Loving your Liver, Part II

September 24, 2009 at 8:03 AM · Filed under Edge Chat ·Tagged Candida, chiropractor, gluten-free, grain-free, healthy diet, healthy living, liver cleanse, liver enhancement, weight loss, whole foods

It has been several weeks since my first post and I am down 16 pounds. Yes, I am excited but a number doesn’t tell the entire story. I am now eating a new way…something I knew was healthier but didn’t know quite how to get there. I live near DC which has made available incredible resources and information to restore my health, including classes with a whole foods chef and attending Meetups with a local whole foods advocate group. I have learned that eating gluten-free was only the beginning for me…that I still used GF foods to model the Standard American Diet (SAD) and I still was not getting healthy. I now eat whole and raw foods in a way consistent to my personal preferences, but have room to explore this new domain. I eat very plainly for now, since I am in transition, accomplishing healing in a two-prong approach: good food and good supplementation. I am taking whole food-based supplements that are nourishing specific organs, liver and adrenals, and allowing the body to naturally repair.

In my last post I mentioned Dr. Berg’s book, The 7 Principles of Fat Burning. I currently eat a hybrid between the Liver Enhancement and the Ovary Diet (my body type). I do this for premenopausal PMS symptoms, depression and fatigue. A little more protein at almost every meal helps to keep my blood sugar level on an even keel but since I am still healing, I keep the framework of the Liver Enhancement diet. It took a few weeks to figure this out but it is working great now. I now document the cycle day where I am in the month and if in the “PMS Zone”, Day 14 until start, I add protein (eggs and fish) and up the serving size of Liver Enhancement proteins (beans, lentils and fermented/cultured dairy, such as cottage cheese, raw milk cheddar and goat’s milk yogurt). If Day 1-14, then I follow the full Liver Enhancement diet, including the cranberry drink and the supporting supplements. Alternating these seems to work with my body’s physiology: I have reduced PMS symptoms, have almost nonexistent depression and have increasing energy plus I continue to lose weight. What more can I ask?

What is important for me to note is that I no longer am eating sugar, grains, starches or non-fermented dairy. Removal of these from my diet for optimal health has become quite clear. It wasn’t enough to be gluten-free…I had to find what worked best for my body. My taste has also changed and I enjoy the difference of the new foods. My recommendation is that even the best nutrition advice needs to be tested out and tweaked for performance on an individual basis. I did want to feel better and lose weight but I am gaining a perspective and a respect for myself and my body that only consistent, dedicated interest and effort can bring. I feel more hope and have more patience that I will have what I so keenly desire: peace of mind. It is very stressful to know that something is wrong or off and try things to help but with poor results. Keep looking for your best answer…there are people and resources out there to help.

Rita 🙂

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