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SUBSTANCES
THAT ARE HARMFUL (OR POTENTIALLY HARMFUL) TO THE LIVER: HAZARDS FOR THOSE WITH HEPATITIS C VIRUS

There
are substances that are either known or suspected to be harmful
to the liver. They are either hepatotoxic (toxic to the liver)
or immunosuppressive (inhibit immune system function and ultimately
contribute to pathenogenesis-development- of HCV).
We used several sources to compile
what we hope is an extensive list (as close to being comprehensive
as possible in the context of an ever evolving body of information
that is currently becoming available). We would like to acknowledge
two very credible sources before proceeding, we encourage
you to read these books for their extensive and specialized
information on Hepatitis C:
The Hepatitis C Handbook by
Matthew Dolan www.hepchandbook.com
The Hepatitis C Help Book
by Misha Ruth Cohen ( www.docmisha.com) and Robert Gish.
We have categorized these into
potentially harmful FOODS, DRUGS: prescription, over-the-counter,
illegal, CHINESE HERBS & HERBAL PREPARATIONS, TOXIC HERBS,
CHEMICAL & ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS
FOODS TO AVOID OR REDUCE IF YOU HAVE HCV
The food recommendations are
based on a number of traditions including TCM (Traditional
Chinese Medicine), homeopathy, traditional Western, and Ayurvedic.
So this is a combination.
LET ME PREFACE THIS LIST BY SAYING: The List is entitled "Potentially Harmful to the Liver" and maybe I should add to it that this does not mean that it will severely damage your liver to partake of some of these things. However, these are things to be done in moderation where possible to promote your best liver health. I do not suggest that you avoid all of these items completely. There are certainly trade-offs worth making. Shelia told me, "I sure as hell do think we need whatever is necessary to maintain some quality of life," and I second this 100%.
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Additives
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Aflatoxins/peanuts
-
Bananas (homeopathic recommendation)
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Bread w/gluten allergy
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Bread (refined)
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Caffeine/Coffee
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Cheese
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Chocolate
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Citrus fruits (except lemon)
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Cocoa
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Curry (spice)
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Dairy products
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Eggs
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Fat
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Fried food
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Foods w/ colorings, additives
or chemicals
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Gluten (common allergen)
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Grapefruit
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High proteins
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Hot spices
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Hot sauces
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Junk food
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Margarine
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Meats (fatty,pork,beef, duck,
chicken)
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Meat (red)
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Milk
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Mustard
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Nuts (except almonds)
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Oranges
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Peanuts
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Peanut oil
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Pepper (spice)
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Pickles
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Polyunsaturated oils (Safflower,
sunflower, corn
linseed,walnut for example)
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Processed foods
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Refined foods
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Refined flour
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Refined oils
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Salt (reduce)
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Sugar
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Syrup
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Tomatoes
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Treacle
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Vinegar
HARMFUL (or potentially harmful) DRUGS FOR THOSE WITH HEPATITIS C:
PRESCRIPTION, OVER-THE-COUNTER, ILLEGAL
We
have listed only items that are from sources that make mention
of the real or potential danger of these drugs specifically
in relation to Hepatitis C and the liver. There may be debate
and controversy regarding the safety issue of some of these.
Points of view may vary according to various medical experts.
Please consult with your own doctor or trusted health care
professional.
-
Acebutolol
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Acetaminophen (Tylenol-do
not take in
combination with alcohol-very hazardous)
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ALCOHOL
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Adrenocortical steroids
-
Allopurinol
-
Alpha-methyldopa (Aldomet)
-
Amiodarone (Cordarone)
-
Amphetamines
-
Amoxicillin
-
Amyl Nitrate (severely toxic
to immune system,
stress on liver and cardiovascular)
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Anabolic steroids (may be
capable of causing
liver tumors)
-
Antidepressants
-
Antidepressant tricyclics
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Antithyroid drugs
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Atenolol
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Aspirin
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Barbiturates
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Benzodiazepines
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Birth Control Pills (oral
contraceptives)
-
Caffeine
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Carbamazapine (Atretol,Carbatrol)
-
Cigarettes
-
Chlorzoxazone (Parfon Forte
DSC, Paraflex,
Chlorzone Forte, Algisin)
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Cimetidine
-
Clavulanic acid
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Cocaine
-
Contraceptives
-
Corticosteroids
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Danazol (may be capable of
causing liver tumors)
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Dantrolene (Dantrium)
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Diclofenac ((Voltaren, Cataflam)
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Diltiazem
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Disprin
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Enflurane
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Ephedrine
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Ethambutol
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Ethanol
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Ethionamide
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Fluconazole of Ketoconazole
(Diflucan, Nizoral)
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Flutamide (Drogenil)
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Flurazepam
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Halothane
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Hydralazine (Apresoline,
Novo-Hylazin)
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Ibuprofen (Motrin
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Indomethacin
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Azathioprine (Imuran, 6 mercaptopurine
[6-MP])
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Illegal Drugs (and the adulterants
in them)
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Isoniazid (INH) (Laniazid,Nydrazid)
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Labetalol
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Long-acting Nicotinic Acid
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Leukotriene Synthase Inhibitors
( Zafirlukast,
Accolate, Zileuton, Zyflo)asthma medications
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Kenoconazole
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Maprotiline
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Marajuana, Hasish (carcinogenic,soporific)
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Methotrexate (Maxtrex)
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Methodone (lictus form contans
known liver
poisons, immunosuppressive effects)
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Metoprolol
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Mianserin
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Naproxen
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Nicotene
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Nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin)
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Para-aminosalicyclic acid
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Parcetamol
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Penicillins
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Perihexilene Maleate
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Phenelzine
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Phenobarbital
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Phenothiazines
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Phenylbutazone (Mapap, Marnal,
Lanatuss)
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Phenytoin (Ethotoin, Mephenytoin,
Phenytoin)
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Piroxicam
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Pravastatin, Fluvastatin,
Simavastatin, Lovastatin
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Prescribed stress management
medications
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Probenecid
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Prozac
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Pyrazinamide
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Quinidine (Cardoquin, Cin-Quin,
Duraquin)
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Quinine
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Ranitidine
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Rifampin (for TB)
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Salicylates
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Sleeping Pills
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Soma
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Sulfa medications (especially
Septra of Bactrim)
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Sulfonamides
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Sulindac
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Tacrine (Cognex)
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Tasmar (Tolcapone) for Parkinson's
disease
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Testosterone (may be capable
of causing liver
tumors)
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Tetracyclines
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Ticlid (Ticlopidine)
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Troglitzone (Rezulin)
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Valproic acid
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Verapamil
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Vitamin A (in doses greater
than 5000 Units a
day. Beta-Carotene is safe at all doses)
HERBS THAT MAY BE TOXIC TO THOSE WITH HCV
The Hepatitis C Helpbook By
Misha Ruth Cohen and Robert Gish, gives a useful comment
by Dr. Diehl, "Herbal medicines are generally safe-safer
than western pharmaceutical. There are certain plants that are
highly toxic. The most common examples are those that contain
alkaloids or that reportedly have triggered toxic reactions."
Our list is a compilation of
toxic herbs that are listed in these following publications:
The Hepatitis C Help Book by Misha Ruth Cohen and
Robert Gish, The Hepatitis C Handbook by Matthew
Dolan, Living With Hepatitis C: A Survivor's Guide
by Gregory T. Everson. Some are herbs that have been
documented to cause liver problems ranging from hepatitis
to liver failure. It is worth mentioning that some experts
list some of these herbs as "individually harmful" but can
be used appropriately in well-formulated herbal remedies.
Again, it is crucial to get the expert advise and supervision
of a qualified professional.
* Asfetida
* Atractylis Gummifera
* Azadirachza indica
* Bush tea
* Berberis vulgaris
* Calliepsis Laureola
* Cassia angustifolia (Senna)
* Chaparral (creosote bush, greasewood)
* Comfrey (internally)
* Corydalis
* Creosote bush
* Crotaiaria
* Crotalaria (Ye Bai He)
* Germander
* Gordolobo yerba tea
* Groundsel (senecio longilobus)
* Eupatorium
* Fragrant valerian
* Galericulata
* Gentian
* Germander
* Gordolobo yerba tea
* Greasewood
* Groundsel
* He Shou Wu
* Hedeoma pulegoides
* Heliotropium
* Hops
* Jin Bu Huan
* Kava-Kava (long term, seek advise)
* Larrea tridentata (Chaparrel bush, Creosote Bush
Greasewood)
* Lycopodium serratum (Jin Bu Huan)
* Ma-huang
* Margosa oil
* Mate tea
* Mentha pulegoides
* Mistletoe
* Pennyroyal (Squamint) oil
* Saw palmetto
* Sassafras albidum (Sassafrass)
* Scuteileria (Skullcap)
* Senicio species
* Skullcap
* Squamint
* Stephania
* Symphytum officinale (Comfrey)
* Teucrium Chamaedrys (Germander [mint family])
* Tusilago Farfara (peppermint)
* Valeriana officinalis (Valerian, Asfetida, Hops
Genetian)
* Viscum alba
* Yohimbe
Good advise from Matthew Dolan:"
Prescribing herbs correctly requires skill and experience.
Even experienced herbalists avoid prescribing herbs for themselves.
It is therefore not a good idea for patients to go out and
buy a selection of...herbs...and take them at will. Herbs
can have unpredictable effects, particularly if taken in combination.
It is important to consult a practitioner for formulae to
suit you."
CHINESE/ASIAN HERBS FOR THOSE WITH HCV TO AVOID
The Hepatitis C Helpbook lists
Common Toxic Ingredients Found in Asian Patent Medicines:
* Aconite or Aconitum: causes paralysis and death if not highly
processed before use
* Acorus: causes convulsions and death
* Borax: triggers severe kidney damage
* Borneol: trigger internal bleeding and death
* Cinnabar or calomel: a mercury compound
* Litharge and mimium: contain lead oxide
* Myiabris: can trigger convulsions, vomiting and
death
* Orpiment or realgar: contains arsenic
* Scorpion or buthus: causes paralysis of the
heart and death
* strychnos nux vomica or semen strychni:
strychnine-containing seeds cause respiratory
failure and death
* Toad secretion bufonis: can paralyze heart
muscle and lungs
There are certain Chinese herbal
formulas and preparations that are reportedly hazardous:
Jin
Bu Huan
Niu Huang Jie Du Pian
Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan
Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Shosaikoto-Japanese name)
According to Matthew Dolan, certain
herbs need to be prepared in precise ways. Individual Chinese
herbs to be avoided:
*
Cao Wu
* Datura Straemonium
* Fu Zi
* (Guan) Fang Ji
* (Guan) Mu Tong
* Hei Zi
* He Shou Wu
* Ma Dou Ling
* Ma Huang
* Ma Qian Zi
* Mu Tong (aristolochia)
* Rhus Toxicodedron
* (Shui) Ban Xia
* Wu Tou
* Ying Su Ke
* Zhu Sha
CHEMICAL/ ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS TO AVOID IF YOU HAVE HCV
*
Benzene
* Carbon monoxide
* Carbon tetrachloride (can inhibit the action
of p450 enzymes and therefore lead to greater
probability of aldehydes building up)
* Chlorine (in tap water)
* Dioxin (found in some herbicides)
* Dish washing liquid residue (contains solvents
and detergents- always rinse thoroughly when
washing dishes)
* Dry cleaning fluids
* Exhaust fumes
* Fluoride ( in tap water)
* Fluorine
* Organophosphorous pesticides
* Paints
* Petroleum based chemicals
* Radiation (including x-rays and long-term exposure to VDU emissions)
* Solvents
CONCLUSION
We have done our best to include
all items that are POTENTIALLY dangerous for the liver. To
find out more details or explanations please consult the appropriate
sources of information or your health care practitioner.
If we have not included an item
you think should be included please send us this info by clicking
FEEDBACK or by e-mail:
getbetter@healthyhepper.com.
Please include why and what source you got this information
from. Thank you.
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