Blueberry leaves can help fight against hepatitis C, according to a new study.

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Blueberry leaves can help fight against hepatitis C,

according to a new study.

 

Hepatitis C is a contagious liver disease resulting from infection with the

hepatitis C virus (HCV) and spread mainly through direct contact with infected

blood. The immune system is able to clear the Hepatitis C Virus in about 15% of

those who contract HCV. However, once it is established in the body, chronic

hepatitis C infection may progress to fibrosis, cirrhosis and/or liver cancer

(hepatocellular carcinoma).

A recent chemical discovery in blueberry leaves may help kill the Hepatitis C

virus. The study, published August 7, 2009 in the American Society of

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology's Journal of Biochemistry (PMID: 19531480) by

researchers Hiroaki Kataoka and colleagues at the University of Miyazaki, may

open a new avenue for treating chronic hepatitis C infections. This is

significant because standard western medicine treatment for Hepatitis C is not

effective for everyone and can produce very severe, debilitating side effects.

 

According to scientist Hiroaki Kataoka and colleagues, a chemical found in

rabbit-eye blueberry, found in the southeastern regions of the US, strongly

suppressed replication of the hepatitis C virus. The blueberry leaf-derived

viral replication inhibitor was found to be proanthocyanidin.

 

Proanthocyanidins are actually very powerful antioxidants with anti-inflammatory

effects. Proanthocyanidins have multiple antioxidant functions inactivating MANY

precursors to free radicals. Proanthocyanidins can also neutralize several other

harmful cellular substances including iron which is important to those with

Hepatitis C who may have iron overload. Proanthocyandin can be toxic, but the

scientists found that the chemical found in blueberry leaves and other plants

stopped replication of the hepatitis C virus at 100 times less than levels that

would harm.

 

The proanthocyandin chemical found in blueberry leaves actually blocks the

replication of the hepatitis C virus, shutting it down. This finding could open

up a new and natural avenue for treating chronic HCV infections. Purifying the

chemical compound proanthocyandin, found in rabbit-eye blueberry leaves could

provide a safe and effective supplement to help fight hepatitis C. These

researchers plan to follow up with further studies.

 

In the meantime, lifestyle factors that can help halt the progression of

hepatitis C include avoiding alcohol, rest, a healthy diet, drinking plenty of

fluids, and avoidance of medications that are broken down by the liver for

excretion( such as acetaminophen and cholesterol lowering drugs.) Until the

blueberry leaf extracts of proanthocyanidins are on the market, you can include

cranberries, hazelnuts, red kidney beans, and sorghum into your diet as they are

all naturally high in proanthocyandin.

 

http://www.healthyhepper.com/hcvblueberry.htm