By Amanda Gardner
WebMD Feature
WebMD Archive
Dietary and herbal supplements can't cure hepatitis C, but many people take them to try to ease their symptoms or get relief from the side effects of treatment. Do they work? For most of these products, scientists don’t have a firm answer.
But even though powerful new drugs can cure hep C, there still may be a role for supplements, says Arti Prasad, MD, executive director of the University of New Mexico Center for Life.
"People will still be looking for other things because it's very hard treatment," she says. "There's a sense of empowerment when [people] get something for themselves versus something prescribed by a physician. [Supplements] may help in many ways."
You should always talk to your doctor before you take any vitamins or supplements. In some cases, these products can be harmful.
Milk Thistle
This is one of the hep C supplements that scientists have studied the most. The thought is that its active ingredient, silymarin, protects liver cells and lowers inflammation that can damage the liver. Studies on it have been mixed, though. One showed that silymarin did not lower the levels of an enzyme, called ALT, that spike when the liver is damaged. But another reported that people’s symptoms and quality of life got better when they took milk thistle.
Researchers haven’t done any large clinical trials to test the compound, but "there is some good evidence for milk thistle," Prasad says. "In multiple smaller studies, it has been shown to improve liver function." Check with your doctor first, though, before you start taking any.
Curcumin
This is a chemical in turmeric, the spice that gives many curries their flavor and yellow hue. It can help the body fight inflammation, viruses, and bacteria, which can be helpful to people with hepatitis C, Prasad says. It’s generally safe, but it can act as a blood thinner, so you shouldn’t use it if you're also taking anti-clotting drugs like warfarin.
Probiotics
"These are beneficial bacteria, like friendly germs, that help maintain the health of the gut and aid in digestion," Prasad says. If you have scar tissue and other damage to your liver, called cirrhosis, which is one of the more serious hep C complications, probiotics may help prevent infections and other problems. How? By restoring the balance of bacteria in your intestine.
source : Your Guide to Vitamins and Supplements for Hep C
