The
following is an excerpt from the above Hepatitis C E-book
Vitamin
C for those with Hepatitis C
VITAMIN
C See also: Glutathione.
Vitamin
C is a very important and powerful antioxidant and great for those with Hepatitis C Virus(HCV). According to James
Balch, MD., is a more potent free-radical scavenger when used
in conjunction with the bioflavanoid hesperidin.
Michael
Murray, N.D. writes about vitamin C and bioflavanoids, “Taking
vitamin C with bioflavanoids may offer benefits in absorption, but
only if the product contains bioflavanoids at a meaningful level.
When the amount of citrus bioflavanoids is just window dressing, there
is no real increase in absorption. However, if the level of bioflavanoids
is equal to or greater than the level of vitamin C, then absorption
is enhanced.”
Vitamin
C assumes a critical role in the body’s defense against free-radicals.
Put simply free-radicals are what causes damage to our cells and body
tissues, causing us to age or causing degenerative diseases. Vitamins
C and E and glutathione are what our body uses to fight off free radical
damage.
Deficiency
of intracellular glutathione has been identified in a number of clinical
conditions: cancer, AIDS and alcohol induced liver disease, and sometimes in those with Hepatitis C. (1) Murray
writes about several studies on this topic and concludes, “The results
indicate that vitamin C can decrease cellular damage in patients with
hereditary glutathione deficiency and is more effective and less expensive
than NAC (a supplement precursor to glutathione).” Vitamin C is generally considered by most doctors to be
beneficial to hepatitis C. Just about every protocol for Hepatitis C that I have ever seen involves taking significant amounts of vitamin C.
The doses range from 13 grams a day (taken orally) down to about 3
grams. 1 gram is equal to 1000 milligrams. I have read in Lloyd Wright’s book, Triumph Over Hepatitis C of
doctors treating hepatitis C with 50,000 milligram injections in combination
with alpha lipoic acid.
Acute
viral Hepatitis C can be treated with vitamin C. I had the acute hepatitis C- only about 15% of those
with HCV get the acute illness which involves jaundice, gray stools,
dark urine, intense itching, etc. I agree with
this from experience; vitamin C brought my Hepatitis C symptoms under control.
On
this topic of vitamin C and the acute hepatitis, The Encyclopedia
of Natural Medicine writes, “ According to Robert Cathcart,
M.D., acute hepatitis is one of the easiest diseases to cure using
vitamin C. Dr. Cathcart demonstrated that high doses of vitamin C
(40 to 100 grams orally or intravenously) were able to greatly diminish
acute hepatitis in two to four days. He showed clearing of jaundice
within six days.
Here is one more piece of GOOD NEWS for those with acute hepatitis C,"Symptomatic Hepatitis C patients with jaundice have a higher likelihood of spontaneous viral clearance than do asymptomatic patients, and thus should be monitored for at least 12 weeks before initiating antiviral therapy. By contrast, asymptomatic patients have a much lower chance of spontaneous clearance, and might benefit from early antiviral therapy."(Lancet. 2008 Jul 26;372(9635):321-32.)
Another
study showed that two grams or more of vitamin C per day was able
to prevent hepatitis B in hospitalized patients.” There are many reports
on vitamin C’s ability as an immune stimulant and as an anti-viral
agent. Consider the following interesting statements by various experts
in the field:
Two-time
Nobel Laureate Linus Pauling, Ph.D. showed “conclusively” that
vitamin C stimulates the immune system and offers great protection
against many illnesses.(7) “Supplementation with vitamin C has been
shown to help fight infections from virtually all pathogens,” writes
Dr. Pizzorno in his book, Total Wellness. “Researchers
have discovered that macrophages(impotent components of the immune
system, large cells that circulate throughout the body ‘eating’ viruses
and bacteria)utilize a large amount of vitamin C to accomplish their
many responsibilities.
The
vitamin C content in a macrophage cell can reach 40 times higher than
the vitamin C content in blood... Researchers believe this might lead
to an exhaustion of their free-radical-scavenging capacity.”(7)
The
claim is the vitamin C helps the macrophage. “Vitamin C cools Toxic
heat... vitamin C appears to work as an immune enhancer and an antioxidant
which fights the ravages of free radical that have been linked with
heart disease and cancer.(6) “In addition to its role as an anti-oxidant,
vitamin c detoxifies many harmful substances and plays a key role
in immunity. It increases the synthesis of interferon, a natural antiviral
substance produced by the body, and stimulates the activity of certain
key immune cells.” (3) “Some doctors, notably Linus Pauling and Robert
Cathcart, have advocated vitamin C as a powerful therapy in itself,
as well as being an essential nutrient for good health (megadoses
of vitamin C has previously been used to treat seriously ill cancer
patients with variable results). Cathcart has suggested the megadoses
of vitamin C could have powerful antiviral qualities that might be
sufficient help HIV patients... It is advocated by nutritionists aiming
for an elimination effect (with hepatitis C).” (5)
Vitamin C increases the production of infection-fighting white blood cells and antibodies and increases levels of interferon, the antibody that coats cell surfaces, preventing the entry of viruses. Additionally, studies show those whose diets are higher in vitamin C have lower rates of colon, prostate, and breast cancer.
List of cautions and advise for those with HCV when taking vitamin C:
Because
the human body can neither manufacture nor store vitamin C, our requirements
must be met daily from dietary sources (fruit, vegetables, supplements).
In order to achieve an anti-viral effect, it is necessary to take
other nutrients, such as zinc, manganese, selenium, and vitamins A,
B, and E. Some sources believe that magnesium ascorbate or calcium
ascorbate, rather than ascorbic acid, are advisable because these
forms are more easily assimilated and that chelated forms are better
absorbed.
Many
experts also believe that it is best taken in a “buffered” pH neutral
form with bioflavanoids.
High
doses of vitamin C may result in increased iron uptake from the bowel,
and may therefore be hazardous for patients with high levels of iron
in liver cells. “Bowel tolerance” is referred to often when you read
about suggested dosages. It means that the patient takes as much vitamin
C as he or she can before developing diarrhea. Dr. Cathcart suggested
that the higher the tolerance the greater the need. (5)
If you have developed “Spleen Qi Deficiency” with diarrhea or loose
stools, a common syndrome associated with HCV, do not take C as a
supplement. (6)
High
doses of vitamin C may cause kidney stones in those who have a predisposition
to the disorder.(6) Vitamin C can also erode tooth enamel, so rinse
your mouth with clear water after you have taken powdered vitamin
C. (6)
If
you have been taking high doses of vitamin C, reduce your dosage gradually.
Although the existence of “rebound scurvy” is controversial, it is
a possibility that sudden cessation of high dosage vitamin C intake
can result in “rebound scurvy”. (1) There are know known adverse interactions
with vitamin C and any drug.
Vitamin
C is considered extremely safe according to most sources. Vitamin
C is thought to work “synergistically” with vitamin E, “New evidence
indicates that vitamin C works synergistically with vitamin E -- that
is, when these vitamins work together, they have greater effect than
when they separately...These vitamins reinforce and extend each other’s
antioxidant activity.”(3) Vitamin C is intricately involved and synergistically
involved with vitamin E, beta-carotene, and selenium. (1)
The above was a sample from our E-Book: Vital Nutrients Your Liver MUST Have.
HEPATITIS C E-BOOKS
Our e-books consistently include the food sources of nutritional supplements,
minerals, vitamins, antioxidants etc.
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