Exercise

[Tallblonde]

Snook's comment on a thread below about exercise elevating liver enzymes got me thinking.  I've always been physically active, but within the past couple of months, I joined a gym and I'm working out with weights for the first time in my life.  I had my enzymes checked a couple of weeks ago and they were indeed a tad higher than they were back in December.

I also read recently in a book by Dr. Zhang (a well-respected Chinese herbalist) that vigorous exercise isn't good for the liver.  He recommends "gentle" exercise, like walking.

I really don't want to scale back on my activity, but on the other hand, if it's going to compromise my liver health, I can't overlook that.

Any thoughts?

Susan

[bzzracer]

I hope when you said "drink alot" you're not meaning liquor. If you're HCV positive there's no faster way to kill your liver and help the virus spread than by consuming alcohol. Drink lots of water, distilled prefered.

[rosemary_m2]

I was asking tallblone about the description on the liver 2 bottle in the web site vita it seems that they describe these pills liver 2 for alchol consumption...As far as my liquor goes I have cut that down alot,,just now and then I will have a binge but not for long its like on a riday or sat nite...I know its very bad to drink with my hepc thanx so much rose

[Tallblonde]

Rosemary,

The Vitacost blurb is poorly written --I don't know why.  But I do want to tell you that alcohol binging is the absolute WORST thing you could be doing.  Quite honestly, I'm shocked that you would take such a major risk with your Hep C.  If you're truly serious about managing this disease, you have to stop that behavior NOW.  Otherwise, no pill is doing to protect you from the inevitable liver-destruction that you'll be bringing on yourself.  For your sake, and the sake of your child, please stop.

Susan

[Califia]

Scruffy's right about muscle trauma causing enzyme spikes, but that's no reason to cut back on exercise.  In fact, move that body as much as you can.   Zhang's advice seems more directed to people who are affected by exhaustion, and in that case overexertion is a bad idea.    But remember that the 3rd pillar of  TCM  (along with herbal medicine and acupuncture) is exercise--specifically Chi Gung,  which involves attention to the breath and can be done sitting (if you're very ill.)   Otherwise it looks a lot like Tai Chi and can actually be an intense ballet-like workout.   So congratulations on hitting the gym!

[bzzracer]

Oooh, binge drinking, BAD. Like playing Russian roulette but with a loaded gun? That's what you're doing by drinking alcohol. You're dead wrong if you think HCV and liquor can subside together without causing you great harm. Please stop.

[Tallblonde]

Great!  I'll put an extra five pounds on the dumbbells tonight!

Thanks for putting my mind at ease.

Susan