Saturday, July 31, 2010

Did you know...

... that the liver performs numerous functions for the body: converting nutrients derived from food into essential blood components, storing vitamins and minerals, regulating blood clotting, producing proteins and enzymes, maintaining hormone balances, and metabolizing and detoxifying substances that would otherwise be harmful to the body. The liver makes factors that help the human immune system fight infection, removes bacteria from the blood, and makes bile, which is essential for digestion.

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Friday, July 30, 2010

Decompensated Liver Disease

Below is a great article I had to share on Decompensated Liver Disease... Larry was a cirrhotic liver that was failing me, and actually the Pathologist that looked at him said, "It was the smallest liver I have ever seen."
It took 29 years of Hepatitis C, high iron levels, and a very rough pregnancy to send Larry into decompensation, but with Sally (my new healthy liver), proper diet, and a lot of prayer, I am pushing for another 50. YA!! Of course I also have faith that somewhere in the near future, we will find a cure for HCV!

HCV New Drugs And Liver Health: Decompensated Liver Disease: "Facts About Decompensated Liver Disease In order to understand what happens in decompensated liver disease, you need to understand some of ..."


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Monday, July 26, 2010

Anti-Aging Strategy May Help HCV Liver Transplant...

I always love to read articles on helping your liver with good eating habits... Though for some it may be challenging, there is no downfall to eating right and adding more antioxidants to your diet... and as you can see here, scientists (and hopefully soon, our doctors) are starting to "discover" this as well. Also, below are some items you should keep in mind the next time you go to the grocery store. Remember, if you are a transplant patient like me... NOOOOOOOOOOO Grapefruit! (Coumadin/Warfarin patients as well, if I remember my previous experience with it correctly)

Hepatitis C Research and News: Anti-Aging Strategy May Help HCV Liver Transplant ...: "July 20, 2010 Find out about a molecular biology discovery that has led to a new understanding about the general health decline that can fo..."

Lets keep our livers healthy guys.

List of 20 Best Foods High in Antioxidants

In the table below, the foods antioxidant power is given as per their serving sizes.


Rank Type Food item Serving size Total antioxidant capacity per serving size
1Beans/LegumesRed Beans (dried)Half cup13727
2Fruit, BerryWild blueberry1 cup13427
3Beans/LegumesRed kidney beans (dried)Half cup13259
4Beans/LegumesPinto beansHalf cup11864
5Fruit, BerryBlueberry 1 cup9019
6Fruit, BerryCranberry1 cup (whole)8983
7VegetableArtichoke (cooked)1 cup (hearts)7904
8Fruit, BerryBlackberry1 cup7701
9FruitPruneHalf cup7291
10Fruit, BerryRaspberry1 cup6058
11Fruit, BeryStrawberry1 cup5938
12Fruit Red Delicious apple One5900
13FruitGranny Smith appleOne 5381
14NutPecan1 ounce5095
15Fruit, BerySweet cherry1 cup4873
16FruitBlack plumOne4844
17VegetableRusset potato (cooked)One4649
18Beans/LegumesBlack beans (dried)Half cup4181
19FruitPlumOne 4118
20Fruit Gala apple One3903

Scientists at the USDA have developed a rating scale that measures the antioxidant content of various natural plant foods. The scale is called ORAC, which stands for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity.


Fruits Antioxidant Value
ORAC units per 100 grams
Vegetables Antioxidant Value ORAC units per 100 grams
Prunes5570Kale 1770
Raisins2830 Spinach 1260
Blueberries2400 Brussels sprouts 980
Blackberries2036 Alfalfa sprouts 930
Strawberries1540 Broccoli flowers 890
Raspberries 1220 Beets 840
Plums 949 Red bell pepper 710
Oranges 750 Onion 450
Red grapes 739 Corn 400
Cherries 670 Eggplant 390
Kiwi fruit 602
Grapefruit 483

USDA recommends to eat foods containing at least 3,000 ORAC units a day.
Moral: For natural antioxidants "Eat Fruits and Vegetables!"

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Friday, July 23, 2010

A new liver, a new LIFE!

I do apologize for the interruption... My lack of posting and investigating will return to normal soon. Actually, I am anticipating my work will get even better now, since I no longer have to take care of Ricki. That is right!! I am a retired liver. teheheeee.

I (Ricki, that is) received my new and improved liver on July 13th, 2010. Because of this, I have already noticed:
  • Mental Clarity
  • No more DAILY nausea or vomiting
  • No more bloody noses (or anything else for that matter)
  • Energy!! Whoooo hoooo!
  • an appetite
  • a brighter (and yellow-less) complexion
And that is just the beginning!
I have so much to share, but don't worry, I now have TIME to share it with you!!  I still have a lot of hard work ahead -- taking care of someone's liver is a HUGE responsibility, but I am ready... The best things are worth it!

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Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Did you know...

...that the only two medical conditions that rule out organ donation are CJD and HIV? 

So sign up now at www.donatelife.net 
Be someones hero!

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