{"id":2282,"date":"2021-09-06T09:26:12","date_gmt":"2021-09-06T15:26:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.betternutrition.com\/?p=2282"},"modified":"2021-09-06T09:29:10","modified_gmt":"2021-09-06T15:29:10","slug":"hepatitis-c-supplements","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.betternutrition.com\/conditions-and-wellness\/general-health\/hepatitis-c-supplements\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Supplements for Hepatitis C"},"content":{"rendered":"

What do Gregg Allman, of the Allman Brothers Band, Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, and Pam Anderson of \u201cBaywatch\u201d fame have in common? They\u2019re all infected with the hepatitis C virus<\/a>. And while you might not be one of the other 5 million infected people in the U.S., chances are you know someone who is\u2014and that person may not know it because the symptoms of hepatitis C are often non-existent, or so mild as to be mistaken for something else.<\/p>\n

The first noticeable symptom is also the most common: fatigue. But it often doesn\u2019t come until years after the original infection. Other symptoms of hepatitis C are very similar to flu symptoms\u2014joint aches, muscle pain, loss of appetite, mild fever, and more fatigue\u2014which lead many people to dismiss their symptoms as something routine. On top of that, hepatitis C symptoms can ebb and flow and even disappear for a while, so it can be years before a proper diagnosis is made.<\/p>\n

Natural Treatment for Hepatitis C<\/h2>\n

Hepatitis C is a serious viral disease that can lead to permanent liver damage. And the conventional drug treatment is not particularly fun, nor always successful. Fortunately, there are a number of vitamins and herbs that can help. As a bonus, anything that helps with hepatitis C by definition supports the liver, so the supplement program outlined here can actually be used by anyone\u2014whether or not you have hepatitis C\u2014interested in improving overall liver health.<\/p>\n

The single best thing you can do if you\u2019ve got any form of liver disease: stop drinking. Completely. No kidding. Alcohol puts a strain on your liver that isn\u2019t so bad if it\u2019s healthy, but is lethal if it\u2019s not.<\/p>\n

You should also stop taking any products containing acetaminophen, which is the number one cause of emergency room visits for liver failure. Imagine the common scenario of drinking too much and taking Tylenol to \u201ctreat\u201d the hangover. If you\u2019ve got hepatitis C and you do that, you\u2019re essentially asking to be a statistic.<\/p>\n

I first learned about this natural treatment from Burt Berkson, MD, PhD<\/a>. In a published paper, he suggested a basic protocol of three supplements to protect the liver from free-radical damage, increase the levels of other fundamental antioxidants, and interfere with viral proliferation. This protocol is the core of the natural treatment for hepatitis C.<\/p>\n

Top 3 Supplements for Hepatitis C<\/h2>\n

1. Selenium<\/h3>\n

In January 2007, one of the most conservative publications in medicine, The Archives of Internal Medicine<\/em>, published an article<\/a> showing that daily selenium supplements appear to suppress the progression of the viral load in patients with HIV infection. It\u2019s also essential for those with hepatitis C. As Berkson told me, \u201cselenium acts as a birth control pill to the virus.\u201d<\/p>\n

2. Milk Thistle<\/h3>\n

The herb milk thistle is probably the premier liver nutrient. The active ingredient in milk thistle is silymarin, which is believed to be responsible for its medicinal qualities. Milk thistle has been used in Europe as a treatment for liver disease since the 16th century.<\/p>\n

3. Alpha-lipoic Acid<\/h3>\n

ALA is a powerful antioxidant that scavenges free radicals, protects cells from damage, and helps regenerate vitamins C and E. It\u2019s one of the most powerful liver nutrients available.<\/p>\n

How much liver supplement to take?<\/h3>\n

Essential:<\/p>\n