posted
I was in the process of doing a liver flush yesterday and then decided to stop as I read somewhere that it could be dangerous as the stones may get stuck.
Besides, my issue is elevated ast alt likely caused by prolonged abx.
Taking milk thistle and-Acetyl Cysteine
Do I need to bother with a flush or will milk thistle and nac to the trick ?
My treatment is on hold until I get my liver markers back on track
-------------------- Dx 3/2008 Pos. WB and Bart- igenex Levequin 500 mg March 2008 Amox 6000 mg - May 2008 Doxy 400 mg - June - oct Biaxin and Flagly 1000 each, oct-dec Zitro, Malarone and Flagly Jan - feb Remission for 6 months Relapse Sept 2009 zithro/flagyl Posts: 130 | From canada | Registered: Mar 2008
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feelfit
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12770
posted
Hey Tony,
Milk thistle, NAC are both good for the liver. I have never done a flush. Hope that your numbers go back to normal soon.
Feelfit
Posts: 3975 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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Personally, I hate the idea of a liver flush. It's not a car. Liver support is vital, but a "flush" can just be far too hard - and some are way too much oil for any liver to handle.
If one has gallstones, there are some other wonderful things, "Stonebreaker" is just one herb that works well. Rhubarb, too.
I'll post some things about the liver and come back with the gallbladder stuff.
==============
From a previous post I compiled a while back:
I don't like the idea of a cleanse or a flush - or the action or event of a "detox" but, rather, on-going support so the liver will do it's own best work on its own timetable.
To speed it up can be dangerous but to offer nutrients so it can work better is the idea. The liver does so much more than just detox - so a full support is the idea.
Still, for our purposes, especially when taking meds that can damage the liver, protection is vital. Milk thistle is one of the best protecters, but there are many others.
I think some of the detox teas can be too harsh but, sometimes, they just use the name and it is more of a support. It's important to read as much as you can about the liver and how it works.
Diet is first big help - avoiding bad fats and processed foods and eating enough veggies for the body to have enough bulk to detox naturally.
Here are some articles with ideas beyond milk thistle:
. . . Individual variations in our cytochrome P40 enzymes help to demystify why there are so many variations in how we respond to drugs and herbs. . . .
- Full chapter at link above.
===================
There are hundreds of herbs that can help liver function. A couple dozen are discussed here:
The important thing to remember is that the liver is a hot (metabolically active) organ, and so tends to get congested and inflamed.
. . .
Protection
Turmeric root, wheat sprouts, schisandra berries, amla fruit, beet root and milk thistle seed are among the major sources of protective anti-oxidants for the liver cells, as are fruits that contain flavonoids, especially citrus fruits.
These should be used to prevent development of inflammatory disease, or for damage protection as in the case of persons taking strong chemical drugs or undergoing chemotherapy.
Deficiency
The liver can become weakened and deficient. If this is not corrected, it can lead to liver atrophy and depletion of glycogen stores, even hepatitis. Signs include fatigue, low blood pressure, hypoglycemia, dry eyes, headache, heat symptoms and irritability . . . .
Heat and Inflammation
To remove excess liver inflammation with heat signs or toxins . . . .
. . .
Pain
If there is liver inflammation with signs of pain and tension, use herbs that calm the liver and move the blood . . . .
. . .
- Full chapter at link above.
From: The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook (Tillotson, et.al) - you an also find this at Amazon.
If milk thistle is not on your plan, NAC might be considered:
This, from a protocol for Chlamydia Pneumonia (Cpn) which is a similar chronic stealth infection. This treatment protocol is also similar to that of chronic lyme.
This is what one of the protocol authors says about the power of NAC to help protet the liver:
. . . "Surprisingly, the only anti-chlamydial agent that did not cause hepatitis in some patients was NAC. In fact, NAC is recognized as being protective.
See attached references.
My conclusion is that NAC should be the first agent in an anti-chlamydial regimen and should be a constant part of the therapy for this protective effect, not to mention it's effect against elementary bodies.
In addition to information Terry has posted there, she says:
There is a page on lymeinfo.net about methylation but it just covers the theory behind the simplified protocol and not really methylation cycle issues in general.
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