Amino Acids & Hep C

[sparra]

I read in a few other posts that some people here take Amino Acids for energy and for other benefits. My questions is can these be harmful on the liver?

I'm asking because I have hep C (stage 0) and I work out regularly and the amino acids really benefit me muscle and energy wise. The amino acids I take (taken as Potassium Caseinate) are:

L-Alanine
L-Arginine
L-Asparic Acid
L-Crystine
L- Glutamic Acid
Glycine
L-Hisdine
L-Isoleucine
L-Leucine
L-Lysine
L-Methionine
L-Phenylalanine
L-Proline
L-Serine
L-Threonine
L-Tryptophan
L-Thyrosine
L-Valine

I also take some occasional creatine after a really hard workout but I'm just asking how hard these could be on the liver having been that most of them occur or get produced in the human body naturally.

For other health reasons I take daily fish oil, flax-seed oil, and a daily multivitamin as well. I'm in my twenties/male/stage 0/Geno 1

[fretboard]

I take amino acids without iron and they seem to help me with my energy level as well.  I don't think they are harmful, however I do not take Milk Thistle.  Here's a link and some info on excercise and other things HepC.  later

http://www.****.org

EXERCISE FOR THOSE WITH LIVER DISEASE
Regular exercise is an important component necessary to combat liver disease. This isn't
something that can be read in any medical textbook or taught in medical school
classrooms. This may explain why most liver doctors don't realize how important
exercise can be to maintaining their patients' health. People who are in good shape and
who exercise on a regular basis not only feel better, but often respond more positively to
medical treatment. People do not have to do a lot of exercise in order to reap the benefits.
Nor does it pay to overdo it. The main thing is simply to get going. Regular exercise will
increase energy levels, decrease stress on the liver, and, in many cases, even delay the
onset of certain complications associated with liver disease. For people with liver
disease, it is crucial to consult with a doctor before beginning any type of exercise
program. The benefits of exercising are numerous. First, exercise gives people a general
sense of well-being and improved self-image. It is a known fact that if a person feels well
mentally, her immune system will be stronger and give her that extra edge needed to fight
disease.
Second, as previously discussed, exercising gives a person a boost of energy. Fatigue is
probably the most common and one of the most bothersome symptoms that plagues
people with liver disease. Many people with liver disease frequently feel like they don't
have enough energy to make it across the room, let alone around the block. However, the
best way to fight this seemingly relentless exhaustion is to exercise. Yes, this may seem
like a vicious cycle, but most people find that it actually works. In part, fatigue may have
to do with the fact that both the heart and the liver are working overtime to keep a good
supply of filtered blood circulating throughout the body. Adding a regular exercise
routine enables both organs to work more efficiently. Eventually, this will boost energy
levels. While most people find it tough going at first, they eventually realize that the
benefits are worth it.
Third, exercise improves cardiovascular function. As the body gets stronger and more
aerobically fit, the cardiovascular system will be able to work more efficiently. Less
effort will be required of the heart to pump blood to the liver and other body organs. Less
effort on the heart equals stronger cardiovascular function and an increased overall
energy level for a person with liver disease. It is extremely important to attempt to do
some exercise while on interferon treatment, as this will decrease the fatigue, irritability,
and depression often associated with this medication.
Fourth, exercise results in a reduction of total body fat. While nearly everyone knows that
being overweight places a great deal of stress on the heart, most people don't realize that
it also makes it harder for the liver to do its job. When total body fat is reduced, fat
content in the liver is simultaneously reduced. This often results in a significant reduction
of elevated liver enzymes, no matter what the underlying liver disorder may be. Eating
right and getting plenty of exercise is probably the slowest way to lose weight known to
humanity, but it's also the safest. That's especially true for people with liver disease.
Combining a healthy diet with regular exercise is also the best way to keep from
regaining the weight.
Copyright 2000 by Melissa Palmer
Dr. Melissa Palmer's Guide To Hepatitis Liver Disease - Permission to reprint
_____________________________________________________________________

[sparra]

Yes, I read a few threads and some members of this forum were taking amino acids. I am wondering if anyone else can also shed some light on this subject.

Thanks GoodByeHepC for your answer - I'll ask my hepatologist is opinion on this as well.

BTW, he told me at his University Hospital their doing a large study on Milk Thistle and testing whether or not Milk Thistle is beneficial or not for us Hep C patients.

[GoodByeHepC]

I'm not a Dr. but I was working out quite a bit and taking aminos to build muscle mass back when I first found out that I had HepC

My viral load back then was MUCH lower than it was when I recently went into treatment. I think it was something like 20k back then and was over 700k last Feb. And I'm sure I contracted it at least 10 years before my first lab tests.

Needless to say I have not been working out in recent years nor using aminios.

And I do recall reading that aminos (AND exercise) benefit liver regeneration.

Let me know if anyone else corroborates my theory.

good luck!