L-Carnitine
Category: nutrient / amino acid
L-Carnitine is an amino acid. It is important for improving
cardiovascular function. L-Carnitine has the ability to
increase the use of fat as an energy source, thereby benefiting
triglyceride metabolism. This also has the benefit of preventing
fatty build-up in the heart and liver while improving muscle
strength.
Lecithin
Category: Nutrient
Lecithin is a naturally occurring mixture of compounds found
in all animal and human cells an dis important to many of
the body’s functions. The highest concentrations of
lecithin in humans are in the brain, kidney, liver and heart.
The benefits of lecithin can be broadly divided into 4
categories:
Heart
Lecithin acts as an emulsifier, breaking down cholesterol
into smaller particles thus allowing it to pass through
the arteries, preventing atherosclerosis and fatty deposits
from building up.
Liver
Lecithin is a natural source of choline (a B group vitamin)
which helps in liver function, and protects the liver cells
from alcohol induced liver cirrhosis.
Memory
Lecithin and choline help improve memory and learning ability.
Reproduction and development
Research has shown that lecithin and choline in pregnant
or lactating mother’s diet helps in brain development
of the child.
Licorice / Liquorice
Category: Herb
Licorice is one of the most widely used medicinal plants in
the world. Very common in Asian, Arabian and European traditional
medicine. Licorice is soothing to inflamed mucus membranes,
recommended in the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers,
and cough and asthma remedies.
Caution: In moderate amounts and short term use, licorice is safe. But long
term use or large amounts can cause headaches, lethargy,
sodium and water retention, excessive loss of potassium,
and high blood pressure.
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info on licorice/liquorice
Lind, James (Dr.)
Category: scientist/individual
In the 1700s, Dr. James Lind discovered that there was link
between scurvy and vitamin C (or the lack of vitamin
C).
Liver
Category: human organ
The liver is an indispensable organ. It is one of the body’s
major waste filtering organs. It performs at least a dozen
important functions. The following are the liver’s essential
functions as per the American Liver Foundation:
- Cleanses blood of bacteria and waste products
- Stores certain vitamins, minerals, and sugars.
- Neutralizes and destroys toxin.
- Manufactures protein
- Produces bile, an essential component for proper digestion
- Regulates production and excretion of cholesterol
- Produces quick energy on demand
- Metabolizes alcohol
- Regulates fat transport
- Monitors and regulates the blood levels of many chemicals
and drugs
- Maintains hormone balance
- Helps regulate blood clotting
- Boosts the immune system to help resist disease
- Stores iron
- Replaces its own damaged tissue
Our modern living has placed undue stress on our liver.
Alcohol, chemicals, cosmetics, even medication, needs to
be taken care of by the liver.
There are many diseases that attack the liver: hepatitis,
cirrhosis, and cancer.
Herbal cure and preventative: Milk Thistle
Lutein
Category: phytonutrient
Obtained from spinach. Strong antioxidant. Able to reduce
the risk of certain cancers.
Lycopene
Category: phytonutrient
Abundant in tomatoes and watermelons. Lycopene is a naturally
occurring chemical that gives many fruits and vegetables
their red colour. Lycopene is a strong antioxidant. Able
to reduce the risk of certain cancers (especially prostate
cancer).
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