[PBC Digest] Dr. Cabot answers the PBCers questions 1-6

[Guest guest]

I'm passing this on--it's long, but interesting.

> Thought some of this interesting....for all liver diseases

>

>

> Subject: [PBC Digest] Dr. Cabot answers the PBCers questions 1-6

> Date: Fri, 23 Jun 2000 11:44:11 EDT

> From: PBCDigest@...

> Reply-To: PBC_Digest-owneregroups

> To: PBC_Digestegroups

>

> Cabot, MD

> Media Doctor & Author

> Best selling books: Women's Health & Liver Cleansing Diet

> Australia

>

> Question 1

> I have become aware of the increasing diseases that seem to be autoimmune

> related. What is the reason for so many of them cropping up? Is it our

> environment, chemicals, water???? I am very concerned about this.

>

> Answer 1

> Auto-immune diseases are increasing and researchers are asking themselves

> why? Generally speaking it is due to the increased assaults upon our liver &

> immune system from the food chain & modern day environment. Foreign

> substances such as pesticides, petrochemicals, solvents, antibiotics,

> synthetic steroid hormones, silicon & artificial sweeteners overload the

> detoxification pathways of the liver and thus escape the liver's

> detoxification systems and filter. This enables these foreign substances to

> escape from the liver & get deeper in to the systemic circulation, causing

> them to accumulate in the body cells & fatty tissues. These foreign

> substances become part of our cells & fatty tissues & can be described as

> aliens in cellular society. Unfortunately they are not benign, as the cells

> of the immune system do not recognise them as familiar. Thus the immune

> system mounts a defensive inflammatory reaction with the aim of destroying

> them, but because they have become part of our cells, the attack also

> damages our cells. The immune system produces inflammatory chemicals such

> as leukotrienes and prostaglandins, as well as anti-body missiles, to attack

> the foreign chemicals. Thus we have the genesis of chronic inflammation in

> our cells which can lead to the broad spectrum of auto-immune diseases.

> Chronic infections with viruses and bacteria can also sensitise the immune

> system and these things are more prevalent today with international travel,

> drug abuse and antibiotic resistance.

> In auto-immune diseases it is imperative to " calm down the immune system " ,

> so that it is not in a hyper-stimulated state. We can do this by improving

> the function of the liver's detoxification & filtering systems, so that the

> workload of the immune system is decreased. This is achieved through dietary

> modification and natural liver tonics -- see my Healthy Liver & Bowel Book

> by Dr Cabot MD

> One can also use natural anti-inflammatory nutrients such as selenium,

> essential fatty acids, vitamin C & vitamin E. Lipoic acid and organic

> sulfur can also reduce inflammation.

>

> Question 2

> Do you have any info on Olive Leaf Extract (D-Lenolate)?

> I understand that is very good for the immune system. Will it have any

> interaction with URSO?

>

> Answer 2

> The active principle of Olive leaf extract is called oleuropein. This has

> broad spectrum anti-microbial properties with a bacteriostatic effect

> against bacteria, viruses, parasites & fungal micro-organisms -- Reference:

> see " Nature's Antibiotic -- Olive Leaf Extract -- by Dr Morton

> (Kensington Books). Olive Leaf extract is useful for those patients with

> chronic resistant infections.

> Olive leaf extract will not interact with URSO

>

> Question 3

> Do you feel RN's working in the intensive care unit would have a higher

> risk of contacting infections such as MRSA or herpes?

>

> Answer 3

> RN's in this situation working with immuno-compromised patients do run a

> slightly higher risk of MRSA, hepatitis & herpes. Thus they need to take

> extra care of their immune system & adopt high standards of hygeine. Washing

> the skin with tea tree oil soap can help, as well as anti-septic soaps.

> Suitable vaccinations against hep B & A are important. Adequate intake of

> vitmain C and zinc is important.

>

> Question 4

> I am currently reading " Stop Depression Now " by Brown, M.D., and

> Teodoro Bottiglieri, Ph.D. While the book focuses mostly on depression,

> it does go into some detail about SAM-e being beneficial for liver

> disease. However, it also states that SAM-e boosts the immune system.

> It has been my understanding that PBCers should refrain from

> anything that would boost the immune system, such as echanesea. Is this

> true?

>

> Answer 4

> SAM -e can be beneficial with patients with liver inflammation & overloaded

> detoxification pathways. Livatone Plus is also specific for this.

>

> Question 5

> I have PBC, stage 2. Are there any herbs that those with PBC should stay

> away from?

>

> Answer 5

>

> It is safer to avoid the herb Echinacea if you have chronic inflammation or

> auto-immune diseases. This is because Echinacea is an immune stimulant, and

> extra stimulation of the already hyperstimulated immune system, can lead to

> more inflammation. Some Chinese herbs are also immune stimulants, so please

> do not take these, without checking with your own doctor.

>

> Question 6

> My doctor has not told me anything to stay away from. What things should I

> avoid to cause further damage to my liver? Food, drink, lifestyle, etc.?

>

> Answer 6

>

> I have found in my own patients with inflammatory liver diseases that

> certain foods should be avoided.

> I recommend that you avoid the following ---

> All dairy products -- see www.notmilk.com

> Margarine & transfatty acids

> Deep fried foods

> Preserved meats -- such as bacon, ham, sausage, pizza meats, salami,

> corned beef, delicatessen meats, smoked meats

> Fatty meats

> aspartame

> excess or regular alcohol

>

> For information on the best foods for the liver, as well as a Shopping

> List for " Liver Lovers " , see my book called " The Healthy Liver & Bowel

> Book "

>

> One great tip is to take raw vegetable juices every day -- carrot, beet,

> celery, apple, with a dash of raw garlic, ginger & horseradish

>

> Love Your Liver & Live Longer

> >From Dr Cabot MD

>

> http://pbcers.org

>

> Don't take your excess baggage to Heaven.

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