supplement while on Pegasys

[agatha56]

Would it be beneficial to take Milk Thistle while on Pegysys?

[irondoor827]

yes  take  the  thistle  but  its  expensive  if  your  health  insurance  wont  pay   for  it  ;
because  you  need  a   lot  of  it  ;
and  a   few  other   suppliments   also;
Thisilyn® CLEANSE Herbal Cleansing Kit
Thisilyn® CLEANSE Mineral Cleansing Kit
Thisilyn® Daily Cleanse, 90 Vcaps®
Thisilyn® Digestive CLEANSE, 90 Vcaps®
Thisilyn® Milk Thistle Extract, 100 Vcaps®
Thisilyn® Milk Thistle Extract, 30 Capsules
Thisilyn® Milk Thistle Extract, 60 Capsules
I  used   this   and   some  :Spirulina is the common name for human and animal food supplements similar to Chlorella and Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (Blue Green Algae.) Spirulina comes from two different species of cyanobacteria: Arthrospira platensis, and Arthrospira maxima. These and other Arthrospira species were once classified in the genus Spirulina.


Despite existing research supporting Spirulina's health and healing properties, detractors claim that these are frequently overstated by Spirulina advocates. Conversely, Spirulina advocates have accused health food detractors of dismissing all such claims without acknowledging this research. Two online publications exemplify these opposing positions, respectively: Wellness Letter on Blue Green Algae, and Superfoods For Optimum Health: Chlorella and Spirulina. Many positive claims are based on research done on individual nutrients that Spirulina contains, such as GLA, various antioxidants, etc., rather than on direct research using Spirulina. What follows is research on the health and healing effects of Spirulina. In vitro research (e.g., studying cells in a petri dish) may suggest the possibility of similar results in humans but, due to the drastically different conditions of the research, provides only hints at the potential for human effects. Animal research can also provide evidence of potential human effects. Human research focuses on actual effects in humans - however, the validity and reliability of the research depends on the design of the study. The strongest evidence comes from well designed and controlled clinical trials, which are one type of human research study.


[edit] In vitro research
Spirulina extract inhibits HIV replication in human T-cells, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), and Langerhans cells.[12]


[edit] Animal research
Spirulina helps prevent heart damage caused by chemotherapy using Doxorubicin, without interfering with its anti-tumor activity.[13] Spirulina reduces the severity of strokes and improves recovery of movement after a stroke;[14] reverses age-related declines in memory and learning;[15] and prevents and treats hay fever.[16]


[edit] Human Research
Spirulina is effective for the clinical improvement of melanosis and keratosis due to chronic arsenic poisoning;[17] improves weight-gain and corrects anemia in both HIV-infected and HIV-negative undernourished children;[18] and protects against hay fever.[19]

A 2007 study [20] found that 36 volunteers taking 4.5 grams of spirulina per day, over a six week period, exhibited significant changes in cholesterol and blood pressure: (1) lowered total cholesterol; (2) increased HDL cholesterol; (3) lowered triglycerides; and (4) lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure. However, as this study did not contain a control group, researchers can not be confident that the changes observed are due totally - or even partially - to the effects of the Spirulina Maxima as opposed to other confounding variables (i.e., history effects, maturation effects, demand characteristics).


B-12   and  vit. C  mixed  with   dandilin   and  Burdock   root    cured  my  liver  problem;

[lalapple]

my doc said no milk thistle. but multivitamin is ok

[Marc1955]

Agatha - it's an urban legend that Milk Thistle interacts negatively with combination therapy. There is no evidence to suggest that it interferes with treatment. OTOH there is no evidence that Milk Thistle impacts in any way the progress of HCV, though there were some observations made in the recent HALT-C study that taking it might alleviate some symptoms.  So the straightforward answer to your question is that it probably would not be beneficial to your treatment.  It probably wouldn't make any difference at all.

[Bill1954]

http://tinyurl.com/6dgm8e

[copyman]

Don't take anything while on treatment except maybe a multi-vitamin WITHOUT iron.

[kitkat14]

I took Milk Thistle and a bunch of other supplements / liver aids before I started treatment.  I found them to be beneficial as far as lowering my AST & ALT counts were concerned, and they helped reduce my level of fatigue.

When I started treating I was told not to take anything that wasn't specifically prescribed for me because of possible interactions, so I stopped taking everything to be on the safe side.

If I remember correctly, someone quoted a survey that showed Milk Thistle interfered with Pegasys absorption, so for now I am staying away from it.

k  

[portann]

I've never taken it, although I know it is mainstream in European pharmacies. Even though it can't cure HCV, it is reputed to provide some benefit without resolving the virus itself.

I would say the wide consensus, if not the rule, is to never take it during interferon/ribavirin treatment.

Here's one link of dozens in the archives of this forum about milk thistle:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/321743

You can do a search in the box on the right (above 'recent activity') and access more valuable threads about this topic.