Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Colloidal Silver

yes, i know, im grasping at straws...

anyone know anything about this, supposed to strengthen your immune system and fight the virus...

i take milk thistle every day, no idea if it is doing anything to help my liver or not, i know milk thistle does nothing for the virus but i figure my liver needs all the help it can get haaaa
30 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
I notice all of these  comments were made in 2006. Is there anything more current, or is this even still active?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks Cuteus

xx
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Iceboy; congratulations on following up with your own research! It is the best way to make informed decissions.

Beta carotene is a precursor to vitamin A, it is not assimilated and stored the same way as oil soluble vit a, or even water soluble synthetic A, Beta carotene is not harmful. It might give you an orange tint, but that is not fatal.
from the Harvard site:
"In contrast to preformed vitamin A, beta-carotene is not toxic even at high levels of intake. The body can form vitamin A from beta-carotene as needed, and there is no need to monitor intake levels, as there is with preformed vitamin A."
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamins.html
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hope you see this. Im posting late on this. Why is beta carotein bad for. the only thing I could find on it on Janis web site is;

BETA CAROTENE
Beta carotene levels are low in patients with liver cirrhosis, while a diet high in beta carotene might reduce liver damage. Cirrhosis of the liver often is associated with increased activity of harmful compounds called free radicals that might increase the risk of liver cancer. As an antioxidant, beta carotene might prevent the formation of potentially harmful free radicals
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
One problem I've seen with the smoking study Jim provided is that it's based entirely upon the WIN-R which only looked at G2 & G3 patients and only look at those undergoing the PEG-IFN-alpha-2b using the weight based dosing.

However, two issues I've seen is that PEG-IFN-alpha-2a and PEG-IFN-alpha-2b has been found to have a different pharmacokinetics (see PubMed abstract ID 15456079 at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?DB=pubmed).  The measured result is that PEG-IFN-2b does not remain consistent in the blood stream over a regimen period (i.e. 1 week), thus allowing less flexibility in when an injection is obtained and in some cases resulting in studies recommend a multi-injection per week to achieve a sustained level of IFN in the body.  Another is that the weight based dosing (see PubMed abstract 15865213) of PEG-IFN-alpha-2b does not appear to yield any reduction in interpatient variability and their likelyhood of attaining SVR than PEG-IFN-alpha-2a.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Rev- you don't mind debates? they might come again...
not from me, though, I am calm today.

I hope you are well, any graduations your way? or Proms?
I will face that next yr. I think I rather do tx.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Centrum Silver or a generic equivalent.

Basically, any daily multi-vitamin made for seniors (i.e. aonyone over 50) should be low or no iron.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
No lecturing or judgements here (meaning I don't want to engage in any debates today :) ) but just want to make sure you're aware that studies suggest cigarette smoking is linked with increased inflammation and fibrosis in patients with HCV, as well as lower SVR rates in at least genotypes 2 and 3. As a mixed genotype currently treating, this might be of interest. http://tinyurl.com/r9k3m

-- Jim

PS Couldn't find any Drake Yodel studies so I guess that's OK :)
Helpful - 0
86075 tn?1238115091
the reason I take individual supplements (and i really don't take many vitamins per se) is because then I can really see what I'm taking...it's really hard to find a multi without A and iron, and K, etc...but it can be done...maybe go to a high end health store...good luck to you...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I know what's wrong with me? Getting healthy? Well I must admit to eating a Drakes Yodel last night...it was the best dang snack food I've had in YEARS - even blew away the fudgicles!  ;)

and I still smoke...and drink loads of coffee...so don't ever let me seem like I'm LYING and pretending I've gone the way of our pal Rocker - he's too good at this health stuff for me!  :)

What's been up with you I haven't seen you around too much?  You just enjoying life and playing?  I hope so!
Helpful - 0
91778 tn?1252555170
P. s. One source vitamins is walmart brand
Helpful - 0
92903 tn?1309904711
"I don't even eat out of cast iron skillets any longer and no more blood red meat "

Wow! Talk about progress. Before you know it you'll be clearing the bones off the dinner rock when company comes and tying the mastadon up downwind.....

How are ya' New Yorkie?
Helpful - 0
91778 tn?1252555170
You know when I was told no iron in a vitamin, I looked and looked for one and couldn't find it without iron.  An old man in the store told me that men's vitamins don't have iron. Wow. It was that simple. I guess men don't need it. So I got Source-one complete MENS multivitamin. It has no iron.
I think sam e and milk thistle might be the only thing I would take. And only when not treating. I had a friend send me some of that silver. Before I started treatment. I took it for a month and seen no differance. Then I read some bad things about it concerning the liver so I stop and through it away. Take care
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
the cast iron is only an issue with people with Hemochromatosis.  Not everyone has to avoid iron. Hep c positive individuals should limit the iron intake, but cooking in iron pots does not always leach the mineral into the food.  I still use my pans, have used them before dx, and during tx, and has not caused any problems. You can research the issue yourselves and decide whether you need to change anything. I chose not to, others stop all iron. Not enough medical data that says people without the condition above and pos for HCV need to throw their iron pans away. So, I don't.
Helpful - 0
96938 tn?1189799858
I also did tx, and relapsed.  Since tx I have been using milk thistle (drops in water) and apple cider vinegar (mixed with water). Usually, it's about 3 times a week but I'm not as religious about it as I was.  Have no idea if either or both work but probably can't hurt. For no particular reason, I don't take both on the same day.  Otherwise, I try to stay with a healthy diet. My problem is a lack of appetite.  Oh yeah, I take Centrum Silver each day.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
ever since you posted that a while back about cast iron, I never cook in mine anymore either.
Whole foods has vitimins without iron.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It is possible to get a vitamin without iron you just have to look around and read them all.  It's harder to find one without additional beta carotene but you should NOT be taking any iron AT ALL.


There really is nothing that helps deal with the virus at all on the market. As Cuteus said if you look at the things you are reading they are REALLY mostly advertisements in one form or another and have not been approved by the FDA as cures or helps or anything like that at all.

Even traditional medicine is prescribed for money reasons. Have you ever heard of someone who has three weeks to live and they put them on chemo?  You have to wonder WHY if they are going to DIE would they do that?        $$$$$$$$$$$

The best advice I can offer you is eat right, exercise and live a healthy life.  Trying to find things to supplement to the point of spending any money is really just a waste.  Good health promotes a good liver the best it can.

(And believe me I DO take antioxidants and things...but I take them now for overall health and not just for my liver disease)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
NO NO iron!  

IT PROMOTES THE VIRUS TO REPLICATE AND THAT IS THE LAST THING WE WANT IN THIS WORLD!

The first thing my doctor told me was under NO condition to take any extra iron, not to eat food cooked in cast iron pans even!  It is THAT crucial because we are trying to STOP the virus from replicating...we don't want to feed it the specific thing that helps it GROW!

Ask your doctor ASAP - it amazes me how doctors just "forget" to mention things like this.  This is one of the reasons I was so GLAD to find this forum - little tiny things like this... ;) so important.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
already did tx but it didnt work...i was just wondering if anyone had tried this stuff, about the milk thistle i think that the claims on this one actually have been proven right??  that it does improve liver function?

im not tx'ing again until they come out with something new, i dont see the point when the odds of clearing are so insanely low, lucky i am only at stage 2 (i think?) so i guess i can wait but if i can find some kind of natural help in the meantime...

i eat pretty healthy, lots of garlic & olive oil haa, fresh fruits, veggies, etc, very little fat & processed foods, etc but i do take a multi-vitamin along with the milk thistle and the multi has iron in it, where do i find a multi without iron??
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Iron is processed by the liver.  As your liver is the one under attack, or trying to recover due to the protective shield the tx is supposed to be providing, you do not want to follow a diet, or use supplements, which increases it's work load.

As we get most of the iron or bodies need through regular diets, avoiding a supplement containing additional iron is very similar to following a low protein diet as far as our livers are concerned.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Oh...I have not been informed about "no iron" yet.  Can you tell me about this?  Maybe there are so many little things that the doctor just forgets to tell me...ha!?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Oh...I have not been informed about "no iron" yet.  Can you tell me about this?  Maybe there are so many little things that the doctor just forgets to tell me...ha!?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Oh...I have not been informed about "no iron" yet.  Can you tell me about this?  Maybe there are so many little things that the doctor just forgets to tell me...ha!?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
"anyone know anything about this, supposed to strengthen your immune system and fight the virus..."

of course it does, they are trying to sell you the Brooklyn Bridge. It is not on the market, though.

just look at who is posting those things, is it a medical institution, or a reputable organization? it is all testimonial. If I was to get paid enough, I might say Bush is the best president ever, in a testimonial.


NOT!

ps just in case, thymus gland stuff and boiling blood is also 'good' for killing the virus, or so THEY say.
Helpful - 0
2
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Hepatitis C Community

Top Hepatitis Answerers
317787 tn?1473358451
DC
683231 tn?1467323017
Auburn, WA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Answer a few simple questions about your Hep C treatment journey.

Those who qualify may receive up to $100 for their time.
Explore More In Our Hep C Learning Center
image description
Learn about this treatable virus.
image description
Getting tested for this viral infection.
image description
3 key steps to getting on treatment.
image description
4 steps to getting on therapy.
image description
What you need to know about Hep C drugs.
image description
How the drugs might affect you.
image description
These tips may up your chances of a cure.
Popular Resources
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.