Alpha Lipoic Acid good for those with Hepatitis C

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Alpha Lipoic Acid good for those with Hepatitis C

Wed May 6, 2009 7:14 pm (PDT)

ALPHA LIPOIC ACID & HCV

taken from: http://www.healthyhepper.com/sample2antioxidant.htm

Many sources list Alpha Lipoic Acid as the most powerful anti-oxidant

ever discovered. When looking around at various protocols for hepatitis

C, you will find that alpha-lipoic acid is considered by many an

important part of the health regimen for patients with HCV. It is

considered an important and versatile anti-oxidant that enhances the

functions of vitamins C and E and glutathione. Alpha lipoic acid also

helps turn glucose into energy. For these reasons many people with

liver conditions, especially HCV, take it as a staple part of their

" treatment programs " .

Many doctors who treat patients with HCV prescribe this anti-oxidant,

especially those in the natural healing community, although not limited

to the natural healing community.

The functions of alpha lipoic acid is to neutralize free radicals in

the body by enhancing the anti-oxidant functions of vitamins C and E

and glutathione. According to Lloyd (hepatitis C survivor,

researcher and author), ALA is " used in Europe to restore liver health

and confer protective benefits against oxidative processes involved in

degenerative diseases. "

Another interesting piece of information about this substance is found

in his book Triumph Over Hepatitis C. He states that it regenerates

glutathione, giving cells a " double dose of anti-oxidant protection " .

Further he writes, " It is also easily absorbed when taken orally, and

once inside cells is quickly converted to its most potent form,

dihydrolipoic acid, an even more potent free-radical neutralizer than

ALA. Because both alpha-lipoic acid and dihydrolipoic acid are

antioxidants, their combined actions give them greater anti-oxidant

potency than any other natural anti-oxidant now known. "

Lloyd , claims that he has rid his body of this virus through

natural healing therapies and that there are no signs of the virus in

his system after his recovery. Among other supplements, he took alpha

lipoic acid everyday and suggests it was a " vital " in his fight against

hepatitis C.

Other points he made in its favor are: Ester Packer, professor of

molecular biology at UC Berkley, says it is the most important

anti-oxidant ever discovered; and that scientists have found that it

can inhibit replication of HCV-1 and other viruses through its ability

to bind directly to DNA.

A holistic physician, Stoff, M.D., director of IntegaMed in

Tucson, AZ, says hepatitis C is a treatable and often reversible

condition. He gives detailed description of a case in which it was

cured with natural remedies and supplements which can be found on the alternativemedicine.com

website. He lists alpha lipoic acid as one of the supplements that

should be taken. He says, " it is always useful in treating chronic

liver inflammation " . According to Dr. Stoff ALA occurs naturally in

potatoes, carrots, yams, sweet potatoes. He reinforces that when given

as a supplement it can increase the body's production of glutatione, an

enzyme that protects the cells from damage by harmful free-radicals.

Overall it is considered to be a very important anti-oxidant and very important in treating chronic inflammation of the liver.

Dosage: Alpha-lipoic acid can be purchased in doses of 30 - 100 mg

tablets. According to The University of land Medical Center there

are no established recommended doses; however they list 20-50mg per day

for general (no disease) antioxidant support. A protocol developed and

used by Dr. Berkson for Hepatitis C includes 600mg per day of Alpha

Lipoic.

learn more at: http://www.healthyhepper.com/information.htm