herbal remedy for Hep-C

I've seen alot of information on taking milkthistle and a little on Liv-52. Can taking either or both of these cause problems to the liver or adverse reactions to any thing else to do with hep-c?

[Catll]

I had to disagree with the profitability part

[illo]

The pharma industry does everything in their power to dissuade people from taking these herbs.  My doc says to take them.  I did well in keeping my enzymes lowered while on them before tx.  Dr Weil has a wonderful post on them.  For myself, I went from the mid numbers to my AST and ALT to normal.  I'm still waiting for the viral load.  I swear there are a few on the list that have ties, either directly or indirectly with the pharma industry, as they speak the loudest aginst the herbs.  It is obvious that they haven't done their research on them, as there are many studies as to their efficacy.  Remember, pharma companies cannot profit from an herb, and their only loyalty is to their shareholders, not the ill. http://gnhealth.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=1040   (Profits & the Pharma industry - by Dr Peter Rost - Pfizer VP marketing)


http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/QAA326618

Q  
Looking for a Liver Cure?
Is it okay to take milk thistle with interferon injections?
A
You definitely can - and should - take milk thistle if you're being treated with interferon (for chronic hepatitis B or C, I assume). Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is an herb that protects the liver from toxic injury and stimulates regeneration of the liver. It does this by enhancing the metabolism of hepatocytes, the working cells of the liver. Milk thistle products are available in health food stores. Look for standardized extracts in tablet or capsule form, and follow the dosage on the label. You can take milk thistle indefinitely.
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I've known a number of patients who have reversed hepatitis C using milk thistle in conjunction with another natural remedy, Schizandra (Schisandra chinensis), the fruit of a Chinese plant. Schizandra berries, like milk thistle, are nontoxic and support healthy liver function. I usually recommend them as part of a natural treatment protocol developed by Dr. Qingcai Zhang in New York. (www.dr-zhang.com)
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Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. There are several forms of viral hepatitis (the type treated with interferon, an anti-viral drug). Hepatitis C is a progressing disease that slowly destroys liver cells even while infected people remain symptom-free. It typically is diagnosed after a patient complains of fatigue or abdominal tenderness or after routine blood tests show elevated liver enzyme levels. Hepatitis C is transmitted by infected blood (via blood transfusions, hemodialysis, or by sharing needles with intravenous drug users). The disease usually becomes chronic, and in about 15 percent of cases (over a period of 20-30 years) leads to cirrhosis of the liver and, sometimes, liver cancer.

Hepatitis B, also due to a viral infection and common in parts of Asia, becomes chronic in only five to 10 percent of cases. It is transmitted via blood transfusions, IV drug use, sexual contact, or from an infected pregnant mother to her fetus. Symptoms include jaundice, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and fatigue. Milk thistle can be safely used with the medical treatments available to treat either type of hepatitis.

Andrew Weil, M.D.

[jboyhk]

Nobody really knows long term risks from taking the drugs. They will do nothing in terms of the Hep C virus but there are many people stating their liver function tests improve on milk thistle even though clincal trials proving this are sketchy.

[Kit07]

Hi imma.
There are clinical trials on milk thistle and its derivative now in process:

An Assessment of Milk Thistle Pharmacokinetics and Drug Interactions
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00200798?order=1

Phase I/II Trials of Silymarin for Chronic Liver Diseases
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00389376?order=1

Evaluating Silymarin for Chronic Hepatitis C
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00200798?order=1

Also, new research from University of Washington researchers (highly credible)  showed milk thistle extract to be antiviral in laboratory tests with human cells.  To my knowledge, this is the first time it has been shown to actually be antiviral as well as antiinflammatory and antifibrotic.  

Inhibition of T-cell inflammatory cytokines, hepatocyte NF-kappaB signaling, and HCV infection by standardized silymarin.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=17484885&query_hl=14&itool=pubmed_docsum

The problem with herbal supplements is that they are not highly regulated so the consumer can't be certain what strength they are getting (if they are imported from China who knows what the heck the stuff is!)  Milk thistle extracts are unlikely to cure hep c, but the plant has been used for several hundred years in European medicine as a beneficial treatment for liver disease. Side effects and toxicity are rare: "Aside from mild gastrointestinal distress and allergic reactions, side effects are rare, and serious toxicity rarely has been reported."
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=16225032&query_hl=16&itool=pubmed_docsum

There is controvery over whether it should be taken at the same time as interferon.  The first study I posted will evaluate drug interactions.

Cheers
Kit

[Catll]

Hi Kit,