Opinions on the Grapefruit Juice Theory

[ajw543]

Since I found out I have Acuite HCV I have done tons of reading.  One thing I have read about is Grapefruit Juice helping in clearing HCV.  Since reading this I have started drinking Grapefruit Juice daily.  The way I see it is it is not going to hurt me either way to drink it.  But I was wondering how many here really believe that drinking Grapefruit Juice can help fight off HCV?  I am trying everything I can to help me try and have spontaneous clearance.  I don't really care for the taste but have been putting it down just incase.  So am I crazy here or what?

[LaPrieta0103]

Hi Leona can you please tells me if that treatment helps you because I'm planning to visit dr Ren.....my email is ***@**** thanks!!!

[Aaron57]

You responded to a 2 years old post where she linked to a page from 2008 ... as OH already said .... and yes her stats are off ..

[orphanedhawk]

Her statistics may be off but your timing is off as well.
Please not she last wrote on this old thread, 2 years ago.
I haven't seen her posting here in a long time.

[Jamie7821]

Your statistics are WAY OFF! educate yourself before giving misinformation please! I have genotype 3 and am in the acute fase of infection the clearance rate essentially cure is between 70 and 80 percent.  in genotype  1 it is around 30 to 40 percent, do the math when combined around 50 percent, I'm sorry you are not a fan of treatment, I didn't find it to be impossible and for some side effects are not as severe.  I'm able to work and go to school with a 3.8 GPA different people respond differently!

[nygirl7]

I too remember that grapefruit is not good for those on treatment I believed it hurt the efficacy of the drugs not increased them was the problem.  If anyone cares they can google.


Shoot I'd take ALA first with a dab of blue algae and treebark.

[snadge]

Grapefruit and Milk Thistle increases the potency of some medications... one of those is methadone - Iam on 150ml's per day which is a VERY high dose and I use both Phytosomed Milk Thistle called Siliphos (100mg Silybin - which is the REAL active ingredient) and that has a 8-10x better absorption rate than standard milk thistle products - I also take a capsule form of milk thistle, 2 at night = 280mg Silymarin (which is about 200mg Silybin without the super-absorption) - ON TOP OF THIS I drink Pure Grapefruit Juice and eat 1 Pink Grapefruit per day...

I have no increase in toxicity of my Methadone...

that said we are all different but given that Iam on very strong amounts of Silybin and Naringen you would think it WOULD affect my medication if its supposed to...

I always advise SOC approach first...

[Rockerforlife]

Grapefruit juice contains compounds that interfere with the absorption and metabolism of a number of drugs, boosting their effects (and there is some concern that grapefruit itself might do the same). The compounds believed responsible for this effect are called furanocoumarins, which influence the action of an enzyme that works primarily in the liver and helps the body metabolize and eliminate drugs. In some cases, this means that more of a drug can enter the bloodstream and remain there longer. The drugs affected include:

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http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA400475/Does-Juice-Boost-Drug-Effects.html

[Rockerforlife]

The problem with taking grapefruit with certian drugs is,it actually increases the drugs potency of certain druds,ive read if taken with the PI drugs it boosts the effects,not sure how it reacts with RIBA and PEG,better fly this one your doc  if your are treating with PI`s and the SOC

[nygirl7]

I’m sorry to hear you’ve developed cirrhosis; what are you doing to manage it, other than using grapefruit juice? "

As well I hope you are doing something that will actually be of benefit to you medically - I'm afraid grapefruit juice is not a cure for anything that you are going through and while treatment can be extremely tough if you have a good doctor they can generally assist you with most of the harder side effects (anemia for example) that can help make it tolerable.

But at this time you have to do something to help your condition.  It won't improve on it's own.

[mikesimon]

She was taking regular interferon(not pegylated interferon) - probably 3 million units 3x per week.
She may well have been under-dosed with ribavirin.
Anyway, the numbers are significantly better in 2010 than they were back in 1996.
The disease was only discovered in 1989 and she must have been one of the pioneers in the interferon/ribavirin treatment.
Mike

[Bill1954]

Hi there,

Sorry to hear you experienced such a struggle with interferon. Some folks appear to be intolerant to it, and you might be one of them. You mention that “The treatment was the most horrible thing I’ve ever done.” Can you elaborate on your experience? Depending on the time frame of your involvement, the current interferon/ribavirin has experienced increased efficacy. Genotype 1 patients now statistically expect a 45-50% ‘cure’ rate; genotype 2 upwards of 90%.

I was a genotype 1 patient, did two IFN/ribavirin treatments totaling 152 weeks; I’m now clear of the virus, and have been since August, 2008. In fact, my team of hepatologists will no longer even assay for virus using viral load testing; they’re that certain the virus is now gone.

I’d be curious to know what trial you were involved in originally; what years were involved, and the interventions used.

The article you cited and linked above was written by a licensed acupuncturist, and therefore has little scientific value, I’m afraid. If you run across material that has been peer reviewed and published, we’ll be glad to take a peek at it.

I’m sorry to hear you’ve developed cirrhosis; what are you doing to manage it, other than using grapefruit juice?

Good luck,

Bill

[Ollamamama]

http://www.hepatitis-central.com/mt/archives/2008/02/what_you_need_t.html
Check out this web page ALL OF YOU.

It gives a lot more verifiable information than anyone is giving here.

I have had Hep C for 51 years now and yes it is advanced and yes I also have cirrhosis. But I have also taken the Interferon and let me tell you, I’d rather take my chances with the Grapefruit. The treatment was the most horrible thing I’ve ever done.

I took part in a study in 1996 and neither the doctors nor the drug company ever told me how very dangerous the treatment was. Make sure you research it yourself before agreeing to it. Doctors and drug companies often have their own agendas, as I believe my doctor did, and don’t always give you the WHOLE TRUTH.

While taking the treatment, my viral load spiked and I was dropped from the study. When the drug company failed to pay my medical bills as agreed, and I contacted them, they denied that I was ever in their study. Strange, since I STILL HAVE all the information they sent me. (Worried that I might DIE and they might be SUED?)

Want to hear something even more astounding? They even contacted me a couple months after denying that I was ever in their study to ask if I’d be interested in taking part in a second study!

You stated that Interferon works on 50% of those who take it. Well NOT if your of genome one. In fact it barely touches it. I know because that’s what I am. And if you do any serious research into the treatment that’s exactly what you will find.  In fact, you will also find that the cure for others is only 40% not 50%.

If you want to drink Grapefruit juice as a treatment and know if it is working, go to your doctor and ask for a viral count. Drink the juice for six months then go back and get another viral count. See if it made a difference. And if it did, keep drinking it and keep going back till there is no more count.

Have your doctor document it and if it works ask your doctor who you can send the information to. I’m sure he’d be happy to tell you and to be a part of such an important , if not scientific, study.

[kconn14]

I don't know about grapefruit juice but I ran across an article from Mass. Gen doing research on Naringenin which is derived from grapefruit and other citrus. It's only in the research stage so far but the results are pretty awesome and they're considering clinical trials. I did ask in my local Vitamin Shoppe about the supplement but they've never heard of it.
I eat a grapefruit every morning just in case it helps. I haven't started on treatment either...waiting to see a hepatologist.
I also do the Milk Thistle and figure antioxidents can't hurt.
Hope this is somewhat helpful.

kconn14

[snadge]

I read loads of the same about Grapefruit Juice - its worth trying along with other supplements - IF YOUR NOT ON TREATMENT - but if you ARE then best avoiding Grapefruit Juice and Milk Thistle until you come off treatment, Grapefruit Juice can affect your Treatment and stop it from working and Milk Thistle can affect Liver Function Test results and also increase/decrease the effects of some other medications you may be taking

Im bang into Alternative Therapy but always follow the SOC approach, FIRST - I was taking Milk Thistle during Treatment originally but stopped ,  I take a good multi-vit with loads of nutrients and anti-oxidants - extra Vit-C with added rosehip - Selenium which also helps the immune system (in UK about half the population are low on selenium due to poor levels in the soil)

as soon as I end my treatment I too will be straight on the grapefruit juice and start taking my LIVER AID tablets again which has Milk Thistle in it with other herbs etc thats good for liver / anti-oxidants - I read that Artichoke is also a great Anti-Oxidant similar to Milk Thistle but haven't looked further into it...

you need to be aware of something else about Milk Thistle - make sure you get a good quality tablet that has at least 60% Silymarin in (ask your supplier how much is in) - Silymarin is the active ingredient in the plant itself that does all the work - my 150mg tablets have 120mg Silymarin in so as you can see mine are pretty good , cost about £10 for 120 (4 months) - some suppliers sell cheap ones that just have the rest of the flower in or whole herb equivelants etc... - you could be taking MT and it being in-effective - always use a trusted source and buy decent strength products

I use simply supplements online in UK - they are the cheapest and most popular online source for supps and also strive on being high quality and the only provider of supps to supply proof to their customers on demand that their tablets are the real deal (lab test results)

[volvic]

I was also diagnosed in acute stage andyou have two choices: eitherwait and see if your body clears or begin therapy. grapefruit juice is good for you in a small amount only for your insulin levels and does not clear hep c.

[IMstacie]

Can't use grapefruit with methotrexate either.

Anyway, back to ajw543, now that you clarifed I think you should do everything you can to make your liver healthy, while you have the time, pre-treatment.  Milk Thistle is great for your liver.  It took me months for the medical group and insurance to get their act together so I used I used Milk Thistle during this time, pre-tx.  It's probably only a coincidence, but my liver enzymes were normal after 12 weeks of Peg/RIBA tx.

[Tippyclubb]

You are correct no grapefruit while on tx.  There are quite a few medicines  you cannot have grapefruit with.  One of them being Xaxax and Zocor.  I never asked why, but I will.

[CoWriter]

If memory serves (and lately it hasn't) I remember that grapefruit juice should not be taken on tox. Not sure why though. "
----------------
Oxidative stress.  Big No-No.

Co

[GreatBird]

I looked at his website. He does not say he can cure HCV. This is what it says:

Dr. Ren has brought ALT levels back to normal in more than 98% of Hepatitis C cases within one to two months of treatment. Even more impressive, Dr. Ren's herbal treatment has reduced HCV levels in about 95% of his patients  and cut liver-enzyme counts (SGPT) to normal in more than 90% of his hepatitis patients.

This means that he says there will be a reduction in liver enzymes and viral load. It doesn't say anywhere that his herbs will eliminate the virus.

The only way to get rid of the virus is the standard therapy of interferon and ribavirin. It is true that it doesn't work with everyone. There are new drugs currently being added to the mix that are in clinical trials that are showing great promise.

[leonab]

I was to start taking interferon injections and read a lot of reviews (bad reviews) on the side effects. My reviews also lead me to a Dr. Wei de Ren in NY that has been helping hep c  patients for over 15 yrs, with a 98% cure rate. Interferon is 30-40% at best. I am going to start his treatment within the next few days. I have a good feeling that Dr. Ren will not only stop this decease I have, but also help heal the damage to my liver, which interferon will not do. Check his web for yourself
Leona

[lolitriqui]

hello all!!! back from three weeks in the jungle without all the internet and other electric stuff; was quite nice; anyway, I asked my wife, she is a physician; P450 Cytochrome is a enzyme in the liver which metabolizes riba; grapefruit juice changes the concentration of this enzyme; she says she doesn't remember, she works on lungs, but it makes riba either more toxic or less effective; so I would ask my hepatologist before doing anything like such a diet; me, finished 24/24 for 3a; extending to 48 for slow viral response; best to all!!!!
ciao

[Bobby1952]

    There is some evidence that Grapefruit juice does help a person with hep c. So go ahead you have nothing to lose. It may help a lot. Of course it won't make you clear the virus. Only your immune system will do that.
    But it definitely won't hurt you and couild do a lot to help you while your DR. decides to treat or not.    

Bobby

[ajw543]

I am not wasting time because my Dr. will not start me on treatments yet.  So I am doing all I can until he does decided to put me on treatment.  Right now he is trying to wait a bit to see if I clear on my on.  My question was not about if I was wasting time but thoughts on drinking the juice and if it might really help me at all.

[moahunter]

you must feel negativley about your own body, because interferon is actually produced naturally by all of us. Here's something positve for you to hear, interferon has actually saved many people, who are SVR. No natural remedy to date has resulted in SVR, for someone who is chronic.

Don't see any harm in grapefruit jucie though.