The Liver
The main role the liver plays in weight balancing is in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. The liver is a storehouse for nutrients. On an emotional level, it is also known to store anger. The liver detoxifies bodily poisons. In doing so, it helps keep us sweet and healthy. But it can also become a repository for the poisonous aspects of our being -- for the bitter and resentful thoughts and feelings we may have but are not expressing or resolving. Hate, frustration, rage, self-dislike, hurt, greed and/or a need for power all affect the liver.

The Pancreas
The main role of the pancreas in relation to weight balancing is in the production of hormones (insulin and glucagon) that drive blood sugar up or down. This gland has to do with the sweetness in life. The emotions associated with the pancreas include the feeling that life has passed one by; longing for what might have been; deep sorrow; or wondering "when is it going to be my turn?" Lack of sweetness produces a sour disposition and leaves us with a feeling of emptiness or inner depletion, which can lead to depression or a sense of loss. In looking at pancreatic emotional imbalances, we might also consider the opposite -- receiving smothering or overwhelming love.

The Role of Carbohydrates

The liver stores carbohydrates in the form of glycogen and converts it to glucose to maintain blood sugar constancy. The liver's capacity to store carbohydrates as glycogen is very limited, however, and can be easily depleted within ten to twelve hours. Therefore, the liver's glycogen reserves must be maintained on a continual basis. Now, what happens when we eat too many carbohydrates?

Carbohydrates are either stored in the liver or in the muscles of the body. Again, that storage capacity is quite limited. Once the glycogen levels are filled in both the liver and muscles, excess carbohydrates have just one fate: to be converted into fat and stored in the fatty tissue. In a nutshell, even though carbohydrates themselves are fat-free, excess carbohydrates end up as excess fat.

And that's not the worst of it. Any meal or snack high in carbohydrates will generate a rapid rise in blood sugar. To adjust for this rapid rise, the pancreas secretes the hormone insulin to lower the levels of blood sugar.

The problem is that insulin is essentially a storage hormone, evolved to put aside excess carbohydrate calories in the form of fat in case of future famine. The insulin that is stimulated by excess carbohydrates aggressively promotes the accumulation of body fat. In other words, when we eat too much carbohydrates, we are essentially sending a hormonal message to the body to store fat.

The Double Whammy

Not only do increased insulin levels tell the body to store carbohydrates as fat, they also tell it not to release any stored fat. This makes it impossible for you to use your own stored body fat for energy. Thus, the excess carbohydrates in your diet not only make you fat, they make sure you stay fat. "It's a double whammy, and it can be lethal" writes Barry Sears in his book Enter the Zone.

Since insulin drives down blood sugar and glucagon restores blood-sugar levels by releasing stored carbohydrates, effective communication and ongoing balance of these two hormones is critical for survival. Remember that the release of insulin is stimulated by carbohydrates, especially by high-glycemic carbohydrates such as breads, rice and pastas. On the other hand, glucagon (which, like insulin, is secreted by the pancreas) is stimulated by dietary protein in proper combination with carbohydrates and fats.

The critical hormonal balance of insulin and glucagon depends on two things. One is the size of the meal you eat, which will stimulate excess insulin. The other is the ratio of protein to carbohydrates and fats in each meal.

Achieving Balance
What happens if you punch in the wrong hormonal code by eating the typical high-carbohydrate, low-protein meal? Blood-sugar levels drop and the brain begins to tune out. Within three to four hours after a high-carbohydrate meal, the brain starts getting desperate for energy (even though you probably have the equivalent of two or three Snickers bars stored in your liver, desperate to get out). But this massive amount of stored carbohydrate can't be released into the bloodstream because the high-carbohydrate meal you just ate drove insulin levels up and the glucagon levels down.

Since glucagon levels remain low, you can't replenish blood sugar from your own internal stored carbohydrates. In desperation, your brain tells you that bag of corn chips look very inviting. While eating the corn chips does supply an immediate source of carbohydrates for the brain, it simply restarts the vicious circle of raised insulin and diminished glucagon. In other words, you're stuck in what Sears refers to as "carbohydrate hell."

Carbohydrate Hell
Carbohydrate hell is the source of all your cravings -- including the infamous sweet tooth and the constant cycle of recurring hunger. These cravings are hormonally driven by that high-carbohydrate meal.

If carbohydrate cravings were the only result of punching up the wrong hormonal code, that would be bad enough. Your glycogen depots in the liver and muscles are stuffed full, but you're still eating carbohydrates. That excess carbohydrate ends up being converted into fat. The body can always find a storage site for fat. So, even though you may have eaten only fat-free carbohydrates, you might as well have been attaching the results to your derrière.

Some people can eat high carbohydrate diets and never get fat. Why? Genetics and higher metabolism may play a role, but so do proper prevention and diet. Overall, the proper functioning of the five principle glands and organs that deal with metabolism are most important in weight balance and, indeed, health in general.

What Can We Do?
The liver uses a lot of vitamin C, B12, iron and potassium. The pancreas uses B vitamins, sodium and silicon. Because of their workload, the liver and pancreas often needs supplementation and cleansing. Cleansing programs are always called for when there are weight challenges!

In order to achieve a balanced weight, there are several things to keep in mind. First, it is essential to eat a balanced diet of fat, carbohydrates and proteins. The rule of thumb to aim for is a diet comprised of 40% carbohydrates, 30% protein and 30% fat. Though this may at first look out of proportion, consider the example of a typically balanced meal: 4 ounces chicken or tofu (protein), 1-1/4 cups each of broccoli and cauliflower, 3/4 cup snow peas (carbohydrate), 1 1/3 teaspoon oil (fat).

Other aids to achieving a balanced weight include drinking plenty of water; cleansing the toxins from the body; feeding your organs and glands the proper foods and supplements; getting plenty of rest and exercise; and, absolutely resolving any emotional components of excess weight. All of these aspects are essential for weight balancing.