Safety Measured

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" HSI - Jenny Thompson " <hsiresearch

HSI e-Alert - Safety Measured

Thu, 29 Dec 2005 06:50:00 -0500

 

 

 

HSI e-Alert - Safety Measured

 

Health Sciences Institute e-Alert

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December 29, 2005

 

 

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Dear Reader,

 

Here's a New Year's Eve scenario that's all too easy to imagine.

 

A woman comes down with a bad cold. She begins taking daily doses of

an over-the-counter cold medication that contains acetaminophen. Her

congested sinuses are causing headaches, so for a few days she also

takes several tablets of extra-strength Tylenol (active ingredient:

acetaminophen). On New Year's Eve she drinks a little too much

alcohol. To head off a hangover she swallows three or four Tylenol

tablets before bed. She wakes up on New Year's Day with symptoms that

seem to indicate a severe flu. In the emergency room, doctors discover

that she's suffering from acute liver failure (ALF).

 

The problem? Her liver has been severely stressed from several days of

acetaminophen overdose combined with excessive alcohol intake. If

she's lucky she'll survive. But the chances that she'll need a liver

transplant are higher than most people might ever suspect according to

a new study that reveals this disturbing trend: Cases of ALF due to

unintentional acetaminophen overdose are on the rise.

 

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Acetaminophen nation

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Acetaminophen is the active ingredient in more than 200

over-the-counter painkillers, fever-reducers and cold medicines. A

2003 FDA review estimated that there are more than 14,000

unintentional overdoses of acetaminophen every year, with about 100 of

those cases resulting in death.

 

A study published in the December 2005 issue of the journal Hepatology

offers new insight into those statistics.

 

Anne M. Larson, M.D., of the University of Washington Medical Center,

led a team of researchers from 22 medical facilities that perform

liver transplants. The medical records and acetaminophen use of more

than 660 patients with ALF were followed over a six-year period

(1998-2003).

 

Analysis of the data produced these results:

 

* More than 40 percent of ALF cases were the result of

acetaminophen overdose

* Of these, nearly half were caused by unintentional overdose

* Almost 40 percent in the unintentional overdose group took two

or more medications simultaneously that contained acetaminophen

* About 45 percent of the acetaminophen overdose cases were the

result of suicide attempts

 

Perhaps the most troubling statistic is the steady upward trend of

liver damage due to acetaminophen intake. In 1998 less than 30 percent

of ALF cases were related to acetaminophen overdose. By 2003 that

percentage was more than 50 percent.

 

The suggested maximum safe intake of acetaminophen is four grams daily

(that's eight tablets of extra-strength Tylenol). In the University of

Washington study, the average acetaminophen overdose was 24 grams. But

you don't have to take a whole handful of tablets to cause problems.

Dr. Larson told the Associated Press that just doubling the maximum

daily dose is all that's necessary to prompt ALF, and even death.

 

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To the rescue

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For most of us, the liver can easily assimilate low amounts of

acetaminophen. But when an overdose occurs, the liver begins to

malfunction, and immediate treatment is called for. Studies have shown

that N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is an effective antidote for acetaminophen

poisoning and is especially effective within 8 hours of ingestion of

the overdose.

 

In the e-Alert " Storm of the Eye " (10/9/02), I told you about NAC, an

invaluable amino acid that stimulates production of glutathione, one

of the most potent antioxidant enzymes. This ability to infuse the

liver with antioxidants, coupled with excellent anti-inflammatory

properties, makes NAC an effective liver crisis treatment. Research

shows that NAC treatments may significantly decrease the chance of

mortality in patients suffering from acute liver damage.

 

Milk thistle also provides excellent liver support and is often used

to help protect the liver from alcohol damage and to treat liver

diseases. Turmeric root, like NAC, is reputed to have potent

antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that promote healthy liver

function. Both of these natural agents are included in Liver C/S Plus,

a liver-support formula created by John Burgstiner - a long-time

member of the HSI network. (For more information, see the e-Alert

" Always at Your Side " 10/6/03.)

 

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Tell one, tell all

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I hope you'll share this e-Alert with friends and family to help

spread the word:

 

* Acetaminophen can be deadly in large doses

* Read all medication labels thoroughly to avoid acetaminophen

double dosing

* Heavy alcohol intake creates greater sensitivity to acetaminophen

 

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....and another thing

 

A little copper goes a long way.

 

A sharp-eyed HSI member named Helgi spotted something that didn't see

quite right in the e-Alert " What Would Judy Say? " When I shared

details about a study that tested the use of fish oil and copper

supplements on lupus patients, Helgi noticed that two groups in the

study received three grams of copper daily.

 

Whoops. That's a little too much copper. In fact, it's a LOT too much.

 

Helgi writes: " I'm fairly sure that 3 grams of copper daily would

probably be toxic. Did you perhaps mean 3 mg? "

 

Absolutely. A quick double check of the study shows that researchers

tested three milligrams of copper daily; NOT three grams.

 

The lupus study found that three grams of fish oil taken daily

improved skin rashes and neurological problems, while copper was found

to have no significant beneficial effect. Nevertheless, a small amount

of supplemental copper each day may be beneficial.

 

In the e-Alert " Aim High " (5/7/03), HSI Panelist Allan Spreen, M.D.,

noted that zinc intake can create a copper deficiency, and vice versa.

And Jonathan V. Wright, M.D., agreed, stating that, " Zinc supplements

should usually be offset by a small amount of copper, 1-2 mg daily. "

Fortunately, many multivitamins already take care of the dual

zinc/copper need with a low dose of copper. High doses of vitamin C

may also impede copper absorption.

 

Research shows that age-related macular degeneration may be prevented

with daily supplements of copper, zinc, beta-carotene, vitamin C and

vitamin E. Copper also helps prevent anemia and osteoporosis.

 

To Your Good Health,

 

Jenny Thompson

 

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Sources:

 

" Acetaminophen-Induced Acute Liver Failure: Results of a United States

Multicenter, Prospective Study " Hepatology, Vol. 42, No. 6,

www3.interscience.wiley.com

" Accidental Acetaminophen Poisonings Rise " Lauran Neergaard,

Associated Press, 12/26/05, ap.org

 

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