HEALTHYHEPPER.COM
Hepatitis C Alternative Medicine Treatment Options
|
| © 2004
HealthyHepper.com. All rights reserved.
Contact WEBMASTER |
|
|
|
By joining Find A Cure Panel for people with Hepatitis, you will be empowered to share your opinions in vital research to help find a cure. What's more, for each survey you complete a minimum donation of $25 is made directly to Hepatitis Education And Liver Support on your behalf.
 |
|
|
|
Omega Essential Fatty Acids for Hepatitis C
What are Omega fatty acids? Omega fatty acids may be beneficial in protecting and supporting the liver and also in reducing long-term complications of liver injury due to fibrosis and cirrhosis. Fatty acids are straight chain hydrocarbons possessing a carboxyl (COOH) group at one end. Essential fatty acids, or EFAs, are fatty acids involved in biological processes that are not made by humans and therefore must be obtained from the diet. There are two families of Essential Fatty Acids: omega-3s and omega-6s.
Some of the biological processes EFAs are involved in-
The studies listed below note beneficial effects for the liver and can be found by their PMID # at the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health website: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=PubMed
Considering our data of blunted histologic hepatotoxicity with omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, we hypothesize that this may be a method of reducing long-term complications of liver injury secondary to diseases of cholestasis such as biliary atresia, namely fibrosis and cirrhosis.
Our results suggested that flax and pumpkin seed mixture rich in omega-3 and omega-6 had anti-atherogenic and heptoprotective effects which were probably mediated by unsaturated fatty acids present in seed mixture.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) omega-3 may be associated with an increased efficacy of interferon-based therapies and an antifibrogenic effect in obese individuals with Chronic Hepatitis C.
Radiation-induced deficits in body and organ weight were significantly reduced or prevented in flaxseed oil pretreated mice. The protection afforded by flaxseed oil may be attributed to the constituents of the oil, which include omega-3 essential fatty acids and phytoestrogenic lignans, which appear to play an important role in free radical scavenging and singlet oxygen quenching.
The results of this study offer evidence for an inflammation dampening effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the context of liver inflammation.
Concurrent administration of omega-3 fatty acids (OFAs) reversed IFNalpha-induced hypertriglyceridaemia in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
Eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, the major bioactive components of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), are not efficiently synthesized in humans and should therefore be obtained directly from the diet, particularly by consuming fish. Docosahexaenoic acid deficiency is associated with dysfunctions of neuronal membrane stability and transmission of serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine, which might connect to the aetiology of mood and cognitive dysfunction of depression. Likewise, eicosapentaenoic acid is important in balancing the immune function and physical health by reducing membrane arachidonic acid (an n-6 PUFA) and prostaglandin E(2) synthesis, which might be linked to the somatic manifestations and physical comorbidity in depression. The role of n-3 PUFAs in immunity and mood function supports the promising hypothesis of psychoneuroimmunology of depression and provides an excellent interface between 'mind' and 'body'. Conclusion on Usefulness of Omega Essential Fatty Acids for Hepatitis C:
Though omega EFAs are not a cure for hepatitis and should not be used as a sole treatment, I was really surprised how much research there is showing how beneficial they are. Inflammation drives the pathology of hep c. AST and ALT levels are actually indicators of inflammation in the liver. Because Omega 3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory in nature, it makes sense that they should be helpful to those with Hepatitis C. There is also a clinical trial currently underway to determine if omegas are also useful in conjunction with conventioal drugs. "The Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Omacor@) on the Response Rate to Antiviral Therapy in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C Infection" http://clinicaltrialsfeeds.org/clinical-trials/show/NCT00547716 Omega Fatty Acid Food Sources: Some of the food sources of omega 3s and omega 6s are fish and shellfish, flaxseed (linseed), hemp oil, soya oil, canola (rapeseed) oil, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, leafy vegetables, and walnuts. NOTE: The absorption of essential fatty acids is much greater from fish rather than plant sources. DISCLAIMER: The information on this site is not intended to treat, cure, or prevent any condition or disease. Please consult with your own physician or health care practitioner regarding the suggestions and recommendations made on this website or in our reports. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS SPEAK WITH A PRACTITIONER BEFORE TAKING ANY DIETARY, NUTRITIONAL, HERBAL OR HOMEOPATHIC SUPPLEMENT, OR BEGINNING ANY THERAPY. CLICK HERE to get more free information on hepatitis complimentary and alternative treatments.
|
