Alpha Lipoic Acid

[cantlivenotknowing]

I know I've read posts about supplements on this forum and there does seem to be differing points of view. I have read all about Milk Thistle, but was wondering if anybody on here has taken either Alpha Lipoic Acid or N-Acetylcysteine.

I've read that they can both increase levels of Gluthiathone in the liver and as a result lead to a greater degree of oxidative stress protection. Thoughts?

Thanks

[DougCPS]

Lipoic acid, Vit C, Selenium, glutathione, acetylcysteine [NAC] are all anti-oxidants that are beneficial to liver hepatitis. Lipoic acid + Milk Thistle + Selenium is a combination promoted/advocated for ammanita-mushroom-poisoning hepatitis by a leading medical researcher specialized in this field.

[outofgas]

yes I take it with milk thistle and sam-e (fatty liver)

[Kalio1]

Forsee, this just goes to show how hard it is to read people's intent on the net. I thought Craxy was making a funny!
I guess it sounded mean to you.

My take on it is if supplements/herbs help people feel better with Hep C then they are a good thing, if they aren't harming you (like raising your enzymes or anything.) Maybe they work and maybe they don't "proof" wise, but the thing that matters is they make many FEEL better and function better and that is always a good thing I think.

I still think taking them on tx is a bit risky, they are "drugs" even if they are nature's direct variety and the interactions with the tx haven't been examined enough for me. I plan on using a supplement regimen when I am done, SVR or no because there seems to be enough evidence to satisfy me that some of them can be beneficial in the proper amounts and so many people say they do help them.

[Forseegood]

hi, agree with most of your post, guess I've just been really hammered for even mentioning supplements on here, a lot more then once....(I know more than a few members out there who can relate) but maybe this issue has been taken over by alcohol and smoking as the big controversial questions on this board, ha ha!

--Or more people are taking them to good effect so they aren't so mysterious as they once were...I know some people who have had bad experiences, all the more reason people should be consulting experts re these types of issues, and not just taking things because of over-the-counter advertising...I know more then a few members who have been getting on regimens "post-tx" too...

I guess you can relate to this, if you want to be funny about something, I'm all for it, or if you merely disagree and want to back up your arguments with some evidence, or not, whatever, that's great too, I'm all for a lively debate, and sometimes we just end up agreeing to disagree...but what I can never understand is when people get really mean-spirited or really snide with people they don't agree with...that I can never understand, though of course the post in question is nothing compared to what I'm talking about, and I like the fact the member explained things he/she might be feeling, etc so I can understand where they were coming from and that they weren't trying to be snide...I know I tease people sometimes and it doesn't come off so well, to say the least!

I just hammer my body with anti-oxidants, in food and supplementation, and I feel the difference with or without, all things remaining equal...and there are too many other members who say the same thing...we can't all be having mass hysteria and psyching ourselves out about it...with me, I get helped by Advil but not Tylenol, I know when things work on me and when they don't...

As far as what to take while youre treating, I have been studying a lot on that, and there are only a few members on here who did a lot of studying up and experimentation there...I agree there are many things you cannot take, but there still other things you can take...I try to keep that stuff to myself so no one will think I'm advocating this or that to people who don't know much about this sort of thing...hope youre feeling better these day, know you had a bad spell a while back...

[Forseegood]

gee, thought your posts were very helpful till now...

[Forseegood]

thanks for the new handle, shoulda thought that one up myself, but it might be thought a tad "immodest", even for me....ha ha! I can understand youre predicament, a friend told me that some people, while on those drugs, drive around "just waiting" for someone to cut them off...but for right now, I think I'd rather snuggle up to my doggie and watch a funny movie, guess I got a lotta time to devote to "kicking butts" later on...but seems as though, just this morning in the neighborhood, I see you have a few companions "in arms"

[amicraxy]

I don't even know the name of the drug I'm taking, its ribaviron or something, or who I am. And I have seen myself as less then soup while on these drugs choosing not to take more drugs for the side effects. But one thing that always makes me feel better is humor so suck it up {air}.   I didn't mean to sound ungrateful because all info from here is great.  But what was it my nurse called it, the interferon rage.  I guess we all have it.  So lets go kick some butt

[swahnzong]

Glutathione is known as the body's "master antioxidant." It also aids in immune function. Since Glutathione is mainly concentrated in the liver, persons with HCV might possibly find their natural Glutathione level compromised. N-Acetyl Cysteine is a precursor to Glutathione, and Alpha Lipoic Acid is an antioxidant that fights cell-damaging free radicals.

Please ask your doctor before adding these supplements to your regimen. Dosages may vary. Good luck!

Tailao--good to see your post. Hope you're doing well.

[Forseegood]

for some reason, my post was indicated, but didn't post, if youre wondering....(and perhaps youre not, ha ha!) I just said that I thought youre posts were very helpful until now...I realize that if youre taking such strong, unpleasant drugs to eradicate a virus, and much is on the line...the thought of taking supplements might seem really silly or trite...but I know plenty of people who are non-responders, relapsers, or waiting to go on treatment, that do benefit from supplemental regimens, there are too many to completely write-off in my opinion...and no one is saying that they somehow "eradicate" the virus...but I know I feel much better on my regimen, and my own doctor says it could help me with "inflammation" issues due to this disease....much is still unknown about these regimens, so why be snide about it? No one on this thread was selling "magic cures"

[amicraxy]

I'v found that air, in just the right dose, can do wonders for my liver and even helps other essential body parts

[Forseegood]

I have been taking NAC for years, I don't take ala because it's recommended that hypogylcemics don't take it, but it's okay for everyone else...my hepotologist is completely okay with these two particular things...I think it's unfortunate that people, maybe particulary in rural areas, etc...don't always have doctors who keep up with these things...just my opinion...

[Pdilly]

Consult your doctor before you try anything.   You are paying them to help you get rid of the HEPC virus you might as well do what they say.  The way I look at it is if you don't do what they say, you might as well pay for another doctors opionion and treatment methods.

[orphanedhawk]

I take it. Can't remember the dosage at the moment. It's one of many prescribed by my herbalist. I take it three times daily with meals.

[tailao]

i use 200 mg per day along with other supplements such as vit c,selenium,vit e,vit c..It is a very good and effective antioxidant ...I will probably iincrease to 300mg soon..there is allot of info on the net..

[crsrph]

also used as a mucoltic either by inhalation or po  investigational use renal dysfunction

[dyce]

Correction on above post, you can find answers to your ? at hcvadvocate.org  type the terms in the search.

[dyce]

N-acetyle cystien, is used for a anti-dote for tylenole overdose.

hcv advocate.com