause fatty liver. However, recommended treatments for NAFLD also include weight loss, exercise, and the use of cholesterol-lowering medications. Bariatric surgery is indicated in some cases.

Unfortunately, most of the available treatments are ineffective at improving liver function, and they do not delay or decrease the amount of fibrosis.16 However, gradual weight loss, and possibly bariatric surgery, may reduce liver abnormalities in obese patients.

Some health care providers recommend medications such as ursodeoxycholic acid (Actigall), which may help to lower elevated levels of liver enzymes in people with liver disease.

Once a patient reaches the fatty liver stage, lifestyle habits may have already contributed to weight problems, and possibly obesity. This, in turn, can lead to diabetes and high blood cholesterol, which contributes to the fermentation process in the liver that catalyzes fatty liver...a process that mirrors the results of alcohol consumption.

Lifestyle changes, including internal cleansing with products containing milk thistle and supplementing with advanced multi-vitamins, offer the hope of prevention. Milk thistle is believed to protect the liver from damage caused by alcohol, certain drugs, toxins, and viruses. For this reason, many researchers believe that milk thistle cleanses and vitamin supplementation can halt the progression of liver disease, as well as aid in its recovery.

In the United States, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) cited sixteen studies on milk thistle's effectiveness for treating various types of liver disease. Significant improvements in liver function were found in five of seven studies evaluating the herb for alcoholic liver disease. Milk thistle was most effective for those with mild forms of liver disease.17

In addition to milk thistle, herbs and nutritional supplements containing alpha-lipoic acid, N-acetyl cysteine, and Omega 3 fatty acids are also cited by some physicians as being helpful to damaged liver.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases notes that experimental approaches currently under review for NASH patients include antioxidants, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, and betaine18. The antioxidants vitamins C and E are believed to be helpful in reducing liver damage caused by destructive, unstable oxygen molecules.

Complications from untreated non-alcoholic fatty liver disease can be grim. The seriousness of its ranking as one of the major causes of cirrhosis of the liver makes NASH a potential health problem that should not be taken lightly. If you suffer from any kind of metabolic disorder – particularly diabetes or high cholesterol – and you are overweight, it's doubly important to do everything you can to protect one of your most valuable assets: your liver.

[donyavangogh]

Fatty Liver Disease & Liver Cleansing
Recently, our medical staff has experienced an increase in calls to our customer service center with questions about non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). There is good reason for their concern.

According to the Radiology Department at the University of California, San Francisco, "Up to seventy percent of obese individuals develop non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which may progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and ultimately lead to cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease, and transplantation"1.

While unrelated to excessive alcohol consumption, the exact cause of NAFLD is unclear. Many researchers, however, believe that metabolic syndrome — a cluster of disorders that increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke2 — plays a crucial role in the development of NAFLD.

Though no established treatment is presently available for a fatty liver, studies point to the ingredients in Puristat's internal cleansing programs, including milk thistle and supplementation with various antioxidant vitamins, for prevention and protection from liver disease, as well as improved function for an already diseased liver.

============================================================

Fatty Liver Disease – Levels of Severity
A normal liver contains approximately five percent fat, and the rest of it is comprised of liver cells that perform the liver's vital work. Healthy liver cells are replaced by fat cells when the liver's fat content surpasses ten percent.3 This condition is referred to as fatty liver, or steatosis.

Simple fatty liver (steatosis) – The progression of liver damage begins with deposits of fat in the liver that cause it to become enlarged. The condition usually doesn't cause liver inflammation or scar tissue, and the risk of progressive liver damage is low. There are no symptoms.
NASH (Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis) – The accumulation of excess fat continues; inflammation and signs of necrosis begin to appear. Eventually, scar tissue forms as more liver cell injury occurs. NASH – a relatively new disease – ranks as one of the major causes of cirrhosis of the liver in the United States, after hepatitis C and alcoholic liver disease.4
Cirrhosis – Liver scarring results in a hard liver that is unable to function properly. Cirrhosis can be fatal.
On April 6, 2006, Medical News Today reported that of 152 patients studied with cirrhosis due to NASH, twenty-nine had died over a ten-year period.5

=========================================================

What Causes Fatty Liver Disease?
How a liver becomes fatty is unclear. Some researchers speculate that the excess fat may get absorbed from other parts of the body. Another theory is that the liver – for some reason – loses its ability to transform fat into a form that can be eliminated.

While the exact cause of NASH is also unknown, some believe that the disease progresses from one state to the next through a secondary trigger.

For example, when a person with one of the following conditions...6

Obesity, especially around the waist
High blood pressure (hypertension)
One or more abnormal cholesterol levels: high levels of triglycerides – a type of blood fat – or low levels of good cholesterol (known as high-density lipoprotein or HDL)
Resistance to insulin, a hormone that helps to regulate the amount of sugar in the blood
...experiences a bacterial infection, hormonal abnormalities, or an accumulation of excess iron in the liver, the liver can change from simple fatty degeneration to an inflamed state.

========================================================

Thirty-three Percent of American Adults at Risk
While NAFLD affects all age groups, it occurs most often in middle-aged and overweight or obese individuals,7 and in those who may also have elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels and diabetes.

Some scientists believe that fatty liver disease may be partly genetic. NASH was originally believed to be more common in women,8 and it is the most common cause of liver disease in adolescents.9

With the increasing incidence of diabetes and obesity in Western countries, the relevance and high prevalence of NAFLD came to the forefront in the 1990s, and has become a serious concern among health care professionals. Although exact figures are not yet available, some estimates suggest that NAFLD may affect as many as one-third of American adults.10

While a high percentage of people with simple fatty liver or NASH will not develop serious liver problems, without treatment these conditions can progress to cirrhosis, liver failure, and death.

Unless lifestyle changes are implemented, in fact, ten to twenty percent of people with fatty liver will go on to develop cirrhosis, while thirty to sixty-six percent of those with NASH will develop cirrhosis.11 In some of these cases, the only survival option will be a liver transplant.

The risk of developing cirrhosis and liver failure is greatest in people over forty-five who are affected by obesity, diabetes, or both.12

Its association with obesity means that many people with NAFLD will die of complications related to cardiovascular problems,13 rather than as a result of cirrhosis itself (as compared with hepatitis). In fact, some consider NAFLD a much more significant problem than chronic hepatitis C.

[donyavangogh]

Hi, yes i also have this condition. I had read on medical sites concerning this condition and also some natural remedies sites that you need to cut out Saturated Fats, avoid dairy products, some teas, exposures to chemicals, and starchy items such as potatos, pasta, breads... oh and cut out some salt.  You also should try to build up your liver (or detoxify it) to reverse the damage by eating garlic, onion, artichokes, broccolli and the rainbow of fruits and vegetables... now as far as calorie intake to lose weight at a healthy pace... if you are a woman be sure to have at least 1200 calories in your daily intake. 1000 calories is the very least to have, anything under that will be unhealthy and will cause your body to store the fat. SO be sure you have at the very least 1000 calories in your daily diet.  Get a calorie counting book to make it easier for you to gauge what is higher calorie foods vs. lower calorie foods, because by doing this you will be able to eat all day long if you have more lower calorie foods available to you. Buy your favorites like nectarines or peaches and the like! hehe  If you are a man, your calorie intake for losing weight is anywhere between 1600 and 2000 calories a day depending upon your activity/excercise program. Nothing below 1600 caloires or again your body will store the fat.

PLEASE REMEMBER that the fat will have to come off of your liver before you will see any weight loss results so don't lose heart if you're not seeing a difference... inside you are making a huge difference.

[ky_sunshine]

yes i recieved them.  Stenting for another year? wow does he get pancreatitis when they stent him?  You might have told me but i dont remember.  My days have been ok. very tired today, been alseep alot.  pain is mild still watching what i eat hoping that keeps the attacks away. I wish i liked veggies but i have to say not a big fan, like corn,green beans,peas, potatos that's about it.
Give my best to your dad, take care
Melinda

[Curls]

Lilium,  thanks!  I'll have to try some of these - looks interesting.  The tip on beet tips might just get me started with the leafys.  I'm visiting family now, so I think I'll give them to my mom and let her experiment first (how's that for cooking shy?)  Thanks again for getting me some good ideas to get started.

ky_sunshine, How are you doing?  good days or bad?  any new input from doctor's?  My dad's advice from tuffs was the stenting for another year might give him 20% chance to work and avoid the major surgery.  Did my direct emails come through?  It's a new feature so I don't know how it works yet.

[Lilium Frost]

=).

kale is often yummy when used in place of or even with spinach: in lasagna, pasta/fettucine, creamy enchiladas, curry, omelets, even on sandwiches. I hear that it's good in soup, though I have yet to make any soup with it myself.  kale's kind of a sharp and distinct green so a more mild yet also versatile green are beet greens.  casseroles are ideal for slipping the greens in lol.

Swiss chard is delightful on pizza - I prefer mine with sun-dried tomatoes, bacon and pesto sauce or garlic and olive oil with fresh basil. I'm sure other greens would be good on pizza too - get funky and try out different things!

you can also make eggrolls out of just about all the leafy greens - bok choy is particularly tasty in 'em.  it's usually stir-fried, the stalks cooked separately from the leaves - but I think the stalks are also good raw, slathered in dip and the leaves raw in salad.  

asian noodles or rice and sauted greens of your choice with garlic and mushrooms (and whatever else you want to add: carrots, zucchini, meat --) go well together - top it with ginger sesame or teriyaki dressing and it's delicious.

this lady has some good recipes for all kinds of different things so I thought I'd just give you a quick link : http://aveggieventuresrecipebox.blogspot.com/2005/03/alphabet-of-vegetables_6295.html.

and yeah brussel sprouts are not my thing either... I can safely say I loathe the things lol.

and just incase you needed a leafy green cooking reference here's another link:
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/kitchentips/leafygreens.html

[Curls]

Never heard about articoke or tumeric or dandelion root - I'll have to check into them.

I like most veggies.  The bagged ones are easiest to get broccolli, string beans, peas.  I eat lots of carrots raw and react a bit to corn so I don't use those a lot.  I'm not crazy about the intense tasting ones like brussel sprouts, radishes.  I have no idea what to do with leafy greens like kale to make them taste good.  Are you a good cook??  Something I admire.  

[Lilium Frost]

aw that sucks you had an allergic reaction ;(.
how about Dandelion Root? Artichoke and Tumeric are supposed to be good with helping the liver too.

and do you need some recipe ideas for keep lots of veggies in your diet?  if so just let me know what your favorite veggies are and I'll see what I can dig up!

[Curls]

Hi, There is a lot of evidence on the milk thistle.  I tried it and had an allergic reaction so couldn't continue.  I don't know anything about fat and it's effect on fatty liver.  I do know that when I tried a low fat diet I gained a ton of weight.  I also felt crummy on it and stopped short of the two weeks I'd set for myself.  To loose weight I do best when I add lots and lots of veggies into my diet - but how often to I accomplish that?  Hope you are having a good day...

[Lilium Frost]

I'm sorry - I don't have it but I just wanted to throw out some suggestions anyway.

you need fat in your diet so don't cut out everything - rather worry about where you're getting the fat from.  Moderate avocado, flaxseed oil, nuts (not peanuts, stay away from peanuts as some have a fungi on them that hurt the liver), sunflower seeds, lean cut meats etc are good sources.

and you need to eat properly to get your metabolism on the right track so don't be afraid to eat if you're hungry and make sure you eat breakfast.  

If I were you I'd also look into researching a 3 day juice fast. Start with a small amount of fresh beet juice ('cause it cleanses the liver).  You can include beet juice whether or not you're fasting though, just start with a 'lil bit at first.  Feel free to eat beets too lol.

as for losing weight, after you wake up you should do some stretches and or find a light yoga routine.  start out slow though - go for a 20 minute walk everyday and build it up to an hour a day.
walking will help get your metabolism going too.  eventually you'll feel up to adding cardio like bike riding, swimming, dancing.  

also look into milkthistle as there's evidence suggesting it helps rebuild the liver and protect it.

I hope you heal soon <3.
God bless you and take care.