LymeNet Flash: Grapefruit Seed Extract & the liver

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»	LymeNet Flash » Questions and Discussion » Medical Questions » Grapefruit Seed Extract & the liver

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Topic: Grapefruit Seed Extract & the liver

landerss
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 17732

posted

Do any of you know if grapefruit seed extract, like grapefruit juice, can be problematic for the liver?

I know that grapefruit juice is processed via the P450 pathway and that it can interact with a lot of meds. But I can't find any definitive answers regarding GSE...

I am wondering because, after 3 weeks on GSE and working up to 12 drops twice daily, I am having some slight pains around my mid right flank and back, the same place that periodically aches when I take Diflucan for a few weeks. Other than that, I haven't noticed much in the way of a herx or improvement.

Thanks for any insight!

--------------------
Increasingly ill over past 10 yrs; treating since October '08.

Posts: 180 | From Philadelphia, PA | Registered: Oct 2008 | IP: Logged |

ninjaphire
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 18234

posted

I do know that the dieoff from GSE can stress your liver.

Silymarin helped me with the resulting herxes.

Posts: 330 | From Colorado, USA | Registered: Nov 2008 | IP: Logged |

landerss
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 17732

posted

Thanks ninjaphire - dieoff would be a positive reason for the discomfort!

Today, in fact, I started feeling more of what seems like a herx: stronger headache, fatigue, feeling out of it. I take lots of liver support - milk thistle, schizandra, NAC, beta carotene, among others. Maybe I need to reduce my dose a bit...

--------------------
Increasingly ill over past 10 yrs; treating since October '08.

Posts: 180 | From Philadelphia, PA | Registered: Oct 2008 | IP: Logged |

bncrump
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 20374

posted

I am no dr or expert but my nutritionist, that works with my lyme dr, told me that GSE messes with the detox pathways of the liver and that it can be problematic when taking liver-stressing abx as well.

I stopped taking it daily but still take it once a week (10 drops/twice a day) on the weekends. Helps me with yeast issues. I alternate that OLE and Oil of Oregano.

Just thought I'd share what she told me...

Posts: 114 | From Atlanta, GA | Registered: May 2009 | IP: Logged |

ninjaphire
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 18234

posted

quote:
Originally posted by landerss:
Today, in fact, I started feeling more of what seems like a herx: stronger headache, fatigue, feeling out of it. I take lots of liver support - milk thistle, schizandra, NAC, beta carotene, among others. Maybe I need to reduce my dose a bit...

Or you could pulse your dose. I take GSE on weekends, and amoxi on weekdays.
(With other abx)

Posts: 330 | From Colorado, USA | Registered: Nov 2008 | IP: Logged |

landerss
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 17732

posted

bncrump, that's really affirming to hear; I was wondering why I was feeling so toxic on GSE. I have had problems with Diflucan and Rifampin in the past, and my experience on GSE was feeling similarly.

The pulsing/alternating ideas are great - that's what I'm going to do. I already take Oregano Oil and OLE daily - and taking GSE just on weekends sounds like a good plan.

You guys are awesome!

Lynne

--------------------
Increasingly ill over past 10 yrs; treating since October '08.

Posts: 180 | From Philadelphia, PA | Registered: Oct 2008 | IP: Logged |

pas
Member
Member # 22416

posted

Hi Lynne,

I've had the same question about grapefruit juice vs. GSE.

Are any of your meds contraindicated with grapefruit juice?

I've been wanting to try GSE for a long time but haven't because grapefruit juice is contraindicated with some of my meds.

Not sure if it would cause pain or just decrease the effectiveness of meds. That's a question for the doc for sure!

That said, I've had inflammation of my liver before (and pain) without elevated enzymes...hmm. But when I switched meds, the pain decreased.

Let us know if you find out more info about this!

Posts: 95 | From Maryland | Registered: Sep 2009 | IP: Logged |

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