The
following is an excerpt from the above e-book
ANTIOXIDANTS,
FREE RADICALS
& HEPATITIS C
According to a study published in Hepatology International on Nov 26, 2009,
"Most hepatocellular carcinomas occur in cirrhotic livers, and the common mechanism for hepatocarcinogenesis is chronic inflammation associated with severe oxidative stress." In other words free radicals cause oxidative stress and chronic inflammation that may develop into liver cancer for individuals with liver disease such as hepatitis C. Furthermore the study concludes, "As a consequence, antioxidants have been proposed as an adjunct therapy for various liver diseases."
WHAT
ARE FREE RADICALS?
Free radicals are explained in the book,
Prescription for Natural Healing, by James Balch as follows:
"A free radical is an atom or group of atoms that contains at
least one unpaired electron. Electrons are negatively charged
particles that usually occur in pairs, forming a chemically
stable arrangement. If an electron is unpaired, another atom
or molecule can easily bond with it, causing a chemical reaction.
Because they join so readily with other compounds, free radicals
can effect dramatic changes within the body, and they can cause
a lot of damage..."
The presence of a dangerous number of free
radicals can alter the way in which the cells code genetic
material. Changes in protein structure can occur as a result
of errors in protein synthesis. The body's immune system may
then see this altered protein as a foreign substance and then
destroy it. The formation of mutated proteins can eventually
damage the immune system and then lead to cancer and other
diseases.
In addition to damaging genetic material, free radicals can
destroy the protective cell membranes.
WHAT ARE ANTIOXIDANTS?
By destroying free radicals, antioxidants
help to detoxify and protect the body. We can minimize free
radical damage by taking supplements of key nutrients. There
is a group of vitamins, minerals and enzymes that are classified
as antioxidants.
Antioxidants can be obtained from food sources such as fresh
fruits and vegetables, it is difficult to get enough of them
to be effective in protecting against the cellular damage
caused by a virus such as hepatitis.
Since antioxidants protect against cellular
damage it is no wonder they are used in health regimens prescribed
for hepatitis, since hepatitis can do massive free radical
damage to the liver!
WHAT ROLE DO ANTIOXIDANTS PLAY IN THE TREATMENT OF HCV?
A US study confirmed that oxidative stress
(from free radical damage) occurs in patients with chronic
hepatitis and that the levels of the free radicals correlated
with the activity of the hepatitis. Antioxidant supplements are believed by many to protect against the free radicals generated by the hepatitis C virus.
There are clinical studies from Italy that
suggest that glutathione, a very important liver antioxidant,
influences hepatitis C in the following ways:
* impairs the replication of HCV
* improvement in liver enzyme levels
* improve liver cell damage
* make interferon anti-viral therapy more
effective
(To see a more detailed description of these clinical studies
please see www.thione.com)
The information provided by some clinical studies done in
Spain and Italy suggest that there is an important relationship
between antioxidants and chronic liver disease, specifically
hepatitis C.
Many sources believe that antioxidants are
important in the management of patients with viral hepatitis,
particularly hepatitis C. In a study, published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology:Volume 39(8)September 2005 pp 737-742, it was shown that in one of the tested parameters (eg, liver enzymes, HCV RNA levels, or liver biopsy score), a combination of antioxidants induced a favorable response in 48% of the patients. Normalization of liver enzymes occurred in 44% of patients who had elevated pretreatment ALT levels. ALT levels remained normal throughout follow-up period in 72.7%. A decrease in viral load (one log or more) was observed in 25% of the patients. Histologic improvement (2-point reduction in the HAI score) was noted in 36.1% of the patients. The SF-36 score improved in 58% of the patients throughout the course of the trial. Treatment was well tolerated by all patients. No major adverse reactions were noted.
Taking a look at the treatment programs used
by "survivors" of HCV (Naomi Judd, among many others) one
will see that antioxidants were invariably used in their health
regimens.
OUR HEPATITIS C REPORTS
The reports we offer list all the important
antioxidants used in treating hepatitis C, along with detailed
descriptions, suggested dosages, possible interactions with
other supplements, any clinical studies or research about
them, food sources of certain antioxidants, and testimonials
from hepatitis C survivors.
HEP C E-BOOKS
FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE
THE FIRST E-BOOKS ON THE WEB TO BE EXCLUSIVELY DEVOTED
TO NATURAL SOLUTIONS FOR HEP C. Ideal for interferon NON-RESPONDERS,
those on interferon seeking ADJUNCT THERAPY, those who seek
ALL NATURAL TREATMENT and those who had to stop interferon.
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