Hepatitis C: An Even Graver Health Threat to our Public Health

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http://www.hsibaltimore.com/ealerts/ea200603/ea20060301.html

 

Hepatitis C: An Even Graver Threat to Our Public Health

 

Liv for the Moment

 

Former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop has called hepatitis C an even

graver threat to our public health than HIV and AIDS. And the numbers

are indeed grave: More than 170 million people worldwide are currently

infected with this blood-borne disease. And in about 85 percent of those

cases the infection is chronic, which can prompt cirrhosis, a

debilitating liver disease.

 

In the e-alert " Insider Out " (2/27/06), I told you how vitamin C and an

immune system booster called Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC)

might be useful in controlling hepatitis C. But if hepatitis has already

led to cirrhosis, a new study reveals that an herbal formula may be

helpful.

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Tried and true

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Could this be a significant breakthrough in cirrhosis therapy?

More than 50 years ago, an herbal formula called Liv-52, which is

derived from traditional avuryedic treatments, was first marketed as a

liver support product. Over the decades, many studies have demonstrated

the effectiveness of Liv-52. But this new research (from the Institute

of Medicinal Plants (IMP) in Tehran, Iran) may be " the best-designed

clinical trial of Liv-52 yet published " according to Healthnotes

Newswire.

 

Researchers randomly assigned Liv-52 or placebo to 36 patients with

cirrhosis of the liver. During the six-month trial period the IMP team

monitored liver function with several methods, including the measurement

of various enzymes that mark liver damage, and analysis of ascites

(excess fluid in the space between the two membranes that line the

abdominal cavity).

 

Results showed no significant changes in the placebo group. In the

Liv-52 group, however, cirrhosis markers were lowered considerably. No

adverse side effects were reported.

 

Writing in the journal Phytomedicine, the researchers stated: " This

protective effect of Liv-52 can be attributed to the diuretic,

anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and immunomodulating properties of

the component herbs. " Some of the herbs in Liv-52 are believed to boost

levels of glutathione, an antioxidant that provides excellent liver

support.

 

Liv-52 can be found at health stores and through a number of sites on

the Internet, but those who have hepatitis C, cirrhosis or other serious

liver problems should talk with their doctors before using Liv-52.

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A number of Ks

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Any patient with cirrhosis might also consider increasing their intake

of vitamin K.

 

In the e-Alert " Special K " (3/1/05), I told you about a Japanese study

in which 40 women with cirrhosis were given 45 mg of vitamin K2 or a

placebo daily for two years. Of the women in the K2 group, only two

developed liver cancer, while nine of the women in the placebo group

developed cancer. Because of the length of the study, the researchers

were confident that K2 supplements helped reduce the risk of liver

cancer.

 

Also in that e-Alert, HSI Panelist Allan Spreen, M.D., explained the

difference between the different types of vitamin K: " The plant-based

source of vitamin K (K1, or phylloquinone) seems to have no toxic

effects in most any reasonable dose. But the synthetic form (K3, or

menadione) has caused some liver toxicity and, rarely, a form of anemia

when taken in high doses. There's also K2 (or menaquinones), but K1 and

K2 are fine. As usual, it seems best to avoid synthetic forms, if

possible. If the individual is on coumadin (blood thinner), he needs to

talk with his doctor, as vitamin K can interfere with its effect. "

Good dietary sources of vitamin K1 include dark, leafy green vegetables

(such as spinach, kale and carrot tops), cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels

sprouts, endive, lettuce olive oil and avocados.

Vitamin K1 is converted into K2 in the intestine, but we also get some

amount of K2 in meat, liver and egg yolk, and fermented products such as

yogurt and cheese.

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To Your Good Health,

Jenny Thompson

 

Tap into the minds of other health-conscious readers like yourself at

the new HSI health forum: http://www.healthiertalk.com

 

Sources:

" The Efficacy of Liv-52 on Liver Cirrhotic Patients: A Randomized,

Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled First Approach " Phytomedicine, Vol. 12,

No. 9, September 2005, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

" Herbal Combo Protects the Liver " Jeremy Appleton, N.D., C.N.S.,

Healthnotes Newswire, 12/22/05, pccnaturalmarkets.com

" Role of Vitamin K2 in the Development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in

Women with Viral Cirrhosis of the Liver " Journal of the American Medical

Association, Vol. 292, No. 3, 7/21/04, jama.ama-assn.org