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Friday 29 June 2018

AFTER 15 YEARS OF WAR IN IRAQ: US has spent $32 million per hour on War-on-Terror since 2001.


The Illegal Iraq War
Is Still Laughing
At Our Face!

U.S. Has Spent $32 Million
Per Hour on War-on-Terror
Since 2001

(M. Javed Naseem)



********************************************
Summary

o:- Direct war death toll in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan
since 2001: 370,000 (August 2016).
o:- Over 370,000 people have died due to direct war
violence, and at least 800,000 more indirectly.
o:- 200,000 civilians have been killed as a result of the
fighting at the hands of all parties to the conflict.
o:- 10.1 million — the number of war refugees
and displaced persons.
o:- The US federal price tag for the post-9/11 wars is
about $5.6 trillion dollars.
o:- The US military is conducting counter-terror
activities in 76 countries.
o:- The wars have been accompanied by violations of
human rights and civil liberties, in the US and abroad.

********************************************

The evil Zionist empire has tightened its grip on world affairs with the help of bombs and guns. It is manipulating other countries’ (especially oil-rich Middle East) resources and plundering their wealth, destroying, at the same time, centuries old civilization, historic monuments and modern infrastructure, not to mention millions of people killed in the process. The ruthless Triangle of Evil (US, UK & Israel) has been killing innocent civilians, including children and women, like psychopaths with no remorse. They want control – total control – of the entire world and its resources.



The Evil Empire also owns and controls the mainstream media, therefore, common people don’t get the authentic information or facts about any situation these war-mongers are involved in. The corrupt media is serving the Evil Empire as a paid maid. So, it is difficult to get the truth out. But it is still possible and there are some brave people who are doing this dangerous and risky work just to wake people up. This is a great noble mission under the given circumstances when even criticizing the aggressor or the killer has become a crime.

************************************
You are being fooled by lies & deception!
Speak out and demand the truth!
Fight for your rights, liberty & justice!
Don’t surrender your rights and lawful
privileges in the name of ‘fake’ security!

************************************




The wheel of Iraq war was set in motion in 2003 by George Bush, in the name of War on Terror on a false and fabricated pretext that Iraq’s President Saddam Hussain possessed the WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction). The co-culprit, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, supplied the desired ‘proof’ and the war machine of the Zionist West was given the green light to attack Iraq, by the Zionist mafia. The U.N. declared it an illegal war and did not endorse it, but later on embraced it.

Till today, millions of people have been killed, one way or the other, by this illegal campaign but still there’s no end in sight – 15 years and counting! The Triangle of Evil has been exporting weapons and ammunition, plus other equipment, making trillions of dollars in profits. Anything else does not matter. War is the most profitable business for them and they export it under the label of ‘freedom and democracy’. They exported this freedom and democracy to Vietnam, Nicaragua, Philippines, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, etc., etc. – the list goes on and on! One can easily see that there is a pattern there and the same people (or countries) are the beneficiaries!

**********************************
The U.S. taxpayers pay the tab;
Children of the patriots are sacrificed;
Millions of civilians are butchered;
Death & Destruction is promoted;
But a few psychopaths get richer,
And gain control of the world!

**********************************

The modern history tells us that once America gets in, it won’t get out till that country is destroyed or its government is subdued. ‘Regime change’ is the new fashionable term being used for invasions and illegal attacks. The morons in power have declared openly: ‘If you are not with us, you are against us’. What a slogan! What a mentality! What a logic! So, the weaker, the coward and the opportunists are all jumping on the bandwagon and offering cooperation to protect their own asses and their illegitimate regimes. War has become the most profitable business for the Defense Industrial Complex of the Zionist West’s New World Order.

With more than 900 bases all over the world, the Evil Empire is not exporting freedom and democracy. It’s consolidating its hegemony of the world. During the Sept. 12, 2011, Republican presidential debate in Tampa, Rep. Ron Paul, (R-Texas) – a staunch advocate of limited government and a more modest military footprint – offered a surprising statistic about the reach of the U.S. armed forces. He said:

"We're under great threat, because we occupy so many countries," Paul said. "We're in 130 countries. We have 900 bases around the world. We're going broke. The purpose of al-Qaida was to attack us, invite us over there, where they can target us. And they have been doing it. They have more attacks against us and the American interests per month than occurred in all the years before 9/11, but we're there occupying their land. And if we think that we can do that and not have retaliation, we're kidding ourselves. We have to be honest with ourselves. What would we do if another country, say, China, did to us what we do to all those countries over there?"

Stephanie Savell is co-director of the Costs of War Project at Brown University’s Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs. An anthropologist, she has conducted research on security and civic engagement in the U.S. and in Brazil. She co-authored The Civic Imagination: Making a Difference in American Political Life.

 The Costs of War Project is a team of 35 scholars, legal experts, human rights practitioners, and physicians, which began its work in 2011. They use research and a public website to facilitate debate about the costs of the post-9/11 wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the related violence in Pakistan and Syria. Their aim is to foster democratic discussion of these wars by providing the fullest possible account of their human, economic, and political costs, and to foster better informed public policies.

15 Years After Invasion,
What Are the Costs?
By: Stephanie Savell,

U.S. Has Spent $32 Million Per Hour on War Since 2001

This March marked the 15th anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.
In 2003, President George W. Bush and his advisers based their case for war on the idea that Saddam Hussein, then dictator of Iraq, possessed weapons of mass destruction — weapons that have never been found. Nevertheless, all these years later, the global “War on Terror” continues — in Iraq and in many other countries.

It’s a good time to reflect on what this war — the longest in U.S. history — has cost Americans and others around the world.

First, the economic costs: According to estimates by the Costs of War project at Brown University’s Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs, the war on terror has cost Americans a staggering $5.6 trillion since 2001, when the U.S. invaded Afghanistan.

$5.6 trillion! This figure includes not just the Pentagon’s war fund, but also future obligations such as social services for an ever-growing number of post-9/11 veterans.

It’s hard for most of us to even begin to grasp such an enormous number.

It means Americans spend $32 million per hour, according to a counter by the National Priorities Project at the Institute for Policy Studies.

Put another way: Since 2001, every American taxpayer has spent almost $24,000 on these wars — equal to the average down payment on a house, a new Honda Accord, or a year at a public university.
As stupefying as those numbers are, the budgetary costs pale in comparison with the human toll.

As of 2015, when the Costs of War project made its latest tallies, up to 165,000 Iraqi civilians had died as a direct consequence of U.S. war, plus around 8,000 U.S. soldiers and military contractors in Iraq.

Those numbers have only continued to rise. Up to 6,000 civilians were killed by U.S.-led strikes in Iraq and Syria in 2017 –– more civilians than in any previous year, according to the watchdog group AirWars.


In addition to those direct deaths, at least four times as many people in Iraq have died from the side effects of war, such as malnutrition, environmental degradation, and deteriorated infrastructure. Since the 2003 invasion, for instance, Iraqi health care has plummeted — with hospitals and clinics bombed, supplies of medicine and electricity jeopardized, and thousands of physicians and healthcare workers fleeing the country.

Meanwhile, the war continues to spread, no longer limited to Afghanistan, Iraq, or Syria, as many Americans think. Indeed, the U.S. military is escalating a shadowy network of anti-terror operations all across the world — in at least 76 nations, or 40 percent of countries on the planet.

Last October, news about four U.S. Army Green Berets being killed by an Islamic State affiliate in the West African nation of Niger gave Americans a glimpse of just how broad this network is. And along with it comes all the devastating consequences of militarism for the people of these countries.

We must ask: Are these astounding costs worth it? Is the U.S. accomplishing anything close to its goal of diminishing the global terrorist threat?

The answer is, resoundingly, no. U.S. activity in Iraq and the Middle East has only spurred greater political upheaval and unrest. The U.S.-led coalition is seen not as a liberating force, but as an aggressor. This has fomented insurgent recruitment, and there are now more terrorist groups in the Middle East than ever before.

Until a broad swath of the American public gets engaged to call for an end to the War on Terror, these mushrooming costs — economic, human, social, and political — will just continue to grow.

(Courtesy: www.OtherWords.org, Cartoon by Khalil Bendib)

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Friday 22 June 2018

TO POWER SEEKERS: Power Means Service & Responsibility.


Election Time
Message To The Power Seekers:

Power Means Service
And Responsibility,
Delivering Peace & Justice!

(M. Javed Naseem)


“Whoso desires power, (should know
that) all power belongs to Allah.”
(al-Quran 35:10)


“Do not ask for a position of authority! …”
-- Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.)
 

Man is greedy for power, money and fame. Any one of these three elements can turn his head and he can become an arrogant person. The Almighty Allah does not like arrogance. When you become powerful, by grace of God, don’t let the power go through your head. It might prove more harmful than beneficial. Money and power (authority) can solve most of the problems the mankind is facing today. But at the same time, if these two are not rightly controlled or directed through proper channels, they themselves can create havoc in the world.

It is difficult to separate money from authority. Money is power and so is the authority. All power is evil (fitna) if it is not used for the benefit and welfare of mankind. In this age, it is the power that is creating all kinds of social, economic and political problems for mankind. Humans are known for the abuse of power. They cannot handle it. Power should be used to enforce justice, and eradicate inequality and injustice. But in this world what we see today is that power is being used to control others; to get the maximum material benefits; and escape from justice. This is corruption. Power should be taken from the hands of the corrupt and given to the honest and God-fearing. That will make the world an ideal place.

“And walk not in the earth exultant!
Lo! You cannot rend the earth, nor can
you stretch to the height of the hills.
The evil of all that is hateful in the
sight of thy Lord.”
(al-Quran 17:37-38)

Power is a Godly quality and only God can use it justly. Human beings, when given power, often try to play God and end up doing injustice to the fellow humans. They cannot resist the temptation, therefore, the corruption prevails. Power is responsibility and it should be used for the service to humanity. A ruler/governor who enjoys power, is actually given responsibility to serve his people. A ruler is a servant of Allah and he should serve His people; take care of them, solve their problems and promote peace and justice in the society. But the modern day ruler, on the contrary, considers himself as “king” of the people and takes people as his servants. He likes it very much when people gather in rows for his reception, bow in front of him and kiss his hand.

**********************************
Dishonest and corrupt politicians with
feudal background are used to exploit
the system and enjoy luxury life at public
expense! They should be screened and
barred from contesting elections.

**********************************

As per one Hadith, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) said that if a ruler lets people wait in rows for his reception, let him know that he has reserved a place in Hell.
Now, take a minute and think about it. Sometimes, a bad ruler has ignorant cronies around him who are even worse than him. They cross all limits to please the ruler and benefit from their position. Many a time the ruler is not aware of what they do.


On the Day of Judgment, all rulers would be asked questions about their people. A ruler must be a humble and God-fearing servant of people, and not an arrogant tyrant. He is responsible for social justice, equality, peace and prosperity of his nation. He is not allowed to take people’s money or property. He is answerable to God for the sufferings of his people (due to injustice), during his tenure.

“Lo, Allah commands you that you restore
deposits to their owners, and if you judge
between mankind, that you judge justly.”
(al-Quran 4:58)

The problem with us, Muslims, is that we don’t fear Allah. We don’t think that we are going to die sooner or later. We don’t think about the Day of Judgment and answering questions in front of Allah. We have become hypocrites (Munafiq) as we say one thing and we do something else. We lie to others every day and we don’t consider it a sin or something immoral. It is accepted as normal behavior in the society. We read the Holy Quran and still we don’t get the message! We read about other nations and generations that were destroyed because of their sins and evil-doing but we don’t learn any lesson from the Quran, nor from the history of the nations. We know that it happened to other nations but we think it is not going to happen to us. Why not? Allah says:

“How many a township have We destroyed
while it was sinful, so that it lies (to this day)
in ruins, and (how many) a deserted well and
lofty tower! Have they not traveled in the land,
so that they may have hearts wherewith to feel,
and ears wherewith to hear? For indeed it is
not the eyes that grow blind, but it is the hearts,
which are within the bosoms, that grow blind.”
(al-Quran 22:45-46)


So, we are getting blind and cannot see things coming. Maybe, we don’t want to see it as the mere thought of it is very disturbing for us. We just want comfortable lives, but we don’t want to make honest efforts for that. We go for shortcuts or we want others to do it for us. We ask the government to do things for us, but we forget that the governments also consist of people like us. Those who are in power, they care for their own interests. Nobody cares about the man in the street. Ironically the man in the street is also thinking how to get rich easily; or how to get closer to the powerful to benefit from it. It is a vicious cycle.

“… And seek not corruption in the earth!
Lo, Allah loves not corruptors.”
(al-Quran 28:77)

The funny thing in most of the Muslim countries is that everybody who works for the government would like to play the “boss” but nobody takes any responsibility. We want power but no responsibility?

As Muslims or believers in the Day of Judgment, there should not be any doubt in our minds about the accountability process. It has been narrated on the authority of Ibn Umar that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) said:

"Beware! Every one of you is a shepherd and every one
is answerable with regard to his flock. The Caliph (ruler)
is a shepherd over the people and shall be questioned about
his subjects (as to how he conducted their affairs). A man is
a guardian over the members of his family and shall be
questioned about them (as to how he looked after their
physical and moral well-being). A woman is a guardian
over the household of her husband and his children and
shall be questioned about them (as to how she managed
the household and brought up the children). A slave is a
guardian over the property of his master and shall be
questioned about it (as to how he safeguarded his trust).
Beware! Every one of you is a guardian and every one
of you shall be questioned with regard to his trust.”


Those who are in-charge of others, will be questioned on the Judgment Day. There is no escape from it. In a Muslim society, everybody is responsible. These days, people complain about corruption and mishandling of affairs, but who is responsible for that? What happened to the accountability set-up? Alas, there is no such thing! People who are responsible for maintaining peace and justice, are corrupt and they favor their friends and families. We don’t do anything to eradicate evil. On the contrary, we go out of our way to protect those law-breakers because they are our friends and family. But we love to  complain and criticize. Muslims do nothing, as usual, and wait for Allah to intervene, do the justice and punish the culprits for them. Amazing!

As per Hadith, narrated Maaqil: “Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) said: Any man whom Allah has given the authority of ruling some people and he does not look after them in an honest manner, will never feel even the smell of Paradise.”

According to Abd al-Rahman bin Samura, the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) said to him:
“Abd ar-Rahman, do not ask for a position of authority, for if you are granted this position as a result of your asking for it, you will be left alone (without God’s help to discharge the responsibilities attendant thereon); and if you are granted it without making any request for it, you will be helped (by God in the discharge of your duties).”

In another Hadith, Abu Burda narrated:
“The Prophet (s.a.w.) sent my father (Abu Musa) and Mu'adh bin Jabal to Yemen (as rulers/governors) and said (to them): ‘Make things easy for the people and do not put hurdles in their way, and give them glad tiding, and don’t let them have aversion (i.e. to make people hate good deeds); and you both should work in cooperation and mutual understanding.’ Abu Musa said to Allah's Apostle: ‘In our country a special alcoholic drink, called ‘Al-Bit', is prepared. The Prophet (s.a.w.) said: "Every intoxicant is prohibited.”

People go to other countries or towns to visit the historical places and ruins. But what do they do there? They take pictures, make selfies and videos to show around. They don’t pay attention to the history of those ruins and why did they become ruins? There are lessons in every such place. Those ruins talk but only to those who have ears! Don’t get carried away by power! The absolute and ultimate power is with Almighty God.

“And how many a generation we destroyed
before them, who were mightier than these in
prowess so that they overran the lands! Had
they any place of refuge (when the judgment
came)? Lo! Therein verily is a reminder for
him who has a heart, or gives ear with
full intelligence.”
(al-Quran 50:36-37)

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Friday 15 June 2018

SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST: The Donkey Business - A Short Story.


The Donkey Business: A Short Story

Survival Of The Fittest.
If You Don’t Fight Evil,
It’ll Destroy You!

 (M. Javed Naseem)


وَٱقْصِدْ فِى مَشْيِكَ وَٱغْضُضْ مِن صَوْتِكَ
إِنَّ أَنكَرَ ٱلأَصْوَاتِ لَصَوْتُ ٱلْحَمِيرِ
"And be moderate in your pace, and lower
your voice; for the harshest of sounds
without doubt is the braying of the ass."
(al-Quran 31:19)

Child: Dad! Tell me a story from the Animal Kingdom.
Father: OK son. This is the story of some asses (donkeys) who kicked asses. Once upon a time, there lived in a jungle, some American Asses, some European Asses and some Middle Eastern Asses. After fighting many wars over green pastures and territorial control, the American Asses and the European Asses realized they were a bunch of losers and needed to change their tactics. Their think-tanks suggested that they join hands for strength and power.



They adopted the new strategy and decided to get united. The union increased their strength and the number. They started enjoying power and control over smaller and weaker donkeys. So, they started pretending that they were horses. The fake horses were having good time, taking whatever they wanted from others, and kicking the ‘behinds’ of the Middle Eastern asses, one by one. They asked them to surrender and accept their hegemony to have peace or else. With the new strategy of union, the roles also switched. Now the Middle Eastern donkeys were acting like a bunch of losers, with no cooperation, no coordination, and no direction. 


وَدَّت طَّآئِفَةٌ مِّنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْكِتَابِ لَوْ يُضِلُّونَكُمْ
وَمَا يُضِلُّونَ إِلاَّ أَنْفُسَهُمْ وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ
“It is the wish of a section of the People
of the Book to lead you astray. But
they shall lead astray (not you) but
themselves, and they do not perceive!”
(al-Quran 3:69)

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ لِيَصُدُّواْ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ
فَسَيُنفِقُونَهَا ثُمَّ تَكُونُ عَلَيْهِمْ حَسْرَةً ثُمَّ يُغْلَبُونَ
وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوۤاْ إِلَىٰ جَهَنَّمَ يُحْشَرُونَ
“The Unbelievers spend their wealth to
hinder (man) from the path of Allah, and so
will they continue to spend; but in the end
they will have (only) regrets and sighs;
at length they will be overcome. And the
Unbelievers will be gathered together to Hell.”
(al-Quran 8:36)


Child: That’s aggression, Dad! And the Middle Eastern Asses, they did nothing in response?
Father: No, they couldn’t do anything because the ruling elite had no legitimacy. Therefore, the locals didn’t support them. They ruled by force and terror. They were afraid of the powerful but scared at the same time to lose their own kingdoms. So, they prayed and waited for the King Lion’s help. Actually, they are still waiting on that. They sent many prayers and lots of messages begging for help. In return, they received a message from the King Lion saying:
“King loves to help those who help themselves. Get up, put your act together and fight back! I’ll be with you.”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُواْ مَا بِأَنْفُسِهِمْ
Lo! Allah changes not the condition
of a folk until they (first) change
that which is in their hearts.”
(al-Quran 13:11)

وَقَاتِلُوهُمْ حَتَّىٰ لاَ تَكُونَ فِتْنَةٌ وَيَكُونَ الدِّينُ
كُلُّهُ لِلَّهِ فَإِنِ انْتَهَوْاْ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ
“And fight them on until there is no more
tumult or oppression, and there prevail
justice and faith in Allah altogether
and everywhere; but if they cease,
verily Allah does see all that they do.”
(al-Quran 8:39)

Child: I am sure the asses did what the King Lion told them to do.
Father: Not really. They had no Faith and felt weak. They feared the strong and the powerful. So, they preferred to compromise. They made friends with the strong enemy by offering them gifts and bribes; and hired their donkeys for security and protection of their pastures. They became the ‘royal donkeys’.


As a result, the enemy asses did not attack them with brutal force but with ‘lifestyle’ and ‘cultural’ onslaught to change them. In this process, they took control of all the ‘green’ pastures. Eventually, the Middle Eastern asses also started behaving like their European counterparts. They felt they were one of them. But in fact, they were not accepted. They were like the slaves living luxury lives at the mercy of the powerful.

يٰأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُوۤاْ إِن تُطِيعُواْ فَرِيقاً مِّنَ ٱلَّذِينَ
أُوتُواْ ٱلْكِتَابَ يَرُدُّوكُم بَعْدَ إِيمَانِكُمْ كَافِرِينَ
“O you who believe! If you listen to a
faction among the People of the Book,
they would (indeed) render you apostates
after you have believed!”
(al-Quran 3:100)

قُلْ يٰأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَابِ لِمَ تَصُدُّونَ عَنْ سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ مَنْ آمَنَ تَبْغُونَهَا
عِوَجاً وَأَنْتُمْ شُهَدَآءُ وَمَا ٱللَّهُ بِغَافِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ
“Say: O you People of the Book! Why
obstruct you those who believe, from the
path of Allah, seeking to make it crooked,
while you were yourselves witnesses (to
Allah’s Covenant)? But Allah is not
unmindful of all that you do."
(al-Quran 3:99)

Child: That’s dumb, Dad! I wonder when the Middle Eastern asses are going to learn their lesson and get united to restore their lost honor!
Father: Son! I don’t think it’s going to happen in my lifetime, but it might happen in your lifetime. Keep your hopes alive!

يٰأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُوۤاْ إِذَا لَقِيتُمْ فِئَةً فَٱثْبُتُواْ
وَٱذْكُرُواْ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيراً لَّعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
O you who believe! When you meet a force,
be firm and call Allah in remembrance much
(and often); that you may prosper”
(al-Quran 8:45)

وَٱعْتَصِمُواْ بِحَبْلِ ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعاً وَلاَ تَفَرَّقُواْ
“And hold fast, all together, by the rope
which Allah (stretches out for you), and
be not divided among yourselves.”
(al-Quran 3:103)


Son: So, Dad! How was the end of the story?
Father: The end is near. It’s approaching fast. But the story continues.
Son: Is there any moral lesson in this story, Dad?
Father: Moral? Oh, yes! Two lessons: “What you sow, so shall you reap”; and “If you can’t defend yourself, you have no right to exist!”
Son: Dad! I think there is another lesson too: “Obey the King if you seek King’s help
or live like miserable slaves!
يٰأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ ٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ
وَلاَ تَمُوتُنَّ إِلاَّ وَأَنْتُمْ مُّسْلِمُونَ
“O you who believe! Fear Allah as
He should be feared, and die not
except in a state of Islam.”
(al-Quran 3:102)


Moral: People who like to sit on their asses and have good time only, can’t achieve anything worthwhile. They risk their own existence.

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Friday 8 June 2018

HUMAN LIVER: Some Tips & Foods For A Healthy Liver.


Human Liver
You Are Healthy If
Your Liver Is Healthy!

It Performs 500 Functions
Including Blood-Filtering
And Detoxification

Some Tips And Foods
For A Healthy Liver

(M. Javed Naseem)


Human liver is a reddish-brown wedge-shaped organ with two large sections, called the right and the left lobes. The gallbladder sits under the liver, along with parts of the pancreas and intestines. The liver and these organs work together to digest, absorb, and process food. A human liver normally weighs 1.44 kg to 1.66 kg (between 3.2 lbs and 3.7 lbs), and has a width of about 15 cm. It is both the heaviest internal organ and the largest gland in the human body.

The liver's main job is to filter the blood coming from the digestive tract, before passing it to the rest of the body. The liver also detoxifies chemicals and metabolizes drugs. As it does so, the liver secretes bile that ends up back in the intestines. The liver also makes proteins important for blood clotting and other functions. The various functions of the liver are carried out by the liver cells or hepatocytes. The liver is thought to be responsible for up to 500 separate functions, usually in combination with other systems and organs.

The liver is connected to two large blood vessels:  Hepatic artery, and the portal vein. The hepatic artery carries oxygen-rich blood from the aorta, whereas the portal vein carries blood rich in digested nutrients from the entire gastrointestinal tract; and also from the spleen and pancreas.

It's an organ that can be damaged easily if you don't take good care of it. And once you damage it or trash it, it's gone. Currently, there is no artificial organ or device capable of reproducing all the functions of the liver. Some functions can be carried out by liver dialysis which is still an experimental treatment for liver failure. Artificial livers are yet to be developed to promote long-term replacement in the absence of the liver. As of 2017, liver transplant is the only option for complete liver failure.



Keeping Liver Healthy
Dr. Lee Ser Yee, S​enior Consultant at the Singapore General Hospital, shares some ways to keep your liver healthy.

Limit your alcohol intake and drink in moderation
Our liver can only process or break down a small amount of alcohol every hour. Beyond this, it can damage the liver cells and lead to inflammation and scarring (cirrhosis).
For this reason, men and women should limit their alcohol intake.

Regular exercise and have an active lifestyle
Regular exercise is key to a healthy liver. Exercise decreases stress on the liver, increases energy levels and helps to prevent obesity – a risk factor for liver disease. Aim for a total of 150 minutes of exercise, such as brisk walking or swimming per week.

Have a balanced and healthy diet: Less fatty foods and more fibre
High levels of fat in the blood (hyperlipidaemia) and high levels of cholesterol (hypercholesterolaemia) are common causes of fatty liver disease.
Reduce the amount of saturated fats, transfats and hydrogenated fats in your diet.
Saturated fats are found in deep fried foods, red meats and dairy products. Trans and hydrogenated fats are found in processed foods. The liver stores excess dietary fat and fat buildup can eventually bring on fatty liver disease.
Eat more high-fibre foods such as fruits and vegetables and whole grains. For proteins, choose more fish, white meat, beans and nuts and cut down on red meat.


Watch your body weight
Obesity, particularly, abdominal or central obesity, is a major risk factor for developing fatty liver disease. Together with a balanced diet and regular exercise, a healthy weight can be achieved and maintained.
Aim for the ideal body mass index (BMI) target. The healthy cut-off values recommended for Singaporeans are between 18.5 and 22.9.

Get vaccinated
Get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B, both viral liver infections. Hepatitis A is contracted from contaminated food and water- avoid raw or contaminated seafood or shellfish.
Hepatitis B can be contracted through sexual contact, contaminated blood and needles. If you choose not to get vaccinated against hepatitis B, practice safer sex.

Be careful with traditional medicine and remedies
Some of these over-the-counter traditional medicines or remedies contain heavy metals or unknown toxins. They can result in liver toxicity or they can stress and affect the regular functioning of your liver.
Over-supplementation of traditional medicine may cause liver inflammation and can lead to irreversible liver damage or even failure. Please consult your liver specialist prior to consumption if in doubt.

Be careful of weight loss pills or fad diets
Over-the-counter weight loss pills which are available without a prescription may contain toxins and ingredients which can be harmful to the liver such as:
ephedra (ma huang in Chinese)
kombucha
pennyroyal
skullcap
cascara
chaparral
comfrey and
kava.

Fad diets that make your weight swing up and down aggressively put excessive stress on your liver. Be careful of any diet that promises large amounts of weight loss in an unrealistically short period. These diets are usually lacking in essential nutrients and are not beneficial but harmful to your liver.

Take care in consuming liver cleansing and detox diets.
Contrary to popular belief, no particular diet is proven to be liver cleansing. Please ask your doctor or dietitian to help you create a healthy diet.

Take care and protect yourself against Hepatitis B or C
Hepatitis C has no vaccine available currently. Hepatitis C can be transmitted sexually or if there is a chance of blood-to-blood contact.

Practice safe sex and avoid unnecessary sharing of toothbrushes, razors, needles and other personal care items – these can also transmit hepatitis B or C.
If you are a Hepatitis B or C carrier, consult your doctor for a screening program to detect problems early. If your parents are carrier and/or you are not sure, get a Hepatitis screen.

Take care if you have Diabetes, Hypertension and/or High cholesterol:
Diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol form a metabolic syndrome with obesity, posing major risks for fatty liver disease.
Keeping your diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol under good control with diet, exercise and/or medications can help limit and prevent liver damage. Please keep regular follow-ups with your family doctor.

Some anti-cholesterol medicines can occasionally have a side effect that causes liver problems. Some medicines can hurt your liver if you drink alcohol when you take them, or if you take many drugs in combination. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your medications if in doubt.

Cut down smoking or stop smoking
There are some studies that link cigarette smoking with the development of liver cancer. Smoking can also enhance the toxic effects that some medications (such as Paracetamol) have on the liver.

From: WebMD
Human Anatomy
By Matthew Hoffman, MD
 
Liver Conditions

Hepatitis: Inflammation of the liver, usually caused by viruses like hepatitis A, B, and C. Hepatitis can have non-infectious causes too, including heavy drinking, drugs, allergic reactions, or obesity.

Cirrhosis: Long-term damage to the liver from any cause can lead to permanent scarring, called cirrhosis. The liver then becomes unable to function well.

Liver Cancer: The most common type of liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, almost always occurs after cirrhosis is present.

Liver Failure: Liver failure has many causes including infection, genetic diseases, and excessive alcohol.

Ascites: As cirrhosis results, the liver leaks fluid (ascites) into the belly, which becomes distended and heavy.

Gallstones: If a gallstone becomes stuck in the bile duct draining the liver, hepatitis and bile duct infection (cholangitis) can result.

Hemochromatosis: Hemochromatosis allows iron to deposit in the liver, damaging it. The iron also deposits throughout the body, causing multiple other health problems.

Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: A rare disease with unknown causes, primary sclerosing cholangitis causes inflammation and scarring in the bile ducts in the liver.

Primary Biliary Cirrhosis: In this rare disorder, an unclear process slowly destroys the bile ducts in the liver. Permanent liver scarring (cirrhosis) eventually develops.

14 Foods That Cleanse the Liver
By Dr. Edward F. Group 
(Guest writer for Wake Up World)

Modern society is a sad state that produces many over-processed livers. When we overeat or eat processed or fried foods, and, anytime we are exposed to environmental pollutants or stress, the liver becomes overworked and overloaded. When the liver is taxed, it can’t process toxins and fat in an efficient way.
There are many foods that can help cleanse the liver naturally by stimulating its natural ability to clean toxic waste from the body.

In the past, I have discussed my favorite cleansing foods. This list is more specific and focuses mainly on foods that can help cleanse your liver. Eating the following foods is the best way to keep your liver healthy and functioning the way you need it to. I would encourage you to incorporate these liver cleanse foods into your weekly diet.

1. Garlic
Just a small amount of this pungent white bulb has the ability to activate liver enzymes that help your body flush out toxins. Garlic also holds high amounts of allicin and selenium, two natural compounds that aid in liver cleansing.


2. Grapefruit
High in both vitamin C and antioxidants, grapefruit increases the natural cleansing processes of the liver. A small glass of freshly-squeezed grapefruit juice will help boost production of the liver detoxification enzymes that help flush out carcinogens and other toxins.

3. Beets and Carrots
Both are extremely high in plant-flavonoids and beta-carotene; eating beets and carrots can help stimulate and improve overall liver function.

4. Green Tea
This liver-loving beverage is full of plant antioxidants known as catechins, a compound known to assist liver function. Green tea is not only delicious, it’s also a great way to improve your overall diet. Learn more about the benefits of green tea.

5. Leafy Green Vegetables
One of our most powerful allies in cleansing the liver, leafy greens can be eaten raw, cooked, or juiced. Extremely high in plant chlorophylls, greens suck up environmental toxins from the blood stream. With their distinct ability to neutralize heavy metals, chemicals and pesticides, these cleansing foods offer a powerful protective mechanism for the liver.
Try incorporating leafy greens such as bitter gourd, arugula, dandelion greens, spinach, mustard greens, and chicory into your diet. This will help increase the creation and flow of bile, the substance that removes waste from the organs and blood.

6. Avocados
This nutrient-dense super-food helps the body produce glutathione, a compound that is necessary for the liver to cleanse harmful toxins.

7. Apples
High in pectin, apples hold the chemical constituents necessary for the body to cleanse and release toxins from the digestive tract. This, in turn, makes it easier for the liver to handle the toxic load during the cleansing process.

8. Olive Oil
Cold-pressed organic oils such as olive, hemp and flax-seed are great for the liver, when used in moderation. They help the body by providing a lipid base that can suck up harmful toxins in the body. In this way, it takes some of the burden off the liver in terms of the toxic overload many of us suffer from.

9. Alternative Grains
It’s not only that you need alternative grains like quinoa, millet, and buckwheat in your diet, it’s that if you’ve got wheat, flour, or other whole grains in your diet, it’s time to make changes. Your liver is your body’s filter for toxins, and grains that contain gluten are full of them. A study last year found that persons who experienced gluten sensitivities also had abnormal liver enzyme test results, and that’s just one of many.

10. Cruciferous Vegetables
Eating broccoli and cauliflower will increase the amount of glucosinolate in your system, adding to enzyme production in the liver. These natural enzymes help flush out carcinogens, and other toxins, out of our body which may significantly lower risks associated with cancer.

Watermelon (fruit and juice) 
  • Watermelon is one of the best fruits for cleansing the kidneys and stimulating proper liver function, thanks to its diuretic properties and ability to detox the body.
  • The juice from watermelon is the healthiest way to consume it because it’s more quickly absorbed into the tissues and bloodstream, which further stimulates good kidney function.
  • Always choose fresh watermelon. If your fruit is overripe, it can cause more problems than benefits.


11. Lemons & Limes
These citrus fruits contain very high amounts of vitamin C, which aids the body in synthesizing toxic materials into substances that can be absorbed by water. Drinking freshly-squeezed lemon or lime juice in the morning helps stimulate the liver.

12. Walnuts
Holding high amounts of the amino acid arginine, walnuts aid the liver in detoxifying ammonia. Walnuts are also high in glutathione and omega-3 fatty acids, which support normal liver cleansing actions. Make sure you chew the nuts well (until they are liquefied) before swallowing.

13. Cabbage
Much like broccoli and cauliflower, eating cabbage helps stimulate the activation of two crucial liver detoxifying enzymes that help flush out toxins. Try eating more kimchi, coleslaw, cabbage soup and sauerkraut.

14. Turmeric
The liver’s favorite spice. Try adding some of this detoxifying goodness into your next lentil stew or veggie dish for an instant liver pick-me-up. Turmeric helps boost liver detox, by assisting enzymes that actively flush out dietary carcinogens.
Other liver cleanse foods not listed above include artichoke, asparagus, kale, and brussel sprouts.


About the author:
Dr. Edward F. Group founded Global Healing Center in 1998 and is currently the CEO. Heading up the research and development team, Dr. Group assumes a hands-on approach in producing new and advanced degenerative disease products and information.
His Global Healing Center has earned recognition as one of the largest alternative, natural and organic health resources on the internet.


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