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### Cures for HEPATITIS:
## Dr. KLENNER :
Dr. Klenner - (Intravenous) Vitamin C Paper -1971.
from : http://www.doctoryourself.com/klennerpaper.html
Viral hepatitis needs brief mentioning. There are two types:
1) Infectious hepatitis;
2) Needle hepatitis.
Physical activity has always been considered to increase the severity and prolong the course of the disease. [58] In Vietnam, Freebern and Repsher showed that pick-and-shovel details had no effects on the 199 controls as against 199 kept at bed rest. [59] One thing is certain. Given massive intravenous ascorbic acid therapy and patients are well and back to work in from 3 to 7 days. In these cases the vitamin is also employed by mouth as follow-up therapy. Dr. Bauer at the University Clinic, Basel, Switzerland, reported that just 10 grams daily, intravenously, proved the best treatment available.
## A possible cure for Hepatitis? http://www.keelynet.com/biology/hepatits.htm
Posted on the KeelyNet BBS on May 15, 1992 as HEPATITS.ASC
This article was from Health Counselor magazine July/August 1991 issue. This is an excellent magazine for information on nature health care and nutrition. You can usually find it, at your local health food store. They usually give it away for free. Or ask your health food store to carry it. I consider this a MUST HAVE to keep up with the latest in natural health care. If you are unable to find it, you can contact them at, Sante Publishing, P.O. Box 1914, Green Bay, Wisconsin 54305. Ronald Barker
DISCOVERING A NATURAL CURE FOR HEPATITIS
`After contracting hepatitis B during surgery, here's how one physician fought back and cured himself.'
By Karolyn A. Gazella
Carson B. Burgstiner, M.D., was at the height of his career. He had developed a thriving practice as an obstetrician/gynecologist in Savannah, Georgia. A highly trained and skilled microsurgeon, Dr. Burgstiner was devoted to his profession. But his profession nearly cost him his life.
THE ORDEAL BEGINS
"In 1983, I contracted hepatitis B after I had stuck my finger while operating on an infected patient," recalled Dr. Burgstiner, who was 49 at the time.
The discovery of the disease and the disasters that followed nearly devastated Dr. Burgstiner and his wife, Jacque.
After his diagnosis, Dr. Burgstiner notified the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Georgia State Board of Medical Examiners. They provided guidelines for him to follow. Because he intended to cooperate fully, Dr. Burgstiner volunteered to have his patients undergo epidemiologic studies.
His patients stood behind him through his ordeal, Dr. Burgstiner explained. "I was very fortunate to have such loyal patients," he said.
Unfortunately, the local media soon learned that Dr. Burgstiner's patients were being tested for hepatitis. Headlines on the front page of the morning newspaper declared: "Source of Local Hepatitis Outbreak Discovered!"
A detailed account of Dr. Burgstiner's diagnosis was included in the article. Immediately, his successful practice and sterling reputation were jeopardized.
"The CDC and the local health department proved that none of the 26 reported cases of hepatitis in the county were patients of mine."
Dr. Burgstiner said. The newspaper subsequently published a retraction on its back page. The publicity added even more stress for the Burgstiners.
"After 26 years of medical practice without a lawsuit, suddenly I had two past patients who claimed that exposure by surgery had caused their hepatitis B," said Dr. Burgstiner. As it turned out, both patients were infected by other sources.
Dr. Burgstiner was forced to discontinue obstetrics and major surgery, limiting his practice to minor surgery and office gynercology. He was an aggressive, motivated physician, and it was a painful transition. "The economic and emotional impact was truly devastating," he said.
DOCTOR BECOMES PATIENT
Coping with the shock of local publicity as well as the frustration of having to refer all of his patients to colleagues for obstetrics and major surgery was just the beginning of Dr. Burgstiner's struggle. The devastating side effects and fear of dying from this disease began to surface. "A chronic hepatitis B carrier in the United States today has a 255 percent chance of dying of liver cancer," he said. "There is clearly an epidemic of hepatitis B, with over 300,000 new cases being diagnosed yearly."
The fear also haunted Dr. Burgstiner's wife. "I remember when my husband and I attended a conference where one of the speakers was discussing hepatitis B," Mrs. Burgstiner recalled. This was when she realized the severity of her husband's condition.
Their fear and concern fueled their determination to fight the disease. The devoted doctor soon became and equally devoted patient. "I've always believed strongly in the teachings of my professor of pathology, W.A.D. Anderson, M.D., who taught me that if you maintain normal physiology, you prevent disease," Dr. Burgstiner explained.
Dr. Burgstiner is the first to admit that he is somewhat unique in the medical establishment. "For the past 29 years I have believed in preventative medicine, nutrition, exercise, and hormonal replacement," he said. "If a gland dries up, you need to replace it."
This philosophy virtually saved his practice and his life. Other than the hepatitis B, Dr. Burgstiner was in excellent health. He asked himself, what gland could be deficient? What gland could he support in order to combat his hepatitis: Armed with a thorough understanding of the human body, he realized the thymus gland was the key.
THE CRUCIAL THYMUS GLAND
"I had always been taught that the thymus gland (which is located within the upper chest) is large in infants but atrophies as we age,"" he said. "The thymus gland has always been credited with controlling the immune system."
Because hepatitis B is an immune disease, Dr. Burgstiner sought a nutritional supplement containing thymus tissue extract. He visited his local health food store, Brighter Day in Savannah.
Dr. Burgstiner began taking a thymus tissue extract supplement, along with 25,000 units be beta carotene and a multiple vitamin. Within three weeks, after a seven-year battle with an "incurable" disease, the E-antigen became weakly positive and the liver studies turned up normal.
"After being tested every week for seven years, I almost didn't believe the test results," Dr. Burgstiner said. "Before I shared the news with Jacque, I waited until a few more tests came back." "I was so happy. My prayers had been answered," Mrs. Burgstiner said.
After another three weeks of following his own protocol, Dr. Burgstiner became E-antigen negative and antibody positive. He was cured of hepatitis. To confirm his finding, he notified the CDC and had blood drawn at Candler Hospital, which was sent to Mass General (Harvard) and Scripps Institute in California. These prominent health facilities conducted many tests on his blood, and all of them showed there was absolutely no trace of the virus in his system.
Dr. Burgstiner shared his good news with a colleague he'd been communicating with about hepatitis research. Dr. Milton G. Mutchnick, a gastroenterologist/hepatologist at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, had published controlled studies where he converted 75 percent of his patients who were hepatitis B carries. "I was planning on getting into his next treatment group," Dr. Burgstiner explained. "When I called him and told him that I converted myself, he asked what I took."
When Dr. Burgstiner told him he was taking an oral thymus extract, Dr. Mutchnick explained that he was using thymus injections in his studies. After their conversation, Dr. Burgstiner sent Dr. Mutchnick a bottle of the oral thymus supplement. Dr. Mutchnick's preliminary tests with the product have given him the same startling results.
Today, Dr. Burgstiner is excited about the potential for helping others. "The impact of thymic hormonal replacement has enormous potential in immune system diseases, from allergies and hay fever to rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, cancer, and AIDS," he said. "This simple glandular hormone could answer a lot of prayers."
Understandably, Mrs. Burgstiner is thrilled. Her husband has regained his thriving practice, but even more importantly, he has regained his health. "I've gotten a second chance, and I want to help as many people as I can," Dr. Burgstiner said.
DEALING WITH HEPATITIS
Hepatitis is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis virus. Basically, there are two main strains of the hepatitis virus:
Hepatitis A is more common and more contagious. The chances of complete recovery from hepatitis A are very good.
Hepatitis B, on the other hand, is much more serious. With hepatitis B, the symptoms are more severe and last longer than with hepatitis A. One of the more serious outcomes of hepatitis B is chronic liver disease.
TRANSMISSION: Transmission of hepatitis B is very similar to transmission of the AIDS virus. Common sources of infection include blood transfusions, intravenous drug abuse, needle punctures from acupuncture or tattooing, and sexual contact.
The virus can spread through contact with infected saliva, nasal mucus, sperm and blood. Hepatitis B may also be transmitted through pregnancy from the infected mother to her unborn baby.
SYMPTOMS: The symptoms of any type of hepatitis include fatigue or extreme weakness, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes), nausea, dark brownish urine, fever, and abdominal discomfort. The severity and range of symptoms vary from case to case.
DIAGNOSIS: Hepatitis is suspected when the above-mentioned symptoms are present. Exact diagnosis is confirmed by specific blood tests that determine elevated liver enzymes and measure antibody activity.
TREATMENT: Although there is presently no known cure for hepatitis B, a vaccination is available. Health care workers are especially encouraged to get the vaccination.
Various nutritional factors should be considered in the treatment of hepatitis B. Many natural liver-supporting techniques are also recommended. The use of an oral thymic fraction supplement to convert hepatitis B carries is presently being explored in more detail.
Because hepatitis A is so contagious, scrupulous sanitation is essential. Clothing and bed linen require special handling when they are visibly soiled, and should be laundered with a detergent that kills germs. Contaminated toilets and floors should be cleaned with a disinfectant.
Patients with hepatitis A are advised to get plenty of bed rest. In the first few weeks of the infection, alcohol is prohibited. After a bout with hepatitis A, patients develop an immunity to the disease.
INCIDENCE OF SYMPTOMS IN HEPATITIS, ALL KINDS
SYMPTOM ..................... % OF PATIENTS
Dark Urine ........................ 94
Fatigue ........................... 91
Loss Of Appetite .................. 90
Nausea ............................ 87
Fever ............................. 76
Vomiting .......................... 71
Headache .......................... 70
Abdominal Discomfort .............. 65
Light Stools ...................... 52
Muscle Pain ....................... 52
Drowsiness ........................ 49
Irritability ...................... 43
Itching ........................... 42
Diarrhea .......................... 25
Joint Pain ........................ 21
(Source: Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, Michael Murray, N.D. and Joseph Pizzorno, N.D.)
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Dr. Burgstiner remains very active within his community and his profession. He is past president of the Medical Association of Georgia and presently serves as vice-chairman of the AMA's Georgia Delegation. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and of the American College of Preventative Medicine. We would like to thank the Burgstiners for sharing their inspirational story.
Health Counselor has welcomed Dr. Brugstiner to our staff of contributing authors.
## Dr. Burgstiner's Complete Thymic Formula and Vitamin/Mineral Complex: http://www.thymic.com/index.php
This remarkable product combines comprehensive nutrition with herbal and glandular factors to form a solid and wholesome foundation of nutritional support. Formulated by a nutritional pioneer, this all natural formula is perfectly balanced with nutrients that are known to bolster your body's natural defense system.
THE ULTIMATE WELLNESS FORMULA! 180 captabs, dose: 6 per day = 1 month supply = $39.95
Dear Friend:
Despite its tremendous resources, America leads the world in degenerative illness. It is no wonder! Millions of people suffer from a weakened immune system, the body's main defense against cancer, viral, bacterial and fungal infections. You live a fast paced, high stress lifestyle that often compromises your good intentions concerning diet and exercise. Your immune system is under constant assault from noxious elements in our environment. You have been convinced of the vital need to supplement your diet with antioxidants and other essential nutrients, but how do you make sense of all the hype that confronts you? Which nutrients are really important and how much should you take? What about the hot new product of the month? Who can you turn to with so many choices?
Preventive Therapeutics, Inc. (PTI) is proud to make available to you a very special and unique dietary supplement, Dr. Burgstiner's Complete Thymic Formula and Vitamin/Mineral Complex. This remarkable product combines comprehensive nutrition with herbal and glandular factors to form a solid and wholesome foundation of nutritional support. Formulated by a nutritional pioneer, this all natural formula is perfectly balanced with nutrients that are known to bolster your body's natural defense system.
Complete Thymic Formula® is not a single ingredient wonder or a passing fad. It is a legacy of faith, obedience, and a distinguished thirty-eight year medical practice devoted to preventive medicine and the study of nutrition. It is manufactured under pharmaceutical conditions with only the highest quality ingredients. Patented assimilation technology is responsible for its superior absorption qualities, but its most powerful component is not on the label. Enthusiastic supporters from all over the world are thanking Dr. Burgstiner for transforming their health while reducing the guess work in their supplement program.
The mission of PTI is to glorify God by enhancing your quality of life through education and unsurpassed nutritional support. We back our products with an unconditional satisfaction guarantee. If for any reason you are not satisfied, just return the unused portion for a prompt refund. We hope that you will take advantage of this special no-risk offer. Place your order today. you will be glad that you did!
Yours in Good Health, John M. Burgstiner, President.
# The Thymus Gland - Controller of Immunity
It is said that over sixty five million Americans suffer from compromised immunity. Supporting your immune system is the most important step you can take in building resistance to illness and limiting the natural effects of aging. According to Dr. Michael T. Murray, nationally known lecturer and co-author of the best seller Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, "The most effective method for maintaining or attaining a healthy immune system is supporting the functions of the thymus gland...to a very large extent, the health of the thymus determines the health of the immune system." 1.
The thymus gland lies just beneath the breast bone. It is large in infants and children and atrophies as we grow older. The thymus seeds the body with immature T-cells, the white blood cells responsible for "cell-mediated immunity". This gland secretes special chemicals called cytokines (ie.- interferon, interleukins) that influence the specialization and migration of T-lymphocytes throughout the body. The thymus also releases hormones that regulate immune function. These thymic hormones help immune cells to mature, "programming" them to recognize tissues as either self or invader. Recognizing the enemy is the first and likely most important step in the immune response.
As we age, the thymus shrinks as its role shifts from immune cell production to regulation of the immune response. Lower thymic hormone levels in the blood are associated with depressed immunity, and are typical of the elderly, individuals with chronic infections, auto-immune disorders, cancer and AIDS patients. The thymus is extremely susceptible to free radical and oxidative damage caused by stress, radiation, poor diet, infection and chronic illness. People who have undergone radiation, chemotherapy or other immune-suppressing treatments also typically have low thymus function. Whatever the cause, depressed immunity can lead to an increase in the frequency and severity of colds, fatigue, allergies, or the onset of opportunistic infections.
# Protecting Thymus Function
The thymus is quite responsive to environmental stimuli and thus is the beneficiary or the victim of the choices that we make every day. In addition to a healthy diet, adequate rest, water and exercise, we must learn to manage stress effectively. Antioxidants like vitamins C and E, beta carotene and selenium help to protect the thymus from free radicals, unstable molecules that damage our cells. Other nutrients such as zinc, vitamin B-6 and certain amino acids are important because they are required for the production of thymic hormones. Vitamins and minerals serve as cofactors and catalysts in the enzymatic pathways that regulate our metabolism. As we age, many essential vitamins and minerals become depleted and must be replaced. Their presence is essential for the proper working of the chemical factories within our cells.
# Glandular Therapy: Cells Help Like Cells
Glandular hormone replacement therapy is being accepted with growing enthusiasm by the established medical community. It is based upon the use of animal glandular and organ substances to bolster the function of the human body's organs and glands. Modern medicine replaces the thyroid gland with thyroid hormone, the adrenal gland with cortisone, the pancreas gland with insulin, and the ovaries with estrogen and progesterone. However, physicians have not routinely replaced the thymus gland. As your thymus shrinks and weakens with age, the most effective and direct way to stimulate it is by consuming thymus tissue. Calf thymus has long been regarded as a delicacy, known throughout the world as "sweetbread", but cooking destroys many of the beneficial properties of the gland. Far more effective is to ingest raw, freeze dried thymus extract, which leaves the thymic factors intact.
Thymic factors are said to be immune modulators. Thymic extracts have been shown to normalize the ratio of T-helper cells to suppressor cells whether the ratio is low as in AIDS, chronic infections and cancer, or high as found with allergies and autoimmune diseases like psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.2. In other words, thymic factors appear to influence the immune response up or down as needed!
Julian Whitaker, M.D, famous advocate of wellness and nutrition and author of the nationally syndicated newsletter, Health and Healing, is a long time proponent of thymic replacement therapy. In a recent report in which he focused on the benefits of a single thymic protein, he stated "Even if you're healthy, I recommend a maintenance dose of thymic protein to support your immune function. Because decreased thymic function, like falling hormone levels and gray hair, is an inevitable part of aging, it is a valuable addition to your general anti-aging/longevity program."
# THE ULTIMATE WELLNESS FORMULA!
Dr. Burgstiner's Complete Thymic Formula (CTF) and Vitamin/Mineral Complex combines cutting edge nutritional support with hormone replacement therapy for the thymus gland. It is perhaps the most comprehensive all natural dietary supplement available today. CTF contains a synergistic blend of herbs, essential vitamins, minerals and amino acids, thymic and other glandular extracts, antioxidants, enzymes and whole food extracts. This remarkable product is designed to provide a solid and wholesome foundation of nutritional support while making available factors that nourish and strengthen immune function.
SUPERIOR QUALITY
Complete Thymic Formula® is manufactured in an FDA/USDA approved laboratory practicing GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices). Stringent quality assurance procedures are maintained, and no solvents are used in the manufacturing process. All raw materials are quarantined and tested for purity, potency and microbial content prior to use. The thymic formula is further tested during production and again prior to packaging.
The vitamins and minerals in CTF are gluconated or chelated (attached to protein) to ensure maximum bio-availability. This reduces the amount of undigested ingredients eliminated through bodily waste, a common problem with low cost vitamin/mineral supplements. Pharmaceutical grade thymus and other glandular extracts are harvested from clean U.S. or New Zealand bovine herds only, and are hormone and antibiotic free.
SUPERIOR ABSORPTION
Complete Thymic Formula® uses a patented Controlled Delivery System(tm) to maximize the absorption and assimilation of nutrients, which are selectively delivered at the right time and place along the digestive tract. In effect, this technology gives the formula an "innate intelligence", recognizing that fat soluble nutrients are optimally absorbed along a certain section of the digestive tract and water soluble nutrients along another. The spray/freeze dried materials are hydrolysated (made water soluble) for optimum absorption. The food factors have a natural coating that protects them in the acidic environment of the stomach, making them available in the small intestine where most absorption takes place.
SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE
From raw materials to finished products, Preventive Therapeutics is committed to excellence in every detail. By far the most powerful component of any PTI product, however, is the spirit of intent with which it was created. Dr. Burgstiner had a refreshing disregard for the business end of the natural products industry. His vision was to enhance the quality of life through education and truly outstanding nutritional support products. When he crafted Complete Thymic Formula®, he had one thing in mind...clinical efficacy.
Rooted in a holistic approach to wellness, the thymic formula seeks to balance the immune system on a cellular level. The tremendous success of Complete Thymic Formula® was as inevitable as that of Dr. Burgstiner's distinguished medical practice. Both grew out of his philosophy that "If you maintain normal physiology you can prevent disease and pathology!"
(References)
1 - Dr. Michael T. Murray: Ask the Doctor, published by Vital Communications, 1999
2 - Cazzola P, Mazzanti P and Bossi G: in vivo modulating effect of a calf thymus acid lysate on human T lymphocyte subsets and CD4+/CD8+ ratio in the course of different diseases. Curr Ther Res 42:1011-7, 1987. Kouttab NM, Prada M and Cazzola P: Thymomodulin: biological properties and clinical applications. Medical Oncology and Tumor Pharmacotherapy 6:6-9, 1989
## Captabs Contain
THYMIC FACTORS & GLANDULARS (Derived from Bovine Sources)
- Thymus Enzymatic polypeptide Fractions++ Containing Thymosin, Thymopoietin and (THF) Thymic Humoral Factor … 1,100 mg
- Thymus Extract … 100 mg
- Raw Spleen … 260 mg
- Raw Lymph … 130 mg
- Raw Bone Marrow … 130 mg
- Raw Pituitary … 20 mg
VITAMIN/MINERAL NUTRIENTS
- Vitamin A - (Beta Carotene)- 5,000 IU
- Vitamin D - (Colecalciferol) - 400 IU
- Vitamin C - (Ascorbic Acid, buffered & esterified) - 1,000 mg
- Vitamin E - (d-Alpha tocopherol succinate) - 460 IU
- Folic Acid - 400 mcg
- Vitamin B-1 - (Thiamine Mononitrate) - 85 mg
- Vitamin B-2 - (Riboflavin) - 25 mg
- Niacinamide - 50 mg
- Vitamin B-6 - (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride) - 25 mg
- Vitamin B-12 - (Cyanocobalamin) - 50 mcg
- Biotin - 300 mcg
- Pantothenic Acid - (Calcium Pantothenate) - 50 mg
- Calcium - (Carbonate) - 150 mg
- Iodine - (Kelp) - 150 mcg
- Magnesium - (Gluconate) - 100 mg
- Copper - (Proteinate/Gluconate) - 2,6 mg
- Zinc - (Proteinate/Gluconate) - 45 mg
- Selenium - (Proteinate/Chelate) - 165 mcg
- Potassium - (Gluconate) - 50 mg
- Manganese - (Gluconate) - 5 mg
- Chromium - (Picolinate) - 50 mcg
- Boron - 1 mg
HERBS AND OTHER INGREDIENTS
- Hesperidin - 5 mg
- Inositol - 250 mg
- Citrus Bioflavonoids - 25 mg
- Choline - (Bitartrate) - 100 mg
- Betaine HCL - 25 mg
- Octacosanol - 375 mcg
- PABA - (Para Amino Benzoic Acid) - 25 mg
- Rutin - 25 mg
- Trypsin - (1:75) - 50 mg
- Bromelain - (1:1200MCU) - 100 mg
- Papain - (600) - 40 mg
- Echinacea Angustifolia - (Angustifolia Root Extract) - 600 mg
- Iris Versicolor Extract - (Blue Flag Root Extract) - 260 mg
- Hydrastis Canadensis - (Golden Seal Root Extract) - 168 mg
- L-Lysine - 525 mg
- Amino Acid Complex + - 25 mg
# Preparation:
This product is prepared in a natural base containing: Alfalfa leaf extract, Deoxyribonucleic acid, Brewers yeast, Wheat germ extract, ribonucleic acid, Watercress, Lecithin extract, Glutamic acid, Apple pectin, Yogurt culture, Acidophilus, Kelp and Bone meal.
SUGAR, STARCH, SALT AND PRESERVATIVE FREE AND NATURAL PROTECTIVE COATING UTILIZED.
# Our Company
Preventive Therapeutics, Inc. was founded by Carson B. Burgstiner M.D. in 1996 to enhance his patients' quality of life through education and outstanding nutritional support products. PTI is committed to providing our customers with accurate information on the importance of prevention and nutritional supplementation which is essential to maintaining overall wellness, fitness and longevity. We will supply only the highest quality nutritional support products that further the philosophy of Dr. Burgstiner that:
"If you maintain normal physiology you can prevent disease and pathology!"
Dr. Burgstiner was a nutritional pioneer and Board-Certified OB-GYN who practiced preventive medicine in Savannah, Georgia for 38 years. He was past President of the Medical Association of Georgia and past Vice-Chairman of the Georgia delegation to the AMA. Dr. Burgstiner was also a Fellow of the American College of OB-GYN, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a Fellow of the American College of International Surgeons, and a Fellow of the American College of Preventive Medicine. In 1997 he was inducted into the University of Miami School of Medicine Hall of Fame as one of only eight distinguished alumni since 1961.
Dr. Burgstiner dedicated his practice to understanding and promoting the role of proper nutrition in maintaining good health. A published author and dynamic speaker, his advice was sought out by patients and colleagues throughout the world.
Dr. Burgstiner received the ultimate reward for his passion and faith in 1997 when God called him home, but he left behind an incredible legacy that continues to transform the lives of people around the globe. The job of carrying on with this legacy was delivered into the capable hands of John Burgstiner, who shares his father's passion for the suffering and thirst for knowledge:
"As any of his adoring patients will testify, my father was given an unusual capacity for loving others and amazing discernment into their health challenges. His message was way ahead of its time. He saw PTI as a platform to speak truth to those who have ears to hear, to expose the enemy’s tactics of slowly stealing away our health and vitality through the poor choices we make every day. It is both humbling and exhilarating to have been nourished by this fountain of wisdom and to share it with the world."
John M. Burgstiner, President and CEO, Preventive Therapeutics, Inc.
to the top
## How serious is hepatitis? http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Concern/Hepatitis.htm
or at http://www.tmh.org/library/healthguide/en-us/Cam/topic.asp?hwid=hn-1027000
Hepatitis is a fairly common liver disease caused by long-term alcohol abuse, infection, or exposure to chemicals and drugs. Occasionally, hepatitis is severe, or even fatal, so it is important to seek professional care for diagnosis and treatment.
Warning signs include:
# Loss of appetite, malaise, nausea and vomiting, and fever
# Darkening of the urine and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes)
Self-care for hepatitis can be approached in a number of ways-but it can be hard to know just where to start. To make it easier, our doctors recommend trying these simple steps first:
· See a doctor
· Get evaluated to determine the cause and best treatment for your condition
· Reduce damage with milk thistle
· Take a standardized extract providing 420 mg a day of silymarin to help the liver
· Check out SAMe
· 1,600 mg a day of SAMe (s-adenosyl-l-methionine) may help resolve blocked bile flow
· Try phyllanthus
· 900 to 2,700 mg a day may be beneficial for people with hepatitis B
These recommendations are not comprehensive and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or pharmacist. Continue reading the full hepatitis article for more in-depth, fully-referenced information on medicines, vitamins, herbs, and dietary and lifestyle changes that may be helpful.
# About hepatitis
Hepatitis is a liver disease that can result from long-term alcohol abuse http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Concern/Alcohol.htm , infection http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Concern/Infection.htm , or exposure to various chemicals and drugs. Because hepatitis is potentially very dangerous, a healthcare professional should be involved in its treatment.
# What are the symptoms of hepatitis?
Acute viral hepatitis varies from a minor flu-like illness to an overwhelming infection resulting in liver failure and death. The early phase is characterized by loss of appetite, malaise, nausea and vomiting, and fever. Signs include a darkening of the urine and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes). Chronic hepatitis may be asymptomatic, or may manifest as malaise, fatigue, loss of appetite and a low-grade fever.
# Medical treatments
Therapy for chronic hepatitis B and C is evolving and may include interferon http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Drug/Interferon.htm (PEG-Intron®, Roferon-A®, Intron A®, Infergen®), antiviral http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Drug/Antivirals.htm (Rebetrol®), and immune-modulating drugs. Autoimmune hepatitis is usually treated with corticosteroids http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Drug/Corticosteroids.htm , such as prednisone (Deltasone®).
Acute hepatitis generally resolves without medications. Treatment of chronic hepatitis includes cessation of causative agents like alcohol. In the late stages of certain types of hepatitis (not hepatitis B, generally), liver transplantation may be required to preserve life.
# Lifestyle changes that may be helpful
Avoiding alcohol is the most obvious way to avoid the liver damage it causes.
A variety of prescription drugs can, on rare occasions, cause hepatitis, as can large amounts of niacin http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Supp/Vitamin_B3.htm or niacinamide (forms of vitamin B3). Excessive intake of acetaminophen http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Drug/Acetaminophen.htm or other painkillers can damage the liver, so excessive intake of these drugs should be avoided. People with hepatitis C who failed to respond to interferon therapy have been found to have a higher amount of iron http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Supp/Iron.htm within the liver.1. People with hepatitis C should, therefore, avoid iron supplements. People with any type of hepatitis should ask their physician whether any medication they are taking poses a risk to the liver.
For infectious (viral) hepatitis, good hygiene is necessary to avoid spreading the infection. The hepatitis A virus can be spread very easily through food that is handled by infected individuals; therefore, people with hepatitis A should wash their hands very carefully after using the restroom and should not handle food at work. The hepatitis viruses B and C are both transmitted by blood and sexual contact.
## Nutritional supplements that may be helpful
- Catechin, a flavonoid http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Supp/Flavonoids.htm , has helped people with acute viral hepatitis,(2) as well as individuals with chronic hepatitis,(3) though not all trials have found a benefit.(4) A typical amount used in successful trials is 500-750 mg three times per day. Although catechin is found in several plants, none contain sufficient amounts to reach the level used in the trials; thus, catechin supplements are needed. However, because of its potential to cause side effects on rare occasions,(5) catechin should be used only under medical supervision.
- Proteins from the thymus gland, an important part of the immune system http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Concern/Immune_Function.htm , may have a beneficial effect in people with chronic hepatitis B. Initial trials done in Poland used injected thymus proteins with good results.(6) Further trials using a variety of thymus extracts http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Supp/Thymus_Extracts.htm by mouth have found that they can improve blood tests that measure liver damage as well as improve immune cell numbers.(7,8) Preliminary evidence also suggests these extracts may help patients with hepatitis C.(9) The standard recommendation for supplementation is 200 mg three times per day of crude extracts or 40 mg three times per day of purified proteins.
- S-adenosylmethionine http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Supp/SAMe.htm (SAMe) (1,600 mg/day orally or 800 mg/day intravenously) has been shown to aid in the resolution of blocked bile flow (cholestasis), a common complication of chronic hepatitis. (10,11)
- Taking 3 grams per day of phosphatidylcholine http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Supp/Lecithin.htm (found in lecithin) was found to be beneficial in one investigation of people with chronic hepatitis B. (12) Signs of liver damage on biopsy were significantly reduced in this trial.
- Vitamin E http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Supp/Vitamin_E.htm levels have been shown to be low in people with hepatitis,(13) as well as in those who later develop liver cancer from long-standing hepatitis.(14) Vitamin E levels in the liver may also be decreased in some people with hepatitis. (15) In a controlled trial of individuals with hepatitis B, 600 IU of vitamin E per day for nine months resulted in all signs of hepatitis disappearing in five of twelve people. (16) In a preliminary trial of adults with hepatitis C, administering 1,200 IU per day of vitamin E for eight weeks appeared to reduce liver damage to some extent. (17) In a preliminary trial of people with hepatitis C, 544 IU of vitamin E per day for 24 weeks improved the response to interferon /antioxidant http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Supp/Antioxidants.htm therapy, although the results did not reach statistical significance. (18) However, in children with viral hepatitis, daily injections of vitamin E (300 IU) for seven days did not produce any benefit. (19)
- Vitamin C http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Supp/Vitamin_C.htm in the amount of 2 grams per day was reported in a preliminary trial to prevent hepatitis infection in individuals receiving blood transfusions.(20) This report was followed up by a double-blind trial, in which 3.2 grams per day of vitamin C was reported to have no protective effect against post-transfusion hepatitis.(21) (However, in the latter trial, vitamin C actually reduced the incidence of hepatitis by 29%, although this reduction was not statistically significant.) An older trial suggested that injections of vitamin C may be helpful in treating viral hepatitis.(22)
A potent antioxidant combination may protect the liver from damage in people with hepatitis C, possibly decreasing the necessity for a liver transplant. In a preliminary trial,(23) three people with liver cirrhosis http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Concern/Liver_Cirrhosis.htm and esophageal varices (dilated veins in the esophagus that can rupture and cause fatal bleeding) caused by hepatitis C received a combination of Alpha lipoic acid http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Supp/Alpha_Lipoic_Acid.htm (300 mg twice daily), silymarin (from milk thistle http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Herb/Milk_Thistle.htm ; 300 mg three times daily), and selenium http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Supp/Selenium.htm (selenomethionine; 200 mcg twice daily). After five to eight months of therapy that included other “supportive supplements,” such as vitamin C and B vitamins http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Supp/Vitamin_B_Complex.htm , all three people had significant improvements in their liver function and overall health. Larger clinical trials are needed to confirm these promising preliminary results.
- Vitamin B12 http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Supp/Vitamin_B12.htm (with or without folic acid http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Supp/Folic_Acid.htm ) has been reported in trials from the 1950s to help some people with hepatitis. (24,25) Vitamin B12 injections are likely to be more beneficial than oral administration, though 1,000 mcg (taken orally) each day can also be supplemented.
- In a preliminary report, three patients with chronic hepatitis B had an improvement in the severity of their hepatitis after taking 100 mg of thiamine http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Supp/Vitamin_B1.htm (vitamin B1) per day. (26)
- In a preliminary trial, supplementation with betaine http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Supp/Betaine.htm (20 grams per day) for 12 months improved signs of liver inflammation in seven patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, a type of liver inflammation. No significant side effects were seen. (27)
- Supplementation with 17 mg of zinc twice a day (in the form of a zinc complex of L-carnosine) enhanced the response to interferon therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C, in a preliminary trial.(28) It is not known whether this benefit was due primarily to the zinc or the carnosine http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Supp/Carnosine.htm , or whether other forms of zinc would have the same effect.
- A preliminary trial found 24 grams per day of whey protein http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Supp/Whey_Protein.htm improved blood measures of liver dysfunction in people with hepatitis B, but not those with hepatitis C.(29)
# Are there any side effects or interactions?
Refer to the individual supplement for information about any side effects or interactions.
## Herbs that may be helpful
- Preliminary trials have shown that the bupleurum http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Herb/Bupleurum.htm -containing formula sho-saiko- to can help reduce symptoms and blood liver enzyme levels in children and adults with chronic active viral hepatitis. (30,31,32,33) Most of theses trials were in people with hepatitis B infection, though one preliminary trial has also shown a benefit in people with hepatitis C. (34) Sho-saiko-to was also found, in a large preliminary trial to decrease the risk of people with chronic viral hepatitis developing liver cancer. However, people who had a sign of recent hepatitis B infection were not as strongly protected in this trial. (35) The usual amount of sho-saiko-to used is 2.5 grams three times daily. Sho-saiko-to should not be used together with interferon drug therapy as it may increase risk of pneumonitis - a potentially dangerous inflammation in the lungs. (36)
- Cordyceps http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Herb/Cordyceps.htm has repeatedly been shown effective in clinical trials at reducing fibrosis and improving liver and immune function in people with chronic hepatitis B, including those with cirrhosis. (37,38,39) The usual amount taken is 3 to 4.5 grams twice daily as capsules or simmered for 10 to 15 minutes in water to make tea.
- Silymarin, the flavonoid extracted from milk thistle, has been studied for treating all types of liver disease. The standard amount used in most trials has delivered 420 mg of silymarin per day. For acute hepatitis, double-blind trials have shown mixed results. (40,41) A preparation of silymarin and phosphatidylcholine http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Supp/Lecithin.htm was reported to help sufferers of chronic viral hepatitis. One small preliminary trial found that at least 420 mg of silymarin was necessary each day.(42) A controlled trial found that silymarin decreased liver damage. (43) One trial has suggested that silymarin may be more effective for hepatitis B as opposed to hepatitis C. (44)
Recent findings have shown that silymarin has the ability to block fibrosis, a process that contributes to the eventual development of cirrhosis in persons with inflammatory liver conditions secondary to alcohol abuse or hepatitis. (45) While there are no published clinical trials in people with hepatitis C to date, this action makes milk thistle extract potentially attractive as a supportive treatment for the condition-particularly for those that have not responded to standard drug therapy. The effectiveness of silymarin (particularly its antifibrotic actions) needs to be studied in larger numbers of persons with hepatitis C to determine whether it is an effective treatment for this condition.
- Phyllanthus http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Herb/Phyllanthus.htm (Phyllanthus amarus), an Ayurvedic http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Therapy/Ayurvedic_Herbs.htm herb, has been studied primarily in carriers of the hepatitis B virus, as opposed to those with chronic active hepatitis. In one trial, administering this herb for 30 days appeared to eliminate the hepatitis B virus in 22 of 37 cases (59%). (46) However, other trials have failed to confirm a beneficial effect of Phyllanthus amarus against hepatitis B. (47,48) A West Indian species, Phyllanthus urinaria (not widely available in the United States or Europe), has achieved much better results than Indian Phyllanthus amarus.(49) Thus, the specific plant species used may have a significant impact on the results. The amount of phyllanthus used in clinical trials has ranged from 900-2,700 mg per day.
- A crude extract of red peony http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Herb/Peony.htm root was shown in a small, preliminary trial to reduce cirrhosis in some people with chronic viral hepatitis. (50) Other preliminary trials published in Chinese demonstrated that red peony root was helpful (by reducing liver enzyme levels or symptoms or both) for people with viral hepatitis. (51)
- One of the active constituents in licorice http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Herb/Licorice.htm , glycyrrhizin, is sometimes used in Japan as an injected therapy for hepatitis B and C. (52,53) Glycyrrhizin also blocks hepatitis A virus from replicating in test tubes. (54) One preliminary trial found that use of 2.5 grams licorice three times per day providing 750 mg glycyrrhizin was superior to the drug inosine polyIC in helping people with acute and chronic viral hepatitis. (55) Because glycyrrhizin can cause high blood pressure http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Concern/Hypertension.htm and other problems, it should only be taken on the advice of a healthcare practitioner.
- A series of cases of acute viral hepatitis were reported by one group in India, showing picrorhiza http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Herb/Picrorhiza.htm , combined with a variety of minerals, to be helpful in hastening recovery. (56) A variety of similar reports have appeared in the Indian literature over the years, although no double-blind clinical trials have yet been published. Between 400 and 1,500 mg of powdered, encapsulated picrorhiza per day has been used in a variety of trials. Andrographis http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Herb/Andrographis.htm , another traditional Indian herb, has shown preliminary benefit for people with chronic viral hepatitis. (57)
- Preliminary human research demonstrates some efficacy for the mushroom reishi http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Herb/Reishi.htm in treating chronic hepatitis B; however, additional clinical trials are needed. (58)
- An uncontrolled trial found that shiitake http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Herb/Shiitake.htm formulations containing Lentinus edodes mycelium (LEM- the powdered mycelium of the mushroom before the cap and stem grow) may help decrease blood markers of liver inflammation. (59) One marker of hepatitis B infection in the blood (HBeAg) disappeared in 14% of the patients in this trial. Given the preliminary nature of the research, more information is needed to determine if LEM is effective for hepatitis.
- Modern Chinese research suggests that compounds called lignans in schisandra http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Herb/Schisandra.htm promote regeneration of liver tissue that has been damaged by harmful influences, such as hepatitis viruses or alcohol. In a controlled trial, Chinese patients with chronic viral hepatitis were given 500 mg schisandra extract three times daily or liver extract and B vitamins. (60) Among those given schisandra, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) levels declined to normal levels in 68% compared to 44% of the control group. Lower SGPT levels suggest less liver inflammation. There was also a reduction in symptoms such as insomnia http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Concern/Insomnia.htm , fatigue, loose stools http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Concern/Diarrhea.htm , and abdominal tension in the schisandra group. A preliminary trial in 5,000 people with various types of hepatitis found normalizations in SGPT or related liver enzymes in 75% of cases using an unspecified amount of schisandra. (61)
- Early clinical trials in China suggest astragalus http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Herb/Astragalus.htm root might benefit people with chronic viral hepatitis, though it may take one to two months to see results. (62) Textbooks on Chinese herbs recommend taking 9-15 grams of the crude herb per day in decoction form. A decoction is made by boiling the root in water for a few minutes and then brewing the tea.
- Another Chinese herb, Chinese scullcap http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Herb/Scullcap_Chinese.htm , might be useful for liver infections. However, the research on this is generally of low quality. (63)
# References
1. Di Bisceglie AM, Bonkovsky HL, Chopra S, et al. Iron reduction as an adjuvant to interferon therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C who have previously not responded to interferon: a multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled trial. Hepatology 2000;32:135-8.
2. Blum AL, Doelle W, Kortum K, et al. Treatment of acute viral hepatitis with (+)-cyanidanol-3. Lancet 1977;2:1153-5.
3. Suzuki H, Yamamoto S, Hirayama C, et al. Cianidanol therapy for HBs-antigen-positive chronic hepatitis: a multicentre, double-blind study. Liver 1986;6:35-44.
4. Bar-Meir S, Halpern Z, Gutman M, et al. Effect of (+)-cyanidanol-3 on chronic active hepatitis: A double blind controlled trial. Gut 1985;26:975-9.
5. Conn HO. Cyanidanol: will a hepatotrophic drug from Europe go west? Hepatology 1983;3:121-3.
6. Skotnicki AB. Therapeutic application of calf thymus extract (TFX). Med Oncol Tumor Pharmacother 1989;6:31-43 [review].
7. Galli M, Crocchiolo P, Negri C, et al. Attempt to treat acute type B hepatitis with an orally administered thymic extract (thymomodulin): Preliminary results. Drugs Exp Clin Res 1985;11:665-9.
8. Bortolotti F, Cadrobbi P, Crivellaro C, et al. Effect of an orally administered thymic derivative, thymomodulin, in chronic type B hepatitis in children. Curr Ther Res 1988;43:67-72.
9. Civeira MP, Castilla A, Morte S, et al. A pilot study of thymus extract in chronic non-A, non-B hepatitis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 1989;3:395-401.
10. Frezza M, Centini G, Cammareri G, et al. S-adenosylmethionine for the treatment of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. Results of a controlled clinical trial. Hepatogastroenterology 1990;37 Suppl 2:122-5.
11. Frezza M, Surrenti C, Manzillo G, et al. Oral S-adenosylmethionine in the symptomatic treatment of intrahepatic cholestasis. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Gastroenterology 1990;99:211-5.
12. Jenkins PJ, Portmann BP, Eddleston AL, Williams R. Use of polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine in HBsAg negative chronic active hepatitis: Results of prospective double-blind controlled trial. Liver 1982;2:77-81.
13. Von Herbay A, Stahl W, Niederau C, et al. Diminished plasma levels of vitamin E in patients with severe viral hepatitis. Free Radic Res 1996;25:461-6.
14. Pan WH, Wang CY, Huang SM, et al. Vitamin A, vitamin E or beta-carotene status and hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma. Ann Epidemiol 1993;3:217-24.
15. Mezes M, Par A, Nemeth P, Javor T. Studies of the blood lipid peroxide status and vitamin E levels in patients with chronic active hepatitis and alcoholic liver disease. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res 1986;6:333-8.
16. Andreone P, Gramonzi A, Bernardi M. Vitamin E for chronic hepatitis B. Ann Intern Med 1998;128:156-7.
17. Houglum K, Venkataramani A, Lyche K, Chojkier M. A pilot study of the effects of d-alpha-tocopherol on hepatic stellate cell activation in chronic hepatitis C. Gastroenterology 1997;113:1069-73.
18. Look MP, Gerard A, Rao GS, et al. Interferon/antioxidant combination therapy for chronic hepatitis C-a controlled pilot trial. Antiviral Res 1999;43:113-22.
19. Yurdakok M, Kanra G. Vitamin E therapy in viral hepatitis. Mikrobiyol Bul 1986;20:91-4 [in Turkish].
20. Morishige F, Murata A. Vitamin C for prophylaxis of viral hepatitis B in transfused patients. J Int Acad Prev Med 1978;5(1):54-8.
21. Knodell RG, Tate MA, Akl BF, Wilson JW. Vitamin C prophylaxis for post transfusion hepatitis: lack of effect in a controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr 1981;34:20-3.
22. Baur H, Staub H. Treatment of hepatitis with infusions of ascorbic acid: comparison with other therapies. JAMA 1954;156:565 [abstract].
23. Berkson BM. A conservative triple antioxidant approach to the treatment of hepatitis C. Combination of Alpha lipoic acid (thioctic acid), silymarin, and selenium: three case histories. Med Klin 1999;94 Suppl 3:84-9.
24. Campbell RE, Pruitt FW. Vitamin B12 in the treatment of viral hepatitis. Am J Med Sci 1952;224:252-62.
25. Campbell RE, Pruitt FW. The effect of vitamin B12 and folic acid in the treatment of viral hepatitis. Am J Med Sci 1955;229:8-15.
26. Wallace AE, Weeks WB. Thiamine treatment of chronic hepatitis B infection. Am J Gastroenterol 2001;96:864-8.
27. Abdelmalek MF, Angulo P, Jorgensen RA, et al. Betaine, a promising new agent for patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: results of a pilot study. Am J Gastroenterol 2001;96:2711-17.
28. Takagi H, Nagamine T, Abe T, et al. Zinc supplementation enhances the response to interferon therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C. J Viral Hepat 2001;8:367-71.
29. Watanabe A, Okada K, Shimizu Y, et al. Nutritional therapy of chronic hepatitis by whey protein (non-heated). J Med 2000;31:283-302.
30. Hirayama C, Okumura M, Tanikawa K, et al. A multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial of Shosaiko-to in chronic active hepatitis. Gastroent Jap 1989;24:715-9.
31. Fujiwara K, Ohta Y, Ogata I, et al. Treatment trial of traditional Oriental medicine in chronic viral hepatitis. In: Ohta Y (ed) New Trends in Peptic Ulcer and Chronic Hepatitis: Part II. Chronic Hepatitis. Tokyo: Excerpta Medica, 1987, 141-6.
32. Tajiri H, Kozaiwa K, Osaki Y, et al. The study of the effect of sho-saiko-to on HBeAg clearance in children with chronic HBV infection and with abnormal liver function tests. Acta Paediatr Jpn 1991;94:1811-5.
33. Gibo Y, Nakamura Y, Takahashi N, et al. Clinical study of sho-saiko-to therapy for Japanese patients with chronic hepatitis C (CH-C). Prog Med 1994;14:217-9.
34. Gibo Y, Nakamura Y, Takahashi N, et al. Clinical study of sho-saiko-to therapy for Japanese patients with chronic hepatitis C (CH-C). Prog Med 1994;14:217-9.
35. Oka H, Yamamoto S, Kuroki T, et al. Prospective study of chemoprevention of hepatocellular carcinoma with sho-saiko-to (TJ-9). Cancer 1995;76:743-9.
36. Mizushima Y, Oosaki R, Kobayashi M. Clinical features of pneumonitis induced by herbal drugs. Phytother Res 1997;11:295-8.
37. Gong HY, Wang KQ, Tang SG. Effects of Cordyceps sinensis on T lymphocyte subsets and hepatofibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Hunan Yi Ke Da Xue Bao 2000;25:248-50 [in Chinese].
38. Zhou L, Yang W, Xu Y, et al. Short-term curative effect of cultured Cordycepssinensis (Berk.) Sacc. Mycelia in chronic hepatitis B. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi 1990;15:53-5, 65 [in Chinese].
39. Zhu JL, Liu C. Modulating effects of extractum semen persicae and cultivated cordyceps hyphae on immuno-dysfunction of inpatients with posthepatitic cirrhosis. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 1992;12:207-9,195 [in Chinese].
40. Magliulo E, Gagliardi B, Fiori GP. Results of a double blind study on the effect of silymarin in the treatment of acute viral hepatitis carried out at two medical centres. Med Klin 1978;73:1060-5 [in German].
41. Bode JC, Schmidt U, Durr HK. Silymarin for the treatment of acute viral hepatitis? Report of a controlled trial. Med Klin 1977;72:513-8 [in German].
42. Vailati A, Aristia L, Sozze E, et al. Randomized open study of the dose-affect relationship of a short course of IdB 1016 in patients with viral or alcoholic hepatitis. Fitoterapia 1993;64:219-27.
43. Buzzelli G, Moscarella S, Giusti A, et al. A pilot study on the liver protective effect of silybinphosphatidylcholine complex (IdB 1016) in chronic active hepatitis. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther Toxicol 1993;31:456-60.
44. Lirussi F, Okolicsanyi L. Cytoprotection in the nineties: experience with ursodeoxycholic acid and silymarin in chronic liver disease. Acta Physiol Hung 1992;80:363-7.
45. Schuppan D, Strösser W, Burkard G, Walosek G. Legalon® lessens fibrosing activity in patients with chronic liver diseases. Zeits Allgemeinmed 1998;74:577-84.
46. Thyagarajan SP, Subramian S, Thirunalasundari T, et al. Effects of Phyllanthus amarus on chronic carriers of hepatitis B virus. Lancet 1988;2:764-6.
47. Doshi JC, Vaidya AB, Antarkar DS, et al. A two-stage clinical trial of Phyllanthus amarus in hepatitis B carriers: Failure to eradicate the surface antigen. Indian J Gastroenterol 1994;13:7-8.
48. Leelarasamee A, Trakulsomboon S, Maunwongyathi P, et al. Failure of Phyllanthus amarus to eradicate hepatitis B surface antigen from symptomless carriers. Lancet 1990;335:1600-1.
49. Wang M, Cheng H, Li Y, et al. Herbs of the genus Phyllanthus in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B: observations with three preparations from different geographical sites. J Lab Clin Med 1995;126:350-2.
50. Yang DG. Comparison of pre- and post-treatmental hepatohistology with heavy dosage of Paeonia rubra on chronic active hepatitis caused liver fibrosis. Chung Kuo Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih 1994;14:195,207-9 [in Chinese].
51. Wang CB, Chang AM. Plasma thromboxane B2 changes in severe icteric hepatitis treated by traditional Chinese medicine-dispelling the pathogenic heat from blood, promoting blood circulation and administrating large doses of radix Paeoniae-a report of 6 cases. Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih 1985;5:322,326-8 [in Chinese].
52. Suzuki H, Ohta Y, Takino T, et al. Effects of glycyrrhizin on biochemical tests in patients with chronic hepatitis. Double blind trial. Asian Med J 1983;26:423-38.
53. Yasuda K, Hino K, Fujioka S, et al. Effects of high dose therapy with Stronger Neo-Minophagen C (SNMC) on hepatic histography in non-A, non-B chronic active hepatitis. In Viral Hepatitis C, D, E, ed. T Shikata, RH Purcell, T Uchida. Amsterdam: Excerpta Medica, 1991, 205-9.
54. Crance JM, L’eveque F, Biziagos E, et al. Studies on mechanism of action on glycyrrhizin against hepatitis A virus replication in vitro. Antiviral Res 1994;23:63-76.
55. Su XS, Chen HM, Wang LH, et al. Clinical and laboratory observation on the effect of glycyrrhizin in acute and chronic viral hepatitis. J Trad Chin Med 1984;4:127-32.
56. Chaturvedi GN, Singh RH. Jaundice of infectious hepatitis and its treatment with an indigenous drug, Picrorhiza kurrooa [sic]. J Res Ind Med 1966;1:1-13.
57. Chaturvedi GN, Tomar GS, Tiwari SK, Singh KP. Clinical studies on kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata) in infective hepatitis. J Int Inst Ayurveda 1983;2:208-11.
58. Hobbs, C. Medicinal Mushrooms. Santa Cruz, CA: Botanica Press, 1995, 96-107.
59. Harada T, Kanetaka T, Suzuki H, Suzuki K. Therapeutic effect of LEM (extract of cultured Lentinus edodes mycelia) against HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B. Gastroenterol Int 1988;1(suppl 1):abstract 719.
60. Liu KT. Studies on fructus Schisandrae chinensis. Annex 12: Studies on fructus Schisandrae chinensis. Plenary lecture, World Health Organization Seminar on the Use of Medicinal Plants in Health Care, Sept 1977, Tokyo, Japan. In: WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific Final Report, Manila, 1977, 101-12.
61. Chang HM, But P (eds). Pharmacology and Applications of Chinese Materia Medica vol 1. Singapore: World Scientific, 1986.
62. Tang W, Eisenbrand G. Chinese Drugs of Plant Origin. Berlin: Springer Verlag, 1992.
63. Bone K, Morgan M. Clinical Applications of Ayurvedic and Chinese Herbs: Monographs for the Western Herbal Practitioner. Warwick, Australia: 1996.
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## Thymus Extracts to cure Hepatitis, http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Supp/Thymus_Extracts.htm
What are they?
Thymus extracts are extracts derived from the thymus glands usually of young calves (bovine). The thymus is one of our major immune system glands http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Concern/Immune_Function.htm . It is composed of two soft pinkish-gray lobes lying in bib-like fashion just below the thyroid gland and above the heart. To a large extent, the health of the thymus determines the health of the immune system. The thymus is responsible for many immune system functions, including the production of T lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell responsible for "cell-mediated immunity." Cell-mediated immunity refers to immune mechanisms not controlled or mediated by antibodies. Cell-mediated immunity is extremely important in the resistance to infection by certain bacteria, yeast (including Candida albicans), fungi, parasites http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Concern/Parasites.htm , and viruses (including herpes simplex http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Concern/Genital_Herpes.htm , Epstein-Barr, and the viruses that cause hepatitis http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Concern/Hepatitis.htm ). Cell-mediated immunity is also critical in protecting against the development of cancer http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Concern/Cancer_Diet.htm , allergies http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Concern/Allergies.htm , and autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Concern/Rheumatoid_Arthritis.htm . The thymus gland also releases several hormones, such as thymosin, thymopoeitin, and serum thymic factor, that regulate many immune functions.
The oral calf thymus extract that has been studied scientifically is specially prepared to concentrate small protein-like molecules (polypeptides). This extract (known as Thymomodulin®) has been shown effective in preventing recurrent upper respiratory tract infections.
Preliminary studies suggest that Thymomodulin may also be helpful in (1) improving one of the T-cell defects in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Concern/HIV_Support.htm -the virus that causes AIDS); (2) treating acute and chronic hepatitis B infections; (3) restoring the number of peripheral white blood cells in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation; and (4) relieving allergies http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Concern/Allergies.htm , including asthma http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Concern/Asthma.htm , hay fever http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Concern/Hayfever.htm , and food allergies, in children.(1,2) The effectiveness of Thymomodulin in these conditions may be the result of improved thymus gland activity, or it may be due to the presence of hormones or other biologically active substances in the extract.
The ability of Thymomodulin to improve immune function and reduce the number of recurrent infections http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Concern/Infection.htm has been shown in double-blind studies of children and adults with a history of recurrent respiratory-tract infections.(3,4,5,6,7) Thymomodulin has also been shown in a double-blind study to improve immune function in cases of exercise-induced immune suppression. In addition, preliminary studies have shown the extract to improve immune function in people with diabetes http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Concern/Diabetes.htm and in elderly people.(8,9,10,11) (Extreme exercise http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Concern/Athletic_Performance.htm , diabetes, and aging are all associated with suppression of immune function.)
Preliminary studies in patients with acute or chronic hepatitis suggest that supplementation with Thymomodulin may be helpful.(12,13) However, additional studies are needed to confirm these findings.
In a preliminary study in patients with early HIV infection, Thymomodulin improved several measures of immune function, including an increase in the number of T-helper cells, one of the goals in the treatment of HIV infection.(14) Thymomodulin (given orally or by injection) has been used in cancer patients to counteract the decline in white-blood-cell levels that can result from chemotherapy or radiation.(15,16,17,18,19,20) In test tube studies, Thymomodulin and other thymus extracts have been shown to exert a number of effects on white blood cells (e.g., increasing both the bone marrow production and functional activity of white blood cells).(21,22) However, it is not yet known if this effect can be achieved with the use of oral thymus extracts.
The oral administration of Thymomodulin has been shown in preliminary and double-blind clinical trials to improve the symptoms and course of hay fever, allergic rhinitis http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Concern/Sinus_Congestion.htm , asthma, eczema http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Concern/Eczema.htm , and food allergies (in conjunction with an allergy elimination diet).(23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30) Presumably, this clinical improvement results from restoring proper control over immune function.
Thymomodulin given by injection has also been shown to be helpful in the treatment of diseases of the heart muscle (idiopathic myocarditis and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Concern/Cardiomyopathy.htm ).(31,32) It is not known whether oral thymus extracts can achieve these same benefits.
# Where are they found?
Thymus extracts (from bovine sources) are found in capsules and tablets as a dietary supplement. Thymomodulin is not available in the United States, and it is unknown whether any of the thymus extracts that are available have the same effects as Thymomodulin.
# Who is likely to be deficient?
Since it is not an essential nutrient, no deficiency state exists.
# Are there any side effects or interactions?
No side effects or adverse reactions have been reported with the use of thymus preparations.
# Are there any drug interactions?
Certain medicines may interact with thymus extracts. Refer to drug interactions http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Supp_Drugix/Thymus_Extracts.htm for a list of those medicines.
# References
1. Cazzola P, Mazzanti P, Bossi G. In vivo modulating effect of a calf thymus acid lysate on human T lymphocyte subsets and CD4+/CD8+ ratio in the course of different diseases. Curr Ther Res 1987;42:1011-7.
2. Kouttab NM, Prada M, Cazzola P. Thymomodulin: Biological properties and clinical applications. Med Oncol Tumor Pharmacother 1989;6:5-9 [review].
3. Fiocchi A, Borella E, Riva E, et al. A double-blind clinical trial for the evaluation of the therapeutic effectiveness of a calf thymus derivative (Thymomodulin) in children with recurrent respiratory infections. Thymus 1986;8:831-9.
4. Galli L, de Martino M, Azzari C, et al. Preventive effect of thymomodulin in recurrent respiratory infections in children. Pediatr Med Chir 1990;12:229-32.
5. Vettori G, Lazzaro A, Mazzanti P, Cazzola P. Prevention of recurrent respiratory infections in adults. Minerva Med 1987;78:1281-9.
6. Longo F, Lepore L, Agosti E, Panizon F. Evaluation of the effectiveness of thymomodulin in children with recurrent respiratory infections. Pediatr Med Chir 1988;10:603-7.
7. Maiorano V, Chianese R, Fumarulo R, et al. Thymomodulin increases the depressed production of superoxide anion by alveolar macrophages in patients with chronic bronchitis. Int J Tissue React 1989;11:21-5.
8. Garagiola U, Buzzetti M, Cardella E. Immunological patterns during regular intensive training in athletes: quantification and evaluation of a preventive pharmacological approach. J Int Med Res 1995;23:85-95.
9. Wysocki J, Wierusz-Wysocka B, Wykretowicz A, Wysocki H. The influence of thymus extracts on the chemotaxis of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) from patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDD). Thymus 1992;20:63-7.
10. Calsini P, Mocchegiani E, Fabris N. The pharmacodynamics of thymomodulin in elderly humans. Drugs Exp Clin Res 1985;11:671-4.
11. Braga PC, Dal Sasso M, Maci S, et al. Restoration of polymorphonuclear leukocyte function in elderly subjects by thymomodulin. J Chemother 1994;6:354-9.
12. Galli M, Crocchiolo P, Negri C, et al. Attempt to treat acute type B hepatitis with an orally administered thymic extract (Thymomodulin): preliminary results. Drugs Expt Clin Res 1985;11:665-9.
13. Bortolotti F, Cadrobbi P, Criverllaro C, et al. Effect of an orally administered thymic derivative, Thymodulin, in chronic type B hepatitis in children. Curr Ther Res 1988;43:67-72.
14. Valesini G, Barnaba V, Benvenuto R, et al. A calf thymus lysate improves clinical symptoms and T-cell defects in the early stages of HIV infection: second report. Eur J Cancer Clin Oncol 1987;23:1915-9.
15. Kouttab NM, Prada M, Cazzola P. Thymomodulin: biological properties and clinical applications. Med Oncol Tumor Pharmacother 1989;6:5-9 [review].
16. Kang SD, Lee BH, Yang JH, Lee CY. The effects of calf-thymus extract on recovery of bone marrow function in anticancer chemotherapy. New Med J 1985;28:11-5.
17. Schulof RS. Thymic peptide hormones: basic properties and clinical applications in cancer. Crit Rev in Oncol Hematol 1985;3:309-76 [review].
18. Meneses G, Delgado MA, Perez-Machado A, et al. Thymostimulin increases natural cytotoxic activity in patients with breast cancer. Int J Immunopharmacol 1997;19:187-93.
19. Skotnicki AB. Thymic hormones and lymphokines. Drug Today 1989;25:337-62 [review].
20. Ernst E. Thymus therapy for cancer? A criteria-based, systematic review. Eur J Cancer 1997;33:531-5 [review].
21. Vasilopoulos G, Porwit A, Lauren L, et al. The effect of a calf thymus acid lysate on bone marrow cell growth in vitro. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 1988;10:523-36.
22. Skotnicki AB. Thymic hormones and lymphokines. Drug Today 1989;25:337-62 [review].
23. Cazzola P, Mazzanti P, Bossi G. In vivo modulating effect of a calf thymus acid lysate on human T lymphocyte subsets and CD4+/CD8+ ratio in the course of different diseases. Curr Ther Res 1987;42:1011-7.
24. Kouttab NM, Prada M, Cazzola P. Thymomodulin: biological properties and clinical applications. Med Oncol Tumor Pharmacother 1989;6:5-9 [review].
25. Marzari R, Mazzanti P, Cazzola P, Pirodda E. Perennial allergic rhinitis: prevention of the acute episodes with Thymomodulin. Minerva Med 1987;78:1675-81.
26. Genova R, Guerra A. A thymus extract (thymomodulin) in the prevention of childhood asthma. Pediatr Med Chir 1983;5:395-402.
27. Bagnato A, Brovedani P, Comina P, et al. Long-term treatment with thymomodulin reduces airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine. Ann Allergy 1989;62:425-8.
28. Fiocchi A, Grasso U, Travaglini P, et al. A double blind clinical trials on the effectiveness of a thymic derivative (Thymomodulin) in the treatment of children with atopic dermatitis. Int J Immunother 1987;3:279-84.
29. Cavagni G, Piscopo E, Rigoli E, et al. Food allergy in children: an attempt to improve the effects of the elimination diet with an immunomodulating agent (thymomodulin). A double-blind clinical trial. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 1989;11:131-42.
30. Genova R, Guerra A. Thymomodulin in management of food allergy in children. Int J Tissue React 1986;8:239-42.
31. Miric M, Vasiljevic J, Bojic M, et al. Long-term follow up of patients with dilated heart muscle disease treated with human leucocytic interferon alpha or thymic hormones initial results. Heart 1996;75:596-601.
32. Miric M, Miskovic A, Brkic S, et al. Long-term follow-up of patients with myocarditis and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy after immunomodulatory therapy. Immunol Med Microbiol 1994;10:65-74.
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## Hepatitis B and Vitamin E http://www.luminet.net/~wenonah/new/howfindv.htm
Associated Press http://www.apme.com/
CHICAGO - Moderate supplements of vitamin E, already believed to protect older people from heart disease and dementia, also boost the immune system in people over 65, a new study found.
The research suggests that older people ought to take about 20 times more vitamin E a day than the current recommended daily allowance of 8 to 10 milligrams, authors said.
"We looked at three different levels of vitamin E - 60, 200 and 1300 milligrams, and the 200 milligrams ( 400 I.U. ) seemed to be optimal," said immunologist Simin N. Meydani of the USDA Human Nutiition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston.
The researchers compared supplements with a placebo among 88 healthy people age 65 and older. They reported the results in Wednesday's issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Daily 200-milligram supplements for four months increased subjects' T-cell function by 65 percent and their response to hepatitis B vaccine six fold, compared with placebos, researchers said.
T-cells are white blood cells that help fight viruses and tumors and contribute to the body's defenses in other ways. Vaccine response refers to the level of protection that a vaccine provokes in the body.
No adverse effects were reported. Doses of 800 milligrams boosted immunity similarly in those measures and others, but pushed them no higher, Meydani said.
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## Urea to cure Hepatitis http://www.luminet.net/~wenonah/new/nieper.htm
Even urea in the amount of 7-15 grams daily has obviously spectacular effects on certain forms of cancer - especially advanced cancer of the liver. Although in 1974 Dr. Danopuolos, Professor at the Greek Cancer Clinic discussed this in detail in the British magazine "Lancet" this path was not further pursued by orthodox medicine. This therapy is very inexpensive, mostly harmless and can be administered for a prolonged period. The underlying principle seems to be an antiviral effect. The effect of the urea therapy is limited to cancers, which are known to be started by the foregoing viral infections. This is true for liver cancers (hepatitis B) and for oral tumors (herpes virus).
A further method to detoxify the cancer cells from the inside consists of the introduction of L-glutathione, a compound with sulfureous amino acids. Known results up to now permit prediction of benefits from this treatment.
… Insects and sharks are phylogenetically extremely old. Their ability to conserve and safeguard their gene system is just superb. Gene repair including anti-cancer and anti-viral is likewise very old and Primitive, much older than our sophisticated and delicate immune systems which are constantly brought to the doctor for possible servicing.
In Germany a very strange custom has prevailed for many decades, and I have seen very many reasonable people swearing by it. It is the eating of certain lice, which normally live on sheep, for the cure of viral hepatitis. Although I have always kept an open mind with respect to unconventional medicine, I had always classified the sheep lice cure as "spooky." Now, with the discovery of the iridoides, even this cure may look different.
It is certainly reasonable to assume that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and orthodox medicine, do not have in mind to officially approve the sheep lice cure.
… Meanwhile the strong suspicion has arisen that in many other organ tumors, viruses - especially of the herpes group, as well as those of hepatitis-B and the so-called cytomegaloviruses - are more or less co-responsible for the initiation of the malignant process, i.e., for the real cancer genesis in the cell. This suspicion applies to the following tumors: ovaries;*
[ * Approximately in 1960, a Munich gynecologist Dr. Philippine Hartmann, made an extraordinary discovery: If a cell-free extract of a human ovarian cancer is applied to the egg membrane of a chicken egg, so-called cytopathogenic defects occur, i.e., the beginnings of cancerous development. Thus, the human ovarial cancer must contain a perhaps virus-like cancer excitant. While Dr. Hartmann reported on her findings to the world cancer congress in Houston, Texas, in 1970, she was so excited that she lost her voice and could not be understood. Perhaps she had been utterly speechless before the conference because of attitudes of the orthodox Munich cancer clinicians, who, after all, had also been instrumental in the lawsuit against Dr. Issels! ]
bladder; kidneys; prostate; all tumors in the nose, mouth and throat area; certain tumors of the so-called adenocarcinoma type, of the windpipe and the bronchia in the lungs; lymphomas; the so-called clear cell melanomas; melanomas in general; and pancreas, which was repeatedly observed following acute shingles. It also applies to primary liver cancer after earlier viral hepatitis-B. Furthermore, apparently viruses of the herpes group also play a role in Hodgkin's Disease (lymphogranulomatosis). However, the latter must be included among the immune diseases, which can also lead to - among other things - the development of equally malignant primary tumors at several locations.
Finally, there are several originally tropical tumors, such as the so-called Burkitt lymphoma, caused by Epstein-Barr viruses, which belong to the herpes group.
…In this context, a further comment will be of great interest. On January 26, 1974, the Greek oncologist, Professor Danopoulos, published some very interesting observations in the British technical journal "The Lancet." Large primary cancer of the liver had undergone remission in several patients following a very simple therapy. The patients received 10-18 grams of urea daily. This is a very inexpensive product. One observed side effect was that the flow of urine was strongly stimulated, since the urea had to be eliminated again. This increased urine flow also detoxifies the body of cancer degradation products. It has also been known for some time, that urea can treat herpes virus infections and hepatitis-B virus infections. And these are precisely the possible cancer-generating viruses. Since, as a rule, at least, in animal experiments, urea has hardly any healing effect on cancerous tumors, its effect in these special clinical cases apparently depends on its ability to inactivate the virus genome in the cancer cell. We found, in any event, that urea is effective on liver tumors, and especially on the often hard-to-treat tumors in the mouth, nose and throat region.
We must derive yet another piece of information from this observation. It seems obvious that the cancer cell is not quite as autonomous as has been assumed so far. The inactivation of its original starter or generator apparently also threatens its own autonomy. At the 1982 cancer congress in Baden-Baden, another interesting discussion took place, in this context. The Italian researcher Dr. Anna Novi described how liver cancers generated by aflatoxin had been regressed by means of the sulphur-containing peptide glutathion. it was seriously argued that glutathion might be active not so much against the cancer cell itself, as against the aflatoxin, its original starter. Aflatoxin is a strongly carcinogenic substance which is secreted by certain fungi, which themselves thrive on peanuts.
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## Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Overview from http://www.hon.ch/Hepatitis/HBV_Complement.html
9.3 - Complementary Medicine
To my knowledge there is no proven cure for hepatitis B in this area of medicine, this is not to say there is no cure in these areas. The problem is there is very little research being done and controlled studies are uncommon. Where a person has been "cured" due to the lack of double blind studies with reasonable to large groups of people it is difficult to say if it would have happened anyway as occurs in between 2%-5% of people each year or due to the complementary medicine.
However there are treatments available where it is believed that damage due to hepatitis may be limited, cause relief of symptoms, help with interferon side effects etc
A note of caution, some herbs and minerals given to people can have been found to cause liver damage and some herbs increase liver enzymes and so mask the results of conventional treatment/ongoing disease. Some in only in a small percentage of people, some in all and some may be dosage dependent, I therefore advise you to research any herbs and minerals you decide to take and discuss them with your medical practitioner and make an informed decision.
This is a large topic and information is taken from various sources. Unfortunately the scientific rigour of controlled studies, double blind trials and confirmation of results rarely occurs with complementary therapy and some times outrageous claims are made. Similarly often useful treatments are ignored by conventional medicine. So please treat the information here as a pointer to your own research. Also the length of the information does not signify the value of it!
I hope to expand this section further in future versions however various herbs, vitamins, amino acids etc you may wish to research are:- Milk Thistle (Silymarin); Aloe Vera; Thymic Factors, Mega doses of Vitamin C; Melatonin; Methinonine (An amino acid), Acytyl-L-Cystine, Choline, Ginseng (Note: This may have a mild imunosupressive effect through glycocortisoid action and is therefore not advised if taking interferon, although a course before starting on interferon may have a slight priming effect for the immune system and be beneficial(?) ); Goldenseal; licorice root; Gotu Kola; details of some of these are shown below:-
# Artichoke (CYNARA SCOLYMUS, Cynarin, CAFFEIC ACID )
An excerpt from the following article: SILYMARIN COMPLEX FOR LIVER DISORDERS by Michael T. Murray, N.D. published in "Health World" spring 1987.
The artichoke has a long folk history in treating many liver diseases. Recent evidence supports this long-time use. The active ingredient in artichoke is cynarin. this compound is found in highest concentrations in the leaves.
Like silymarin, cynara extract has also demonstrated significant liver-protecting and regenerating effects. it also possesses choloeretic effect, promoting the outflow of bile from the liver to the gall-bladder. This is a very important property. If the bile is not being transported adequately to the gallbladder, the liver has an increased risk of being damaged. Choleretics are very useful in the treatment of hepatitis and other liver diseases via this "decongesting" effect.
Choleretics typically lower cholesterol levels via their ability to decrease the synthesis of cholesterol in the liver. Consistent with its choleretic effect, cynara extract has been shown to lower blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels in both human and animal studies.
- CLINICAL TRIALS OF CYNARA SCOLYMUS
In a controlled trial, two groups of 30 patients having elevated serum cholesterol and triglycerides were given either cynarin (500 mg. per day) or a placebo. Cynarin proved to induce a significant reduction of these elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
In addition, the patients also displayed a reduction in body weight. This effect was probably a result of cynarin's diuretic activity.
- CAFFEIC ACID
It appears cynarin, the active component in artichoke leaves extracts, is not the true active substance. Since cynarin can be broken down into caffeic acid in the gastrointestinal tract, it is conceivable that the true active component is caffeic acid. This compound has demonstrated a significant liver-protecting effect as well as choloeretic activity.
Cynara Extract has also demonstrated significant liver-protecting and regenerating effects.
# Liquorice root
- From the "Encyclopaedia of Natural Medicine", Michael Murray, N.D. and Joseph Pizzorno, N.D.
The recommended dosage of Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) for hepatitis of all kinds is:
(Doses 3 times per day):
Dried root (or as tea, 1 to 2 g.
Tincture (1:5), 4-6ml (1 to 1.5 tsp)
Fluid extract (1:1), 0.5-2.0 ml (1/4 to 1/2 tsp)
Powdered solid extract (4:1), 250-500 mg
If liquorice is used over a long time it is necessary to increase the intake of potassium rich foods.
Double-blind studies have shown a liquorice component to be effective in treating viral hepatitis, particularly chronic active hepatitis. This activity is probably due to its well documented antiviral activity. A glycyrrhizin-containing product (Stronger Neo-minophagen C), consisting of 0.2 per cent glycyrrhizin, 0.1 per cent cysteine and 2.0 per cent glycine in physiological saline solution, is widely used intravenously in Japan for the treatment of hepatitis. The other components, glycine and cysteine, appear to modulate glycyrrhizin's actions. Glycine has been shown to prevent the sodium- and water-retaining effects of glycyrrhizin, while cysteine aids in detoxification via increased glutathione synthesis and cystine conjugation.
- Licorice as a liver herb by Paul Bergner
Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is a time-honoured herbal medicine in all world herbal traditions. It is used as a primary herb in perhaps more categories than any other medicinal plant. It is used with success for acute respiratory problems, gastric ulcers, gastritis, inflammatory conditions in general, and adrenal exhaustion. Components of licorice root have both estrogenic and anti-estrogenic activity (Leung; Kraus; Kumagai et al; Sharaf and Goma; Tamaya et al). It is thus an important herb for treating hormone-related female problems. It has not traditionally been used as a liver herb, but medical research over the past two decades in Japan and China has shown that licorice is also an important liver herb with strong hepatoprotectant properties. This should not be thought of as just another minor use for licorice. It is as significant a hepatoprotectant as the better-known milk thistle seed, and acts through separate mechanisms than that herb.
The two together should be considered in any hepatoprotecant formula or treatment plan. Form and dose Most of the Asian clinical research and practice has been with glycyrrhizin, a major constituent of licorice root. The product in most Japanese trials is Strong Neominophagen-C (SNMC) which contains 40 mg glyzyhhrizin, 20 mg cysteine, and 400 mg glycine in 20 ml saline solution. Cysteine and glycine are amino acids. A typical treatment for hepatitis is 40 ml of SNMC a day for thirty days delivering 80 mg of glycyrrhizin per day (Hikino). The upper range of clinical trials has been 200 ml SNMC (400 mg glycyrrhizin) (Mori et al, 1989, 1990), but trials above 100 ml (200 mg glycyrrhizin) have been rare, due to concern over possible side effects (see below) (Hikino).
Oral extracts Comparable therapeutic levels of glycyrrhizin can probably be reached with oral preparation; important active constituent of licorice, and therapeutic levels for a wide variety of conditions are easily achieved with oral administration. Licorice root (G. glabra) contains 6-14% glycyrrhizin ( erck), so an oral dose of 7-8 grams powdered licorice would deliver it.
- HEPATITIS
Clinical trials for hepatitis, especially chronic active hepatitis, have been so successful in Japan that glycyrrhizin is now a standard medical treatment there (Kumada et al; Matsunami et al.; Ohta et al; Su et al; Suzuki et al; Wang; Zhang et al).
- MECHANISMS OF HEPATOPROTECTION
The mechanisms of hepatoprotection are diverse, and include antioxidant activity (Kiso et al; Abdugafurova et al; Tan; Ju et al), direct antiviral effects (Hikino; Crance), enhancement of interferon production (Hikino; Shinada); enhanced antibody production (Hikino), enhancement of extrathymic T-Cell activity in the liver (Kimura et al), and protection from immunological (auto-immune) injuries (Hikino; Mizoguchi et al). A number of animal and in vitro trials have shown that glycyrrhizin can protect liver cells from damage from a variety of chemical or immunological agents (Nakamura et al; Mizoguchi et al; Shibayama; Shiki et al; Zhao et al).
- OTHER CLINICAL TRIALS
Glycyrrhiza has also been effective in treating HIV/ARC in haemophiliacs, and, notably, improved liver dysfunction in these patients (Mori et al, 1990; Mori et al, 1989). It has also been effective in preventing the hepatic side effects of chemotherapy with a methotrexate combination or interferon (Akimoto et al; Hayashi et al), and in treating general hepatic failure (Acharya).
- ENTEROHEPATIC CYCLING
One reason licorice is so effective in treatment of the liver is that it enters the enterohepatic loop, that is, it is excreted in the bile, then reabsorbed in the gut to recycle repeatedly through the liver (Ichikawa; Ishida).
- SIDE EFFECTS AND DRUG INTERACTIONS
Licorice produces well-documented side effects when taken in large doses (>>50 g/day) or for long duration (>>six weeks) (Wichtl). No such side effects have been observed in clinical trials of 40 ml SNMC/day for thirty days, or with 100 ml SNMC (200 mg glycyrrhizin/day) ~for a short period~ (Hikino). With widespread use of SNMC in japan, hyperaldosteronism was seen with larger doses and extended use (SNMC). The side effect is reversible on discontinuation of glycyrrhizin. Licorice or glycyrrhizin may also interact with herbs or other medications containing cardiac glycosides.
# Milk Thistle (Silymarin, blessed thistle, Chardon Marie)
Milk Thistle (Silymarin) is reported to be an anti-inflammatory and mast cell stabilizer that helps protect the liver against toxin, drugs, and the affects of alcohol (Better Nutrition for Today's Living, March 1993).I . Two capsules of 100mg extract of milk thistle (Silybum marianum) containg 70% sillymarin (ie 140mg of silymarin) are normally taken so twice or three times a day. European research shows that it stimulates regeneration of liver cells and protects them from toxic injury" It is usually stocked in health food stores under the names milk thistle, silybum, or silymarin.
In germany milk thistle is frequently prescribed to those on interferon.
From the Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine Michael Murray, N.D. and Joseph Pizzorno, N.D. :
The common milk thistle contains some of the most potent liver protective substances known, a mixture of three flavanolignins colelctively referred to as silymarin. (30-33) The concentration of silymarin is highest in the fruit, but it is also found in the seeds and leaves.
Silymarin's effect in preventing liver destruction and enhancing liver function relates largely to its ability to inhibit the factors that are responsible for hepatic damage, i.e., free radicals and leukotrienes, coupled with an ability to stimulate liver protein synthesis. (30-33)
Silymarin prevents free radical damage by acting as an antioxidant.
Silymarin is many times more potent in antioxidant activity than vitamin E. Silymarin not only prevents the depletion of glutathione (GSH) induced by alcohol and other liver toxins, but it was shown to increase the basal GSH of the liver by 35 per cent over controls in one study. This is extremely useful when exposure to toxic substances is high, due to glutathione's vital role in detoxification reactions.
The protective effect of silymarin against liver damage has been demonstrated in a number of experimental and clinical studies. (30-38) Experimental liver damage in animals can be produced by such diverse toxic chemicals as carbon tetrachloride, amanita toxin, galactosamine and praseodymium nitrate. Silymarin has been shown to protect against liver damage by all of these agents. (30-33)
Another way in which the liver can be damaged is by the action of leukotrienes. These compounds are produced by the transfer of oxygen to a polyunsaturated fatty acid. This reaction is catalysed by the enzume lipoxygenase. Silybum components inhibit this enzyme, thereby inhibiting the formation of these damaging compounds.
Perhaps the most interesting effect of silybum components on the liver is their ability to stimulate protein synthesis. (30-33) The result is an increase in the production of new liver cells to replace the damaged old ones. This demonstrates that silymarin exerts both a protective and restorative effect on the liver.
In human studies, silymarin has been shown to have positive effects in treating liver diseases of various kinds, including cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, fatty infiltration of the liver (chemical and alcohol induced fatty liver) and inflammation of the bile duct. (32-38) The therapeutic effect of silymarin in all of these disorders has been confirmed by histological (biopsy), clinical and laboratory data. Silymarin is especially effective in the treatment and prevention of toxic chemical or alcohol induced liver damage. (32-38)
REFERENCES:
30. Hikino, H. Kiso, Y., Wagner, H. and Fiegig, M., "Antihepatotoxic actions of flavonolignans from Silybum marianum fruits", Planta Medica, 1984, 50, pp 248-50
31. Vogel, G., Trost, W., Braatz, R., et al., "Studies on pharmacodynamics, site and mechanism of action of silymarin the antihpatotoxic principle from Silybum marianum (L.) Gaert"., Arzneim-Forsch, 1975, 25, pp 179-85
32. Wagner, H., Antihepatotoxic flavonoids", in Cody, V., Middleton, E. and Harbourne, J.D. (eds), Plant flavinoids in Biology and Medicine: Biochemical, Pharmacological and Structure-Activity relationships, Alan R. Liss, New York, NY 1986, pp545-58
33. Wagner, H., "Plant constituents with antihepatotoxic activity", in Beal, J.L. and Reinhard, E. (eds) Natural Products as Medicinal Agents, Hippokrates-Verlang, Stuttgart, 1981
34. Sarre, H., "Experience in the treatment of chronic hepatopathies with silymarin", Arzneim-Forsch, 1971, 21, pp 1,209-12
35. Canini, F., Bartolucci, A., Cristallini, E., et al., "Use of silymarin in the treatment of alcoholic hepatic stenosis", Clin. Ther., 1985, 114, pp 307-14
36. Salmi, H.A., and Sarna, S., "Effect of silymarin on chemical, functional, and morphological alteration of the liver. A double-blind controlled study" Scand.J.Gastroenterol., 1982, 17, pp 417-21
37. Scheiber, V., and Wohlzogen, F.X., "Analysis of a certain type of 2 x 3 tables, exemplified by biopsy findings in a controlled clinical trial", Int.J.Clin.Pharmacol., 1978, 16, pp 533-5
38. Boari, C., Montanari, M., Galleti, G.P., et al., "Occupational toxic liver diseases. Therapeutic effects of silymarin", Min.Med., 1985, 72, pp 2,679-88.
# Some Modern Uses of Milk Thistle Seed by Paul Bergner
Milk thistle seed extracts, usually standardized to 70% silymarin content, are commonly used in conventional medicine in Europe, where it has been officially available since 1969. More than $180 million in silymarin products were sold in Germany alone in one recent year. The trials below all used this 70%-silymarin pharmacetuical preparation, but this does not in any way prove that only such preparations would have this clinical result. See the accompanying articles for reports of clinical use of other forms of milk thistle seed.
- HEPATITUS
In 77 patients with acute viral hepatitis, 42 were treated with placebo and 35 with a milk thistle seed extract. Recovery time for the placebo group averaged 43 days, and for the silymarin group, 29 days (Legalon).
- ALCOHOLIC CIRRHOSIS
In a well-controlled double-blind study of ninety-six cases of alcholic hepatic cirrhosis, forty-nine patients were treated with placebo and forty-seven with silymarin. After a five-year period, there were only five deaths (10.5%) in the silymarin group, and fourteen deaths (28.5%) in the control group (Benda et al).
- PEDIATRIC LIVER DISEASE
In a study of 166 children under the age of seventeen with chronic liver disease, the following results were obtained: For cases of chronic persistent hepatitis, 70% showed improvement, 27% stabilized; 4% had no improvement or stabilization. For cases of chronic active hepatitis, 32% showed improvement; 44% stabilized, and 24% had no beneficial effect (Jodl et al).
- FATTY DEGENERATION
In a group of 88 patients with toxic-metabolic liver damage due to alcohol abuse or diabetes mellitus, elevated transmaminase values and abnormal bromsulphalein test results tended to revert to normal. Ninety-one abnormal test results fell to only 37 (59% improvement) after treatment with silymarin (Fintelman V).
- PHARMACEUTICAL DRUGS
In a study of sixty-six female patients taking spychopharmacological or anticonvulsant agents for neurological or psychiatric problems, liver function tests gave a total of 71 abnormal results. Fifty-two of these (73% responded to silymarin treatment, the gret majority of them returning to normal ranges (Legalon).
- ANESTHESIA
In sixty-one patients receiving anesthesia using halothane or hexobaribtal, the thrity-two control showed a distinct post-operative rise in serum enzymes. Twenty-nine patients receiving silymarin showed no such rise (Benda and Zenz).
- OCCUPATIONAL TOXINS
Studies showed that silymarin could rapidly cure workers producing pesticides who had disturbed liver function; other studies showed that in forty patients with posioning by silicon dioxide, the effect could be completely antagonized by silymarin at certain doses (Legalon)
Phylanthus Amarus/Nituri/Nirruri (the Ayurvedic name is Bhumy Amalaki)
- Effect of Phyllanthus amarus on chronic carriers of hepatitis B virus. Lancet. 2(8614):764-6, 1988 Oct 1.
"Abstract: In a preliminary study, carriers of hepatitis B virus were treated with a preparation of the plant Phyllanthus amarus for 30 days. 22 of 37 (59%) treated patients had lost hepatitis B surface antigen when tested 15-20 days after the end of the treatment compared with only 1 of 23 (4%) placebo-treated controls.
Some subjects have been followed for up to 9 months. In no case has the surface antigen returned. Clinical observation revealed few or no toxic effects. The encouraging results of this preliminary study recommend continued evaluation of this plant and the active principles isolated from it."
Please note the small numbers of patients and the emphasis that this is a preliminary study. A medline search shows that many researchers have failed to confirm these findings, while others show prominsing, usually in vitro, results.
# Thymus Extracts
Excerpts from Dr. Julian Whitaker's "Health and Healing" monthly newsletter. Oct. 1992, Vol. 2. No. 11. The "proofs" offered re: oral thymus supplements are mostly anecdotal.
The thymus gland controls your immune system in to basic ways. First it is the source of T-lymphocytes or T-cells (T stands for thymus), which are crucial in the fight against viruses, bacteria, yeast, and all other foreign invaders. Early in life the thymus gland seeds the bone marrow with immature T-cells, where they multiply and mature. It is the T-cells that are destroyed by the HIV virus and their destruction brings on full-blown AIDS.
Second, the thymus gland produces a variety of hormones that stimulate the maturation of T-cells and increase the production of other immune hormones, such as interferon and the immune globulins. Several hormones from the thymus gland have been isolated, but the one receiving the most attention right now is thymosin alpha 1.
Researchers all over the world are exploring the therapeutic possibilities of thymus hormone replacement, but none are more vigorously than Milton Mutchnick, MD, head of the department of gastroenterology at Hutzel Hospital and associate professor of medicine at Wayne State University medical Center in Detroit. He recently published a year-long study demonstrating that a synthetic injectable version of a thymus hormone, thymosin alpha 1, given twice weekly, eliminated the hepatitis B virus in six out of seven pations (86%), compared to a spontaneous conversion of one out of five (20%) in the placebo group.
- EUROPEAN STUDIES SHOW VALUE OF THYMUS EXTRACT
Oral products of thymus extract are shunned in this country because most researchers believe that the digestive juices in the stomach and intestines will destroy them before they are absorbed. However, in Europe, an oral thymus product, Thymodulin, with sales of over $300 million a year, has been sued and studied for almost a decade. Control trials show that it significantly improves a variety of conditions and even eliminated hepatitis b in 45% to 50% of children, compared to only 20% in the control group.
In one convincing study, oral Thymodulin was administerd to 29 patients: eight with herpes zoster, eight with whooping cough, eight with chicken pox and five with infectious mononucleosis.
Another 29 patients with the same diseases received a placebo.
Various parameters were used to measure the effectiveness of Thymodulin, and all patients who received it showed significant improvement compared to controls.
Dr. Burgstiner (Savannah GA) contracted Dr. Mutchnick, who was very interested in Dr. Burgstiner's experience and wanted to have a look at the product he had used. Dr. Mutchnick took Immunoplex 402 and the vitamin preparation himself, and then measured his blood levels of thymosin alpha 1. He wrote Dr. Burgstiner: "You might be pleased to know that I conductd a pilot study on myself by taking several of the Immunoplex 402 tablets after having first obtained a pretreatment serum, which was followed then by serums at 1/2 hour, 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, and 4 hours. Lo an behold, by the first hour--and consistently for the next several hours-- the thymosin alpha 1 level, as determined by the ELISA, increased. Clearly, I will have to repeat this on a number of subjects, but this offers an exciting potential for turning thymosin alpha 1 from a subcutaneous injection into an oral preparation."
Dr. Burgstiner encouraged Melvin L. Haysman, MD, who practices allergy and clinial immunology in Savannah, to try the products with some of his patients. Dr. Haysman collected before and after blood smaples of about a dozen patients who took Immunoplex 402 with the vitamins and minerals, and sent them to Dr. Mutchnick.
Dr. Mutchnick found that the products had increased the blood levels of thymosin alpha 1 in every patient, and in some by 300% to 700%.
- WHY NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS SHOULD BE ADDED
Vitamin and mineral supplements taken with the Immunoplex 402 markedly enhance the effect of the product. Dr. Mutchnick found that three Immunoplex 402 tablets taken with one vitamin and mineral supplement elevated the blood level by over 300%, and three Immunoplex 402 tablets plus two of teh vitamin and mineral supplements caused an almost 450% rise in thymosin alpha 1 hormone.
It should not be a surprise that supplemental nutrients would have this effect on the oral preparation. In one recent study from italy, zinc sulfate was added to the serum of patients with Down's syndrome (known to have very low levels of thymus activity) and of elderly patients, also with characteristically low levels of active thymus hormone. The active hormone in their serum icnreased to that of young, healthy individuals.
The authors theorized that zinc is necessary to activate thymus hormone, and that marginal zinc deficiences could be a cause of immune dysfunction and decreased function of thymus hormone even when it was present. The same is likely true for other essential nutrients as well. One of the first and most consistent signs of any nutrient dificiency is immune dysfunction. But very few doctors prescribe nutritional supplements. They all "know" they don't work. And blah blah blah....
- THE POTENTIAL FOR PREVENTING AGE-RELATED DISORDERS
The ability to maintain high levels of thymus hormone activity has enourmous petential for alleviating suffering from age-related diseases, and the anecdotal experience of Drs. Burgstiner and Haysman is remarkable. Dr. Burgstiner has been keeping a running tally of th benefits reported to him by patients and doctors of patients who have tried the preparations. This is not a scientific study, but over the last two years...
63 patients have reported complete recovery from Hep B.
3 patients with Hep C recoverd
26 patients with chronic fatigue syndrome reported marked improvement.
24 patients with rheumatoid arthritis -- some taking methotrexate, cortisone, and gold shots, indicating very severe conditions -- reported almost complete remission of symptoms and elimination of strong medications.
# Tumeric (Curcumin)
An excerpt from the following article: SILYMARIN COMPLEX FOR LIVER DISORDERS by Michael T. Murray, N.D. published in "Health World" spring 1987
Curcumin is the yellow pigment of tumeric. Curcumin shares some of the same effects on the liver as silymarin and cynarin. It has demonstrated similar liver protection activity to silymarin. Curcumin is believed to also be converted to a choleretic compound, perhaps even caffeic acid. Curcumin's documented choleretic effects support its historical use in treating liver and gallbladder disorders. Like cynara extracts, curcumin has also been shown to lower cholesterol levels.
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## ASCORBATE AND THE POSSIBLE PREVENTION OF AIDS, http://www.orthomed.com/aids.htm
Morishige has demonstrated the effectiveness of ascorbate in preventing hepatitis B from blood transfusions (20). A similarity exists between AIDS and hepatitis B. It has been my experience that patients treated with large doses of ascorbate during the acute phase of hepatitis will not develop chronic hepatitis. My experience with herpes simplex has been the same. Although ascorbate is helpful to a degree with chronic viral infections, it is in the treatment of acute viral diseases that it is most effective.
It is on this basis that I recommend that all persons who fear exposure to AIDS and certainly anyone receiving blood trans- fusions or other blood products which could in the most remote way have been obtained from an AIDS carrier, be put on bowel tolerance doses of ascorbate.
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## Live Protein Therapy in the Management of Liver Disease, by Thomas Bayne, DC. from http://www.tldp.com/issue/11_00/protein.htm
Liver disease is the third leading disease-related cause of death for Americans aged 25-59. Hepatitis and cirrhosis are particularly common liver disorders that are part of the degenerative cascade of liver disease that starts with inflammation and swelling and develops into fatty degeneration, cirrhosis, and cancer.1
Two live protein extracts are regularly employed in treating liver disease: thymus proteins are used to increase the hosts’ resistance and are responsible for cell-mediated immunity, and liver proteins to improve the regenerative capabilities of the liver. Researchers have recently indicated Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF), as one of the many proteins and growth factors found in the liquid liver extract. Clinical applications of HGF represent an exciting new direction in the treatment of liver disease. This article will define the disorders and discuss treatments using biologically active proteins such as HGF found in liver extract, combined with thymus gland proteins, to modulate immune response, stimulate liver regeneration, accelerate hepatic function, reverse fibrosis and cirrhosis.
Hepatitis is defined as an inflammation of the liver that is associated with cellular damage or death of the liver cell. There are two forms of hepatitis: acute hepatitis, which is typically self-limiting, and chronic hepatitis, which may be benign but sometimes develops into progressive liver damage often leading to cirrhosis, hepatic failure and death.2 Symptoms of hepatitis include extreme fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Dark urine typically appears within 3-10 days and is followed by a yellowing of the skin, called jaundice. Jaundice takes 7-10 days to develop and 2-4 weeks to fade away. The liver is usually enlarged and tender to palpation. The most common cause of hepatitis is contamination by virus. The American liver foundation identifies five different viruses that cause hepatitis: the A, B, C, D and E viruses.
- Hepatitis A is usually a benign self-limiting disease that accounts for 20-25% of the cases of acute hepatitis.2 It does not cause chronic hepatitis or a carrier state and so the fatality rate is about 0.1%.3
- Hepatitis B (HBV) can produce an asymptomatic carrier state, acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, progression of chronic disease to cirrhosis, and/or fulminant hepatitis with massive liver necrosis.2 HBV also plays a prominent role in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma.
- Hepatitis C (HCV) is mostly transfusion-associated with as many as 60% of acute HCV infections progressing to chronic hepatitis. HCV is responsible for at least 30% of the cases of fulminant viral hepatitis.4
- Hepatitis D only develops when there is concomitant hepatitis B infection and is relatively uncommon in the United States.2
- Hepatitis E (HEV) is responsible for large epidemics of acute hepatitis in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Mexico. Chronic hepatitis E infection has not been observed, accounting for the low death rate due to HEV. However, HEV has a 25% death rate in pregnant females.5
# Allopathic Treatment of Hepatitis
Modern medical treatment consists of interferon alfa-2b, recombinant alone or in combination with Rebavirin. Side effects from these medications include muscle aches, yeast infections, anemia, seizures, brain fog, autoimmune reactions, hypersensitivity reactions (allergic reactions, asthma) osteoporosis, deterioration of cardiac function, coronary disease, diabetes mellitus, and severe psychiatric symptoms such as depression and suicidal behavior. Rebavirin is so dangerous to a developing fetus that women of childbearing age must show proof of 2 forms of acceptable birth control before they are given a prescription.
# Holistic Treatment of Hepatitis
Diet
A whole foods diet that is low in protein will minimize stress on the liver. An elimination of refined flours and sugars, caffeine, and alcohol is crucial. Vegetable broths and juices should be emphasized with particular attention to spirulina, chlorella, wheat grass juice, and barley juice. A minimum of 4 glasses of water for every 50lbs of body weight should be consumed daily.
# Live protein therapy
The liver injury in HBV infection is due to an immune mediated host reaction to the infection and not the infection per se.6 In one HBV study, thymus extract was used to modulate immune mediated reactions. Eighteen patients with biopsy-confirmed hepatitis B and lowered T4/T8 ratio were split into two groups and received thymic extract for 6 and 12 months respectively. There was a normalization of both biochemical and immunological markers within 6 months of beginning treatment. Laboratory markers revealed a complete cessation of viral replication, which implies remission.7 Two-year follow-up showed continued remission with normal immunological and biochemical panels. A similar study on a larger patient group produced similar findings and conclusions.8
The use of Liver extract and more specifically Hepatocyte Growth Factor(HGF) has demonstrated the ability to accelerate hepatic function.9 One hepatitis study showed that HGF stimulated the regeneration of hepatocytes under inflammatory conditions such as hepatitis B and C.10
Liver extract has also demonstrated remarkable results in the treatment of chronic hepatitis. A double-blind study was conducted that involved 556 patients with chronic hepatitis. One group was given 70mg of liver hydrosylate three times per day and the other group placebo three times per day. At the end of three months of treatment the group receiving the liver extract had far lower liver enzyme levels. Since the levels of the enzymes in the blood reflect damage to the liver, it was concluded that the liver extract is effective in the treatment of hepatitis through its ability to improve the function of damaged liver cells and to prevent further damage to the liver.11
Cirrhosis is a category of chronic liver disease associated with interconnecting fibrous scars that eventually lead to parenchymal nodules that create further damage and scarring eventually developing arteriovenous interconnections. Symptoms appear such as mild fatigue, indigestion, constipation or diarrhea and skin rashes. These are followed by abdominal swelling, pain, vomiting of blood and jaundice. Advanced cases lead to coma and eventually death. Researchers recently discovered that the scar tissue associated with cirrhosis is not permanent and in fact is actually reversible.12 The following protocol has demonstrated the ability to reverse cirrhosis.
# Live Protein Therapy
Radchenko et al. successfully treated 102 patients with chronic hepatitis and primary biliary cirrhosis with thymus extracts. The results showed a significant increase in immune competence, which helped control the immunoinflammatory process in the liver and normalized the clinical manifestation of the disease leading to a favorable outcome.13
HGF has also shown great clinical potential in the treatment of cirrhosis in animal models. The antiapoptotic activity of HGF in hepatocytes14 is of particular interest pertaining to the process of cirrhosis. In addition, HGF was a potent stimulator of DNA synthesis in primary hepatocytes.9,15 These important results demonstrate successful treatment of a very difficult disease that typically has a very unfavorable outcome.
# Hepatitis Case Study
A.L. presented with a history of hepatitis C infection that was contracted after a blood transfusion in 1980. A liver biopsy in 1996 confirmed chronic hepatitis C. The patient’s medical doctor told him that he had three to five years to live. A.L. was searching for “palliative care” to “make the last few years of my life as comfortable as possible” when we began therapy. A comprehensive program was implemented that included dietary modifications combined with live thymus proteins, live liver proteins, and detoxification therapies. Concurrently, a solution-focused psychotherapeutic approach aimed at increasing coping and managing emotional fear and distress was implemented.
For the first month of care A.L. took three Natcell Thymus, and one Natcell Liver per week. After four weeks of care A.L. reported a marked increase in energy levels, and general improvement in overall well-being. Months two through four A.L. took two Natcell Thymus per week and one Natcell Liver every two weeks. Over the next six months the dosage was slowly decreased to one Natcell Thymus every two weeks and one Natcell Liver per month. Reports from his psychotherapist indicated that his mindset was changing from a hopeless helpless posture to a hopeful and optimistic mindset. At the end of the 10-month period A.L. was given a complete clean bill of health. There was no sign of viral infection in his body.
For the next two months a heavy program of Natcell liver combined with coffee enemas was introduced to further rebuild and rejuvenate the liver. In the first month A.L. took two Natcell Liver per week and performed three coffee enemas per week. The second month consisted of one Natcell Liver per week and two coffee enemas per week. Twelve months after therapy had begun, A.L had gained 20lbs of lean muscle. He has integrated a mind-body appreciation for his new health; he has adopted a new philosophy on life and remains healthy to this day. He remains on a maintenance dose of one Natcell Liver every six weeks and one Natcell Thymus every eight weeks.
# Conclusion
Live protein therapy represents a viable treatment option in the management of liver disease. Although Organotherapy is by no means a new concept, our understanding of the science behind the mechanism of action is beginning to become clearer. Clinically, I have witnessed results that warrant further research. My approach is patient-specific and my treatment philosophy requires balance between the physical, biochemical, emotional and electromagnetic systems. I have used Natcell Thymus and Natcell Liver in the management of liver disease as part of a comprehensive treatment protocol for more than 5 years. My results have been consistent and reproducible. The Natcell line of products are available from Atrium Biotechnologies, Inc. of Quebec City, Canada.
Correspondence:
Dr. Thomas Bayne, D.C.
1535 Lake Cook Rd. Suite 404
Northbrook, Illinois 60062 USA
847-714-1531
Email: tom_bayne@mindspring.com
References
1. Babal, K., Reversing Liver Damage, Nutrition Science News, 2(10), 1997, 508-512
2. Cotran, R., Kumar, V., Robbins, S., 4th Edition Robbins Pathological Basis of Disease, W.B. Saunders Co., 1989.
3. Lesnicar, G., A prospective study of viral hepatitis A and the question of chronicity. Hepatogastroenterology 35:69, 1988
4. Bernuau, J., et al.: Fulminant and subfulminant liver failure: definitions and causes. Semin. Liver Dis. 6:97, 1986
5. Aggarwal, R., Krawczynski, Hepatitis E: an overview and recent advances in clinical and laboratory research. J Gastroenterol Hepatol, Jan 2000, 15(1): 9-20
6. Berkow, R., Fletcher, A., The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy; 15th edition. Merck Research Laboratories, Rathway, N.J. 1987, p.905
7. Dworniak, D., et al. Treatment with thymic extract TFX for chronic active hepatitis B. Archivum Immunologiae et Therapiae Experimentalis. 1991, 39(5-6): 537
8. Zeman, K., et al. Effect of thymic extract on allogeneic MLR and mitogen-induced responses in patients with chronic active hepatitis B. Immunological Investigations. 1991 Dec, 20(7): 545.
9. Kaido, T., et al. Portal branch ligation with a continuous hepatocyte growth factor supply makes extensive hepatectomy possible in cirrhotic rats. Hepatology, 1998 Sep; 28(3): 756-60
10. Ohnishi, T., et al. Effect of phosphorylated rat fetuin on the growth of hepatocytes in primary culture in the presence of human hepatocyte-growth factor. Evidence that phosphorylated fetuin is a natural modulator of hepatocyte growth factor. Eur J Biochem 1997 Feb 1; 243(3): 753-61
11. Fujisawa, K., et al, Therapeutic effects of liver hydrosylate preparation on chronic hepatitis-A double blind, controlled study. Asian Med J 26,497-526, 1984
12. Freidman, Rockey, Maher. Presentation at the 50th annual meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease. Oct. 1999.
13. Radchenko, VG et al. The efficacy of immunomodulating preparations in treating patients with chronic cholestatic liver diseases. Vrachebnoe Delo. 1992 Nov-Dec, (11-12):38
14. Ueki, T., et al. Hepatocyte growth factor gene therapy of liver cirrhosis in rats. Nat Med 1999 Feb; 5(2):226-30
15. Kaido, T., et al. Perioperative continuous hepatocyte growth factor supply prevents postoperative liver failure in rats with liver cirrhosis. J Surg Res 1998 Feb 1;74(2):173-8
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