Re: high ferritin levels

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test the well water 1st and any vitamins that you take.

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[Guest guest]

test the well water 1st and any vitamins that you take.

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HOW HIGH? If its too high, you can have phlebotomies where they draw off blood and pitch it,, , watch the amount of vitamin C you take as that helps 'any' iron be assimilated more easily... Joan <zolette9@...> wrote: Hi! Does anyone know how I can get my iron levels down? They came back high. The Dr. asked if I ate a lot of red meat. I'm practicially a vegetarian.I drink well water and was wondering about that as it has never been tested. When I mentioned that as a possible source, she said "What does that have to do with anything." I would think A LOT. Zolette ( watching the crokus come up in NH) Blab-away for as little as 1¢/min. Make PC-to-Phone Calls using Messenger with Voice. Jackie

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HOW HIGH? If its too high, you can have phlebotomies where they draw off blood and pitch it,, , watch the amount of vitamin C you take as that helps 'any' iron be assimilated more easily... Joan <zolette9@...> wrote: Hi! Does anyone know how I can get my iron levels down? They came back high. The Dr. asked if I ate a lot of red meat. I'm practicially a vegetarian.I drink well water and was wondering about that as it has never been tested. When I mentioned that as a possible source, she said "What does that have to do with anything." I would think A LOT. Zolette ( watching the crokus come up in NH) Blab-away for as little as 1¢/min. Make PC-to-Phone Calls using Messenger with Voice. Jackie

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I suffer from iron overload myself . It is caused by an impaired liver , and if the high iron levels arent brought down it can cause further damage to the liver . It can also deposit itself into the heart , and kidneys damaging them . The only way to reduce the iron is my having phlebotomies . They take about 500cc of blood from you once a week until the iron is in the normal ranges ....

High ferritin levels

Hi! Does anyone know how I can get my iron levels down? They came back high. The Dr. asked if I ate a lot of red meat. I'm practicially a vegetarian.I drink well water and was wondering about that as it has never been tested. When I mentioned that as a possible source, she said "What does that have to do with anything." I would think A LOT.

Zolette ( watching the crokus come up in NH)

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Supplements and herbs Milk thistle Silymarin gel-caps. Take 120 mg 3 times daily.Prevents liver damage; stops iron from promoting atherosclerosis.Milk thistle may cause mild diarrhea. If this occurs, decrease the dose or stop taking it. What else you can do To reduce iron intake, limit servings of meat, fish, and poultry to one per day, and do not eat organ meats at all. Heme iron, the kind of iron found in meat, not only contributes to iron overload disease, but also increases the risk of heart attack. Consult an alternative health-care practitioner about using chelation therapy to supplement phlebotomy. Note that chelation

therapy removes iron from circulation much more slowly than phlebotomy does. The principal medical treatment for iron overload is a modern update on the traditional use of leeches-phlebotomy. The standard medical treatment for hemachromatosis is to remove 1/2 to 1 pint (250 to 500 milliliters) of blood every week until iron levels return to normal. People with hemachromatosis typically have 25 grams (25,000 milligrams) of excess iron in their systems. Each phlebotomy session removes approximately 250 milligrams of iron, so about one hundred sessions are typically required. Milk thistle (silymarin) is a useful adjunct to phlebotomy and a low-iron diet. It helps the liver to reduce its iron load in a slow, reliable fashion, and helps to prevent fibrosis of the liver. Silymarin should relieve some symptoms within the first two or three days of use.

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[Guest guest]

hey tim,

i am about 11 weeks pregnant do you know if it's safe for me to take milk thystle and silymarin?

corrie

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Milk thistle should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women.As far as ive seen it is not safe,but sam -e is very safe and will do alot of other things i will post sam-e info if you like

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I would strongly advise against taking anything unless approved of by your doctor !!! Many relatively safe medications can be teratrogenic( cancers or birth defects) in fetuses . We on staff here DO NOT THINK ANY PATIENT WITH HEP C SHOULD TAKE ANY DRUG OR SUPPLEMENT WITHOUT CONSULTING A DOCTOR FIRST !!!!!!!!! Especially if your pregnant .....

Re: High ferritin levels

hey tim, i am about 11 weeks pregnant do you know if it's safe for me to take milk thystle and silymarin?corrie

[Guest guest]

your right i did mean to ad that im sorry,but that is true you need to ask,i hope your doctor is not anti herbs,funny thing herbs are the same as drugs they give i took tetracyclein for 5 years for severe acme, 30 years later they tell me it stained my teeth and caused damge to my liver ,most all fda approved drugs are plant based.like over 85% but if the bed buds aint makeing any $$$ they say no.the best way is to see your doctor and learn whats there to help both western and alt.my g.f has takein sam-e for bi polar and has workt better then the 30 diff combos they tried her on without the side effects,she gave birth a heath 6.9/ 21 inch baby boy no health problems .but i agree herbs can kill or cause death or injury if not used right dont do anything without talking to a herb pro or doc search sam-e on line and learn about it yourself then talk to your doc

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I'm interested in a safe, economical source for these herbs. I live in a small town with only one health store and am not familiar with brand names. SharonHillbilly Tim <knoxweb1@...> wrote: Milk thistle should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women.As far as ive seen it is not safe,but sam -e is very safe and will do alot of other things i will post sam-e info if you like Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less.

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[Guest guest]

sam-e is not a brand name just ask for sam-e and to explain it

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S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) is an amino acid that is used in the treatment of many conditions including liver disease, osteoarthritis, depression, fibromyalgia, schizophrenia, migraine headaches, and to increase bile flow. Other names for SAMe include: S-Adensyl Methionine, L-Methionine, Adomet, and Ademethionine.SAMe was discovered in Italy about four decades ago (Cantoni, 1952). However, the first clinical study of SAMe's use for depression was not completed until the 1970s (Agnoli et al., 1976). At that time there were no usable oral preparations and early studies had to use intravenous [iV] and intramuscular [iM] delivery. SAMe was first introduced into the U.S. dietary supplement market in 1999. However, it has been available in Europe since 1975. Today an oral form is used that is more resistant to oxidation and gastric enzyme degradation. Thus, allowing the SAMe to actually pass through the digestive track and into the blood

flow.SAMe (also known as SAM or AdoMet) is a derivative of the amino acid, methionine. It’s formed when methionine combines with adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a nucleotide present in all living cells. ATP is the major source of cellular energy. The liver uses this process to make SAM, as much as 8 grams of it every day, when the liver is perfectly healthy. Liver disease, osteoarthritis and the overuse of prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications can diminish the body’s SAM production. A small amount of SAMe is found in food, but it is highly unstable and an unreliable means of increasing blood levels.As a methyl donor, SAMe “donates” units called methyl groups, which contain hydrogen and carbon atoms, to other substances. This process is methylation, and it is one way in which the body protects itself from damage on the cellular level. Methyl donors help to protect against cancer, heart disease, neurological disorders, and many age-related

problems, and facilitated the manufacture of DNA and brain neurotransmitters. It is involved in more than 50 methylation reactions in the body, including the regulation of various hormones and neurotransmitters such as serotonin, melatonin, and dopamine.Once SAMe donates its methyl group to choline, creatine, carnitine, DNA, tRNA, epinephrine, and other compounds, it is transformed into S-adenosyl-homocysteine, (SAH). SAH donates its sulfur molecule to sulfur-containing amino acids such as cysteine, from which glutathione is formed. SAH then gives up its adenosine molecule to yield homocysteine. Homocysteine is a potentially toxic amino acid and an independent risk factor for coronary disease. Folic acid, choline, or betaine can change homocysteine back to methionine in the presence of vitamin B12, or convert homocysteine into cysteine and glutathione in the presence of vitamin B6.SAMe is particularly important for the liver because glutathione is

synthesized from it. Glutathione is crucial for liver function. A good portion of liver SAMe is turned into glutathione. Glutathione is the liver's natural antioxidant.

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Liz,, YOU couldnt have said THAT better!!! ESPECIALLY if one i pregnant,, but even if not, with liver disease,, we gotta be extra careful!! how are ya hon?elizabethnv1 <elizabethnv1@...> wrote: I would strongly advise against taking anything unless approved of by your doctor !!! Many relatively safe medications can be teratrogenic( cancers or birth defects) in fetuses . We on staff here DO NOT THINK ANY PATIENT WITH HEP C SHOULD TAKE ANY DRUG OR SUPPLEMENT WITHOUT CONSULTING A DOCTOR FIRST !!!!!!!!! Especially if your pregnant ..... ----- Original

Message ----- From: correne Hepatitis C Sent: Thursday, April 06, 2006 6:47 AM Subject: Re: High ferritin levels hey tim, i am about 11 weeks pregnant do you know if it's safe for me to take milk thystle and silymarin?corrieJackie

[Guest guest]

Cora hon,, PLEASE dont take anything unless your doc approves it,, and make sure HE knows you have hep c BEFORE giving you prenatals that have iron in them,,correne <coramoon2@...> wrote: hey tim, i am about 11 weeks pregnant do you know if it's safe for me to take milk thystle and silymarin?corrieJackie

[Guest guest]

I think with both hep c and being pregnancy great care should be taken to avoid anything unless the obgyn aproves .

Re: High ferritin levels

hey tim, i am about 11 weeks pregnant do you know if it's safe for me to take milk thystle and silymarin?corrieJackie

[Guest guest]

Supplements of Iron - Iron is well known for enabling bacterial infections to grow and is stored in the liver. People with Hep C (especially men) can have high iron readings. This does not mean that you cannot have foods containing iron, such as spinach or watercress, (known as non-haem) as the iron content is not as easily absorbed, but it is in meat (haem). For those who have high iron (ferritin) reading (and ask your doctor to tell you what your reading is) avoid taking vitamin C with iron rich foods as the vitamin C aids absorption in the body.

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Hepatitis C affects the liver, as we all now know. The damage the virus causes is a result of the immune system attacking liver cells whilst trying to destroy the virus. The liver is responsible for filtering anything and everything that we eat and drink along with a whole host of other jobs - its workload is absolutely phenomenal and it is essential for our well being. I truly believe that this virus can be beaten but you must take responsibility for this challenge yourself. You cannot hand yourself over to the medical profession and expect them to give you something to make everything better without taking anything on yourself. You owe it to your body to give it every chance to get back on track and you can do this. No, I'm not saying it's easy, but what I am saying is if you take

responsibility you can put up a far greater fight. After all it's your body nobody else's. Get on track start fighting back - it's not brutal, it's natural and it's good for you. In 1999 after the initial brutal shock of finding out that little old me had this killer virus and after contemplating suicide - because I couldn't face the final outcome, after all everything you read is cold, clinical and black - I decided to take this brute on, if it was a fight it was after it was picking on the wrong cookie. I began to study herbs for the liver and diet. I've been privately studying diet for Hep C for the past 3 1/2 years and am now training to become a nutritionist. I'd like to share my thoughts and findings with you in the hope that you will take up the challenge yourself and begin to get your life back. The body requires nutrients to

support many functions to sustain life and to keep the body in optimal health. If you have Hepatitis C (or any other illness) a complete and radical change in diet and lifestyle can change your life for the better. You'll begin to feel more energised and you'll be giving your body the requirements to meet the heavy demands placed upon it by this virus. You'll be fueling the fires to boost your immune system's response mechanisms. In this modern society, we take food for granted - just something to keep the pangs of hunger away or to feed a craving. We swill copious amounts of fizzy drinks down our gullets, we consume tons of processed foods, things like: commercial cereals, white bread, sugar, biscuits, cakes, pastries, processed foods, jams, ready made meals - the list is endless. Next time you visit a supermarket, just look at the shelves, they're full of food that has been messed around with to feed

peoples cravings and little or no thought has been put into natural goodness. Take foods that are alleged to be low in fat - read the label - do they contain hydrogenated oils or fats (these are bad fats - steer clear of them), sugar or even worse sweeteners (these artificial sweeteners are toxic). When your body is under attack from infections (and there are many) a whole army strides into action and it can only do this if this army is fighting fit and to be fighting fit, it requires the right nutrients from the food you eat. Doesn't it make sense to eat well and that doesn't, as mentioned earlier, mean eating anything for a quick fix. Eating well means eating foods which are rich in nutritional value - i.e. foods that are rich in minerals, vitamins, amino acids, etc. and these are found in natural foods. We now live in a world which sprays food with harmful pesticides and herbicides, which we then eat

and then the liver has to try and pump these out of your system whilst being under attack from Hep C virus. Also, our food has been over farmed for years and this means that the soil in which the food is grown is poor in minerals, such as selenium and zinc - these are essential for the proper functioning of the immune system. Personally, I love food and I now know that foods love me and my body loves me back and it proves it by making me feel good. What can you do? A great deal. There are certain foods, which are 'liver friendly' foods and others, which give the liver a really hard time causing poor functioning. Firstly, read the list of foods and supplements to avoid, then look at what you can eat and drink and start a new improved life. Be conscious of your body's needs, not your cravings. THINGS TO AVOID Alcohol - Alcohol will enable the virus to progress much quicker. Give it up. Smoking - Smoking seriously depletes the amount of vitamin C in the body. It also reduces the effectiveness of the immune system. It's not natural to inhale smoke into your lungs. Supplements of Iron - Iron is well known for enabling bacterial infections to grow and is stored in the liver. People with Hep C (especially men) can have high iron readings. This does not mean that you cannot have foods containing iron, such as spinach or watercress, (known as non-haem) as the iron content is not as easily absorbed, but it is in meat (haem). For those who have high iron (ferritin) reading (and ask your doctor to tell you what

your reading is) avoid taking vitamin C with iron rich foods as the vitamin C aids absorption in the body. Supplements of Vitamin A - can be toxic to the liver. To be sure you get just enough vitamin A, the liver can convert beta-carotene (found in carrots) into the exact amount of vitamin A required by your body. Burnt foods - These can be carcinogenic. Sugar - did you know that a half a teaspoon of sugar depletes the immune system for several hours. Sure, sugar gives you a burst of energy, but at a huge cost to your immune system - besides it's not a natural food and you do not need it at all. Natural sugar is fine and this comes in pure, fresh foods - in fresh fruit, vegetables, dried fruit and honey (use honey in moderation as the sugar is still

evident, it just doesn't give such a fast release as refined sugar). Bad sugar, (the stuff you buy in bags) is found in cakes, biscuits, sweets, fizzy and cordial drinks, processed foods, some canned foods. Sweeteners - these are toxic to your liver. Leave well alone. Make sure that you don't fall into the trap of buying foods that simply say 'No added sugar', make sure that they are free from sugar and artificial sweeteners. Hydrogenated oils/fats - these have been through such a process and are really bad for you, they're toxic - leave well alone. You'll find these in a host of products, such as: margarines, low fat spreads, supermarket cooking oils, processed foods (cakes, biscuits etc.) - read the label - and don't compromise. Oils found in abundance on the shelves of supermarkets have been through several processes in

order to lengthen their shelf life. These processes consist of deodorising the oil, making them colourless and tasteless; they have been treated with corrosives (sodium hydroxide and phosphoric acid) then they are bleached and heated to frying temperatures. Dairy produce - these are hard on the liver. Try alternatives, such as soya (make sure it's non-GM), rice, almond or oat milk. A little goat's milk is acceptable (semi-skimmed or skimmed). Avoid cows milk, cheese, butter, margarines, milk, cream, although whole milk bio-live natural yoghurt is good (but I'll go into that later). So you may say, where do I get my calcium. There are an abundance of foods rich in calcium and you're right to ask, especially when you consider that calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. Don't worry you won't go short, nature provides us with enough nutrients to give the body everything it needs.

Fried or roasted food - both of these methods of cooking are very damaging. This is due to the chemical reaction created when fats and oils are heated causing them to become free radicals - and these are something you definitely do not want. Vital water soluble vitamins such as B, C, D and E are lost during frying. Smoked fish - these are high in nitrates due to the process the fish goes through. Can be cancer inducing. White Bread (along with anything produced with white flour) Meat - (other than a little free range chicken): If it has ever had four legs - leave well alone. return to top of page FOODS YOU CAN ENJOY: Protein - rich in calcium, folic acid, vitamins B. Seaweeds, walnuts, almonds, brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, linseeds (cracked), sprouted seeds and grains. Beans, pulses and lentils. (these should be eaten daily - 2 ounces dried weight - canned varieties lose essential vitamins). Tofu - an excellent source of protein, containing high calcium levels. NB. Nuts and seeds should be stored in dark containers if they are shelled as the light can disrupt the nutritional balance, cause oxidation and turn the essential oils rancid Wheatgerm is rich in folic acid, iron, B1, B6, niacin and a good source of protein. 2 tablespoons per day will provide

40% of the necessary requirement for an adult in vitamin B1 and folic acid and also raises vitamin E intake by 50%. Peas - an excellent source of protein. Peas are a very underestimated food they are full of essential nutrients and fibre. Whole grains - of millet, buckwheat, rye, barley, and quinoa, alfalfa seeds, mung and aduki beans are rich in: protein, folic acid, calcium and B vitamins. By sprouting these grains, their energy equivalent is increased many times, this is due to the enzyme action stimulated by the sprouting process which increases the nutritional value. Other sources of wholegrains are: red macrobiotic rice, wild rice, whole brown rice, alfalfa seeds and oats. Fresh vegetables - are rich in folic acid, iron, vitamin C and some B vitamins. Broccoli,

cauliflower, kale, brussel sprouts, mushroom, turnips, carrots, beetroot, artichokes, spinach, watercress and salad leaves. (eat vegetables raw or lightly steamed). Artichokes are extremely good at cleansing and detoxifying the liver. They're good in salads, topped on pizzas, in a pasta sauce or eaten as a vegetable. Tomatoes are bursting with calcium, beta-carotene and vitamin C. Raw tomatoes reduce liver inflammation. Eating large quantities can interfere with calcium absorption. Avocados are rich in calcium and folic acid. Avocado is a good food for balancing alkaline and acid contents. Good for the blood and prevents anaemia. Beetroot is rich, in an abundance of nutrients, which include; folic acid and vitamin C, along with calcium. Beetroot is an excellent intestinal cleanser and detoxifies the liver. Best eaten raw in salads or juiced. Cabbage and carrots are wonderful for your liver. They stimulate the immune system, kills bacteria and viruses, along with improving

digestion. They are perfect foods, especially if eaten raw. Mushrooms support the immune system. Maitake, shitake and reishi are particularly good as they contain powerful antioxidants and are renowned in their ability to combat certain cancers. Garlic and onions are both excellent foods which are full of essential nutrients. They both (especially in their raw state) are powerful anti-virals. Eat these liberally. Milk alternatives - are delicious. Try soya, rice, almond and oat milk. Eggs - eat only free range and limit your intake to no more than two per week. Never be tempted to fry eggs, they are bad news. Red, Orange, Red and Yellow Peppers - are rich in beta-carotene, vitamins and minerals. They are excellent antioxidants. Fresh fruits are rich in vitamins C, E and some B Vitamins. Avocados, apples, pears, pineapple, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, cherries, peaches, apricots, grapes, mango, banana, kiwi fruit, oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruit etc. NB. Citrus fruits may be difficult for some people to tolerate due to their acidity, if this is true in your case try firstly to: dilute the fresh juice with water, i.e. 3 parts juice to one part water or further dilution may be necessary. Breads (except white bread products) - Try to buy good bread such as wholemeal, wholegrain, granary, rye or sunflower breads. White bread is low on nutritional value and the liver finds white flour really difficult to deal with. Don't put the stress on your liver. Whole Milk Bio-Live Natural Yoghurt - is rich in calcium and vitamin D.

Eat this every day. It is wonderful for the immune system and keeps the bad bacteria in the gut at bay whilst enabling the good bacteria to flourish. Drinks - Green tea is a good alternative to black tea. It has therapeutic properties. Try a variety of herb teas such as, red bush, red clover, hibiscus, cleavers, (a good lymphatic cleanser), peppermint or lime flower. There are plenty of alternatives to coffee, such as No Caf, Wake Up and Dandelion Coffee. Ordinary tea and coffee rob your body of water - they are known as diuretics. Cereals - Muesli (without sugar) and oats are excellent breakfast cereals. Muesli should be stored in dark containers away from heat and light as they destroy the essential fats in the nuts, along with the mineral content. Oats is an excellent form of fibre and retains its nutrients even when heated.

Water - Drink plenty, it flushes the toxins out through the liver and kidneys. It is essential to all life. You could go without food for 3 to 4 weeks, but only 3 to 5 days without water. Simple calculation:- take your body weight in pounds, then half it and that is the amount of fluid ounces you should consume. (e.g. 9st 2lbs = 128lbs divided by 2 = 64. Therefore, you would need 64 fluid ounces of water per day). Make sure you don't drink it all at once. Spread it out over the day. Good Fats - are fats that are rich in Essential Fatty Acids (EFA's). These are essential to our diet. These fats consist of Omega 3 and Omega 6 and can be found in an abundance of foods, they are: Oily fish such as tuna, salmon and mackerel (wherever possible try to use wild salmon as farm produced salmon has been fed artificially and treated with pesticides

and antiobiotics). Nuts and seeds are another way in which you can ensure you get enough EFA's and it is best to (wherever possible) make sure that they are fresh and are not exposed to sunlight. Sunlight and heat can turn the oils 'rancid' and change the structure of the oils and they don't taste too good. Also found in an abundance of good cold pressed oils (see below). Oils and spreads - Choose good quality oils. These need to be 100% cold pressed and should be in dark bottles or containers, which should be stored in the fridge. Light breaks down the oil's nutrients, as does heat. Spreads. Care should be taken if you really can't do without a spread on your toast or sandwiches. The one that I sometimes use is a product called 'PURE'. This is free from dairy products, hydrogenated fats, lactose, trans-fatty acids and is not GM produced. Nuts and seeds - Eat a handful along with some dried fruit between meals if you feel a little hungry. Do not eat roasted nuts as the roasting process destroys the essential fats, changing their molecules into free radical scavengers. Steer clear of peanuts, they are prone to moulds. Cooking Pans - Do not use aluminium cookware. There is a link to 'altzhiemers disease', although it is not proven. Do not use cast iron cookware. The cooking process leaches iron from the pans. Remember, you're trying to avoid huge iron intakes. Do use; glass, stainless steel and non-stick (but only as long as the coating isn't flaking). NEVER OVER EAT - you will overwork the liver. It's got enough to do. return to top of page Good Supplements to consider according to diet Vitamin E - start with 1200 iu (International Units) per day then reduce to 400 iu. To get all the vitamin E the body requires along with some essential B vitamins, take 2 tablespoons of wheat germ per day, but ensure it is fresh (preferably vacuum packed). Vitamin B Complex - take as recommended by manufacturer. Zinc - do not exceed 60 mg per day. For absorption, do not take with other supplements. Selenium - take as recommended by manufacturer. Alternatively, if you eat 2 brazil nuts daily, you will

get enough selenium. Vitamin C - there are various views on the amount required. Balch MD recommends between 5 and 10 grams daily. Good Food Reading: The Liver Cleansing Diet by Dr Cabot The Immune System Cure by Lorna R Vanderhaegue and J D Bouic, PhD Healing Foods by Miriam Polunin Healing Foods by Jane Sen More Healing Foods by Jane Sen Prescription to Nutritional Healing by Phyllis

and Balch MD Your Body's Many Cries for Water by F Batmanghelidji, MD. I hope that this truncated advice on diet is helpful. It may seem daunting at first, but if you adopt the basic principles you will be taking a step in the right direction for attaining a healthy eating lifestyle along with improved quality of life. You may say, 'I can't do that, I don't have the money or the time to do it and besides the kids won't stand for it', (I've heard this so many times). Stop putting obstacles in your way, stop making excuses and for goodness sake don't use the kids as an excuse either. Firstly, it is not expensive. Remember the things that are expensive, are things such as cakes, biscuits, sweets, fizzy drinks, crisps, ready meals, etc. These foods are rubbish, they hold little or no nutritional value and by eating them you're doing

yourself and your kids more harm than good. As for the time thing, well, what do you normally do with your time? Preparing and cooking food is enjoyable and is also good for you. The digestive juices get themselves geared up for the intake of food through the smell of the preparation and cooking. Your immune system (not to mention your liver) has been struggling with the onslaught of this virus for god knows how long, give it the ammunition it requires to put up the best possible fight for your future well being and your quality of life. Sue Parkinson return to top of page

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[Guest guest]

Hepatitis C affects the liver, as we all now know. The damage the virus causes is a result of the immune system attacking liver cells whilst trying to destroy the virus. The liver is responsible for filtering anything and everything that we eat and drink along with a whole host of other jobs - its workload is absolutely phenomenal and it is essential for our well being. I truly believe that this virus can be beaten but you must take responsibility for this challenge yourself. You cannot hand yourself over to the medical profession and expect them to give you something to make everything better without taking anything on yourself. You owe it to your body to give it every chance to get back on track and you can do this. No, I'm not saying it's easy, but what I am saying is if you take responsibility you can put up a far greater fight. After all it's your body nobody else's. Get on track start

fighting back - it's not brutal, it's natural and it's good for you. In 1999 after the initial brutal shock of finding out that little old me had this killer virus and after contemplating suicide - because I couldn't face the final outcome, after all everything you read is cold, clinical and black - I decided to take this brute on, if it was a fight it was after it was picking on the wrong cookie. I began to study herbs for the liver and diet. I've been privately studying diet for Hep C for the past 3 1/2 years and am now training to become a nutritionist. I'd like to share my thoughts and findings with you in the hope that you will take up the challenge yourself and begin to get your life back. The body requires nutrients to support many functions to sustain life and to keep the body in optimal health. If you have Hepatitis C (or any

other illness) a complete and radical change in diet and lifestyle can change your life for the better. You'll begin to feel more energised and you'll be giving your body the requirements to meet the heavy demands placed upon it by this virus. You'll be fueling the fires to boost your immune system's response mechanisms. In this modern society, we take food for granted - just something to keep the pangs of hunger away or to feed a craving. We swill copious amounts of fizzy drinks down our gullets, we consume tons of processed foods, things like: commercial cereals, white bread, sugar, biscuits, cakes, pastries, processed foods, jams, ready made meals - the list is endless. Next time you visit a supermarket, just look at the shelves, they're full of food that has been messed around with to feed peoples cravings and little or no thought has been put into natural goodness. Take foods that are alleged to be

low in fat - read the label - do they contain hydrogenated oils or fats (these are bad fats - steer clear of them), sugar or even worse sweeteners (these artificial sweeteners are toxic). When your body is under attack from infections (and there are many) a whole army strides into action and it can only do this if this army is fighting fit and to be fighting fit, it requires the right nutrients from the food you eat. Doesn't it make sense to eat well and that doesn't, as mentioned earlier, mean eating anything for a quick fix. Eating well means eating foods which are rich in nutritional value - i.e. foods that are rich in minerals, vitamins, amino acids, etc. and these are found in natural foods. We now live in a world which sprays food with harmful pesticides and herbicides, which we then eat and then the liver has to try and pump these out of your system whilst being under attack from Hep C virus. Also,

our food has been over farmed for years and this means that the soil in which the food is grown is poor in minerals, such as selenium and zinc - these are essential for the proper functioning of the immune system. Personally, I love food and I now know that foods love me and my body loves me back and it proves it by making me feel good. What can you do? A great deal. There are certain foods, which are 'liver friendly' foods and others, which give the liver a really hard time causing poor functioning. Firstly, read the list of foods and supplements to avoid, then look at what you can eat and drink and start a new improved life. Be conscious of your body's needs, not your cravings. THINGS TO AVOID Alcohol - Alcohol will enable the virus to progress much quicker. Give it up. Smoking - Smoking seriously depletes the amount of vitamin C in the body. It also reduces the effectiveness of the immune system. It's not natural to inhale smoke into your lungs. Supplements of Iron - Iron is well known for enabling bacterial infections to grow and is stored in the liver. People with Hep C (especially men) can have high iron readings. This does not mean that you cannot have foods containing iron, such as spinach or watercress, (known as non-haem) as the iron content is not as easily absorbed, but it is in meat (haem). For those who have high iron (ferritin) reading (and ask your doctor to tell you what your reading is) avoid taking vitamin C with iron rich foods as the vitamin C aids absorption in the

body. Supplements of Vitamin A - can be toxic to the liver. To be sure you get just enough vitamin A, the liver can convert beta-carotene (found in carrots) into the exact amount of vitamin A required by your body. Burnt foods - These can be carcinogenic. Sugar - did you know that a half a teaspoon of sugar depletes the immune system for several hours. Sure, sugar gives you a burst of energy, but at a huge cost to your immune system - besides it's not a natural food and you do not need it at all. Natural sugar is fine and this comes in pure, fresh foods - in fresh fruit, vegetables, dried fruit and honey (use honey in moderation as the sugar is still evident, it just doesn't give such a fast release as refined sugar). Bad sugar, (the stuff you buy

in bags) is found in cakes, biscuits, sweets, fizzy and cordial drinks, processed foods, some canned foods. Sweeteners - these are toxic to your liver. Leave well alone. Make sure that you don't fall into the trap of buying foods that simply say 'No added sugar', make sure that they are free from sugar and artificial sweeteners. Hydrogenated oils/fats - these have been through such a process and are really bad for you, they're toxic - leave well alone. You'll find these in a host of products, such as: margarines, low fat spreads, supermarket cooking oils, processed foods (cakes, biscuits etc.) - read the label - and don't compromise. Oils found in abundance on the shelves of supermarkets have been through several processes in order to lengthen their shelf life. These processes consist of deodorising the oil, making them

colourless and tasteless; they have been treated with corrosives (sodium hydroxide and phosphoric acid) then they are bleached and heated to frying temperatures. Dairy produce - these are hard on the liver. Try alternatives, such as soya (make sure it's non-GM), rice, almond or oat milk. A little goat's milk is acceptable (semi-skimmed or skimmed). Avoid cows milk, cheese, butter, margarines, milk, cream, although whole milk bio-live natural yoghurt is good (but I'll go into that later). So you may say, where do I get my calcium. There are an abundance of foods rich in calcium and you're right to ask, especially when you consider that calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. Don't worry you won't go short, nature provides us with enough nutrients to give the body everything it needs. Fried or roasted food - both of

these methods of cooking are very damaging. This is due to the chemical reaction created when fats and oils are heated causing them to become free radicals - and these are something you definitely do not want. Vital water soluble vitamins such as B, C, D and E are lost during frying. Smoked fish - these are high in nitrates due to the process the fish goes through. Can be cancer inducing. White Bread (along with anything produced with white flour) Meat - (other than a little free range chicken): If it has ever had four legs - leave well alone. return to top of

page FOODS YOU CAN ENJOY: Protein - rich in calcium, folic acid, vitamins B. Seaweeds, walnuts, almonds, brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, linseeds (cracked), sprouted seeds and grains. Beans, pulses and lentils. (these should be eaten daily - 2 ounces dried weight - canned varieties lose essential vitamins). Tofu - an excellent source of protein, containing high calcium levels. NB. Nuts and seeds should be stored in dark containers if they are shelled as the light can disrupt the nutritional balance, cause oxidation and turn the essential oils rancid Wheatgerm is rich in folic acid, iron, B1, B6, niacin and a good source of protein. 2 tablespoons per day will provide 40% of the necessary requirement for an adult in vitamin B1 and folic acid

and also raises vitamin E intake by 50%. Peas - an excellent source of protein. Peas are a very underestimated food they are full of essential nutrients and fibre. Whole grains - of millet, buckwheat, rye, barley, and quinoa, alfalfa seeds, mung and aduki beans are rich in: protein, folic acid, calcium and B vitamins. By sprouting these grains, their energy equivalent is increased many times, this is due to the enzyme action stimulated by the sprouting process which increases the nutritional value. Other sources of wholegrains are: red macrobiotic rice, wild rice, whole brown rice, alfalfa seeds and oats. Fresh vegetables - are rich in folic acid, iron, vitamin C and some B vitamins. Broccoli, cauliflower, kale, brussel sprouts, mushroom, turnips, carrots, beetroot,

artichokes, spinach, watercress and salad leaves. (eat vegetables raw or lightly steamed). Artichokes are extremely good at cleansing and detoxifying the liver. They're good in salads, topped on pizzas, in a pasta sauce or eaten as a vegetable. Tomatoes are bursting with calcium, beta-carotene and vitamin C. Raw tomatoes reduce liver inflammation. Eating large quantities can interfere with calcium absorption. Avocados are rich in calcium and folic acid. Avocado is a good food for balancing alkaline and acid contents. Good for the blood and prevents anaemia. Beetroot is rich, in an abundance of nutrients, which include; folic acid and vitamin C, along with calcium. Beetroot is an excellent intestinal cleanser and detoxifies the liver. Best eaten raw in salads or juiced. Cabbage and carrots are wonderful for your liver. They stimulate the immune system, kills bacteria and viruses, along with improving digestion. They are perfect foods, especially if eaten raw. Mushrooms

support the immune system. Maitake, shitake and reishi are particularly good as they contain powerful antioxidants and are renowned in their ability to combat certain cancers. Garlic and onions are both excellent foods which are full of essential nutrients. They both (especially in their raw state) are powerful anti-virals. Eat these liberally. Milk alternatives - are delicious. Try soya, rice, almond and oat milk. Eggs - eat only free range and limit your intake to no more than two per week. Never be tempted to fry eggs, they are bad news. Red, Orange, Red and Yellow Peppers - are rich in beta-carotene, vitamins and minerals. They are excellent antioxidants. Fresh fruits are rich in vitamins C, E and

some B Vitamins. Avocados, apples, pears, pineapple, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, cherries, peaches, apricots, grapes, mango, banana, kiwi fruit, oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruit etc. NB. Citrus fruits may be difficult for some people to tolerate due to their acidity, if this is true in your case try firstly to: dilute the fresh juice with water, i.e. 3 parts juice to one part water or further dilution may be necessary. Breads (except white bread products) - Try to buy good bread such as wholemeal, wholegrain, granary, rye or sunflower breads. White bread is low on nutritional value and the liver finds white flour really difficult to deal with. Don't put the stress on your liver. Whole Milk Bio-Live Natural Yoghurt - is rich in calcium and vitamin D. Eat this every day. It is wonderful for the immune system and keeps the

bad bacteria in the gut at bay whilst enabling the good bacteria to flourish. Drinks - Green tea is a good alternative to black tea. It has therapeutic properties. Try a variety of herb teas such as, red bush, red clover, hibiscus, cleavers, (a good lymphatic cleanser), peppermint or lime flower. There are plenty of alternatives to coffee, such as No Caf, Wake Up and Dandelion Coffee. Ordinary tea and coffee rob your body of water - they are known as diuretics. Cereals - Muesli (without sugar) and oats are excellent breakfast cereals. Muesli should be stored in dark containers away from heat and light as they destroy the essential fats in the nuts, along with the mineral content. Oats is an excellent form of fibre and retains its nutrients even when heated. Water -

Drink plenty, it flushes the toxins out through the liver and kidneys. It is essential to all life. You could go without food for 3 to 4 weeks, but only 3 to 5 days without water. Simple calculation:- take your body weight in pounds, then half it and that is the amount of fluid ounces you should consume. (e.g. 9st 2lbs = 128lbs divided by 2 = 64. Therefore, you would need 64 fluid ounces of water per day). Make sure you don't drink it all at once. Spread it out over the day. Good Fats - are fats that are rich in Essential Fatty Acids (EFA's). These are essential to our diet. These fats consist of Omega 3 and Omega 6 and can be found in an abundance of foods, they are: Oily fish such as tuna, salmon and mackerel (wherever possible try to use wild salmon as farm produced salmon has been fed artificially and treated with pesticides and antiobiotics). Nuts and seeds are another way in which you can ensure you

get enough EFA's and it is best to (wherever possible) make sure that they are fresh and are not exposed to sunlight. Sunlight and heat can turn the oils 'rancid' and change the structure of the oils and they don't taste too good. Also found in an abundance of good cold pressed oils (see below). Oils and spreads - Choose good quality oils. These need to be 100% cold pressed and should be in dark bottles or containers, which should be stored in the fridge. Light breaks down the oil's nutrients, as does heat. Spreads. Care should be taken if you really can't do without a spread on your toast or sandwiches. The one that I sometimes use is a product called 'PURE'. This is free from dairy products, hydrogenated fats, lactose, trans-fatty acids and is not GM produced. Nuts and seeds - Eat a handful along with some dried fruit between meals if

you feel a little hungry. Do not eat roasted nuts as the roasting process destroys the essential fats, changing their molecules into free radical scavengers. Steer clear of peanuts, they are prone to moulds. Cooking Pans - Do not use aluminium cookware. There is a link to 'altzhiemers disease', although it is not proven. Do not use cast iron cookware. The cooking process leaches iron from the pans. Remember, you're trying to avoid huge iron intakes. Do use; glass, stainless steel and non-stick (but only as long as the coating isn't flaking). NEVER OVER EAT - you will overwork the liver. It's got enough to do. return to top of page Good Supplements to consider according to diet Vitamin E - start with 1200 iu (International Units) per day then reduce to 400 iu. To get all the vitamin E the body requires along with some essential B vitamins, take 2 tablespoons of wheat germ per day, but ensure it is fresh (preferably vacuum packed). Vitamin B Complex - take as recommended by manufacturer. Zinc - do not exceed 60 mg per day. For absorption, do not take with other supplements. Selenium - take as recommended by manufacturer. Alternatively, if you eat 2 brazil nuts daily, you will get enough selenium. Vitamin C -

there are various views on the amount required. Balch MD recommends between 5 and 10 grams daily. Good Food Reading: The Liver Cleansing Diet by Dr Cabot The Immune System Cure by Lorna R Vanderhaegue and J D Bouic, PhD Healing Foods by Miriam Polunin Healing Foods by Jane Sen More Healing Foods by Jane Sen Prescription to Nutritional Healing by Phyllis and Balch MD Your Body's Many Cries for Water by F Batmanghelidji, MD. I hope that this truncated advice on diet is helpful. It may seem daunting at first, but if you adopt the basic principles you will be taking a step in the right direction for attaining a healthy eating lifestyle along with improved quality of life. You may say, 'I can't do that, I don't have the money or the time to do it and besides the kids won't stand for it', (I've heard this so many times). Stop putting obstacles in your way, stop making excuses and for goodness sake don't use the kids as an excuse either. Firstly, it is not expensive. Remember the things that are expensive, are things such as cakes, biscuits, sweets, fizzy drinks, crisps, ready meals, etc. These foods are rubbish, they hold little or no nutritional value and by eating them you're doing yourself and your kids more harm than good. As for the time thing, well,

what do you normally do with your time? Preparing and cooking food is enjoyable and is also good for you. The digestive juices get themselves geared up for the intake of food through the smell of the preparation and cooking. Your immune system (not to mention your liver) has been struggling with the onslaught of this virus for god knows how long, give it the ammunition it requires to put up the best possible fight for your future well being and your quality of life. Sue Parkinson

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Tim Thank you for sharing your story and the advice on nutrition,, Dr Balch is one of the writers of the books used in one of the classes I took.. very smart man.. I just cannot remember what I read, the INF really damaged my memory,, thanks again jaxHillbilly Tim <knoxweb1@...> wrote: Hepatitis C affects the liver, as we all now know. The damage the virus causes is a result of the immune system attacking liver cells whilst trying to destroy the virus. The liver is responsible for filtering anything and everything that we eat and drink along with a whole host of other jobs - its workload is absolutely phenomenal and it is essential for our well being. I truly believe that this virus can be beaten but you

must take responsibility for this challenge yourself. You cannot hand yourself over to the medical profession and expect them to give you something to make everything better without taking anything on yourself. You owe it to your body to give it every chance to get back on track and you can do this. No, I'm not saying it's easy, but what I am saying is if you take responsibility you can put up a far greater fight. After all it's your body nobody else's. Get on track start fighting back - it's not brutal, it's natural and it's good for you. In 1999 after the initial brutal shock of finding out that little old me had this killer virus and after contemplating suicide - because I couldn't face the final outcome, after all everything you read is cold, clinical and black - I decided to take this brute on, if it was a fight it was after it was picking on the wrong cookie. I began to study herbs for the liver and

diet. I've been privately studying diet for Hep C for the past 3 1/2 years and am now training to become a nutritionist. I'd like to share my thoughts and findings with you in the hope that you will take up the challenge yourself and begin to get your life back. The body requires nutrients to support many functions to sustain life and to keep the body in optimal health. If you have Hepatitis C (or any other illness) a complete and radical change in diet and lifestyle can change your life for the better. You'll begin to feel more energised and you'll be giving your body the requirements to meet the heavy demands placed upon it by this virus. You'll be fueling the fires to boost your immune system's response mechanisms. In this modern society, we take food for granted - just something to keep the pangs of hunger away or to feed a craving.

We swill copious amounts of fizzy drinks down our gullets, we consume tons of processed foods, things like: commercial cereals, white bread, sugar, biscuits, cakes, pastries, processed foods, jams, ready made meals - the list is endless. Next time you visit a supermarket, just look at the shelves, they're full of food that has been messed around with to feed peoples cravings and little or no thought has been put into natural goodness. Take foods that are alleged to be low in fat - read the label - do they contain hydrogenated oils or fats (these are bad fats - steer clear of them), sugar or even worse sweeteners (these artificial sweeteners are toxic). When your body is under attack from infections (and there are many) a whole army strides into action and it can only do this if this army is fighting fit and to be fighting fit, it requires the right nutrients from the food you eat. Doesn't it make sense to

eat well and that doesn't, as mentioned earlier, mean eating anything for a quick fix. Eating well means eating foods which are rich in nutritional value - i.e. foods that are rich in minerals, vitamins, amino acids, etc. and these are found in natural foods. We now live in a world which sprays food with harmful pesticides and herbicides, which we then eat and then the liver has to try and pump these out of your system whilst being under attack from Hep C virus. Also, our food has been over farmed for years and this means that the soil in which the food is grown is poor in minerals, such as selenium and zinc - these are essential for the proper functioning of the immune system. Personally, I love food and I now know that foods love me and my body loves me back and it proves it by making me feel good. What can you do? A great deal. There are certain foods, which are 'liver friendly' foods and others, which

give the liver a really hard time causing poor functioning. Firstly, read the list of foods and supplements to avoid, then look at what you can eat and drink and start a new improved life. Be conscious of your body's needs, not your cravings. THINGS TO AVOID Alcohol - Alcohol will enable the virus to progress much quicker. Give it up. Smoking - Smoking seriously depletes the amount of vitamin C in the body. It also reduces the effectiveness of the immune system. It's not natural to inhale smoke into your lungs. Supplements of Iron - Iron is well known for enabling bacterial infections to grow

and is stored in the liver. People with Hep C (especially men) can have high iron readings. This does not mean that you cannot have foods containing iron, such as spinach or watercress, (known as non-haem) as the iron content is not as easily absorbed, but it is in meat (haem). For those who have high iron (ferritin) reading (and ask your doctor to tell you what your reading is) avoid taking vitamin C with iron rich foods as the vitamin C aids absorption in the body. Supplements of Vitamin A - can be toxic to the liver. To be sure you get just enough vitamin A, the liver can convert beta-carotene (found in carrots) into the exact amount of vitamin A required by your body. Burnt foods - These can be carcinogenic. Sugar - did you know that a half a

teaspoon of sugar depletes the immune system for several hours. Sure, sugar gives you a burst of energy, but at a huge cost to your immune system - besides it's not a natural food and you do not need it at all. Natural sugar is fine and this comes in pure, fresh foods - in fresh fruit, vegetables, dried fruit and honey (use honey in moderation as the sugar is still evident, it just doesn't give such a fast release as refined sugar). Bad sugar, (the stuff you buy in bags) is found in cakes, biscuits, sweets, fizzy and cordial drinks, processed foods, some canned foods. Sweeteners - these are toxic to your liver. Leave well alone. Make sure that you don't fall into the trap of buying foods that simply say 'No added sugar', make sure that they are free from sugar and artificial sweeteners. Hydrogenated oils/fats - these have

been through such a process and are really bad for you, they're toxic - leave well alone. You'll find these in a host of products, such as: margarines, low fat spreads, supermarket cooking oils, processed foods (cakes, biscuits etc.) - read the label - and don't compromise. Oils found in abundance on the shelves of supermarkets have been through several processes in order to lengthen their shelf life. These processes consist of deodorising the oil, making them colourless and tasteless; they have been treated with corrosives (sodium hydroxide and phosphoric acid) then they are bleached and heated to frying temperatures. Dairy produce - these are hard on the liver. Try alternatives, such as soya (make sure it's non-GM), rice, almond or oat milk. A little goat's milk is acceptable (semi-skimmed or skimmed). Avoid cows milk, cheese, butter, margarines, milk, cream, although whole milk bio-live natural

yoghurt is good (but I'll go into that later). So you may say, where do I get my calcium. There are an abundance of foods rich in calcium and you're right to ask, especially when you consider that calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. Don't worry you won't go short, nature provides us with enough nutrients to give the body everything it needs. Fried or roasted food - both of these methods of cooking are very damaging. This is due to the chemical reaction created when fats and oils are heated causing them to become free radicals - and these are something you definitely do not want. Vital water soluble vitamins such as B, C, D and E are lost during frying. Smoked fish - these are high in nitrates due to the process the fish goes through. Can be cancer inducing. White Bread (along with anything produced with white flour) Meat - (other than a little free range chicken): If it has ever had four legs - leave well alone. return to top of page FOODS YOU CAN ENJOY: Protein - rich in calcium, folic acid, vitamins B. Seaweeds, walnuts, almonds, brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, linseeds (cracked), sprouted seeds and grains. Beans, pulses and lentils. (these should be eaten daily - 2 ounces dried weight - canned varieties lose essential vitamins). Tofu - an excellent source of protein, containing high calcium levels. NB. Nuts and seeds should be stored in dark containers if they are shelled as the light can disrupt the nutritional balance, cause oxidation and turn the essential oils rancid Wheatgerm is rich in folic acid, iron, B1, B6, niacin and a good source of protein. 2 tablespoons per day will provide 40% of the necessary requirement for an adult in vitamin B1 and folic acid and also raises vitamin E intake by 50%. Peas - an excellent source of protein. Peas are a very underestimated food they are full of essential nutrients and fibre. Whole grains - of millet, buckwheat, rye, barley, and quinoa, alfalfa seeds, mung and aduki beans are rich in: protein, folic acid, calcium and B vitamins. By sprouting these grains, their energy equivalent is increased many

times, this is due to the enzyme action stimulated by the sprouting process which increases the nutritional value. Other sources of wholegrains are: red macrobiotic rice, wild rice, whole brown rice, alfalfa seeds and oats. Fresh vegetables - are rich in folic acid, iron, vitamin C and some B vitamins. Broccoli, cauliflower, kale, brussel sprouts, mushroom, turnips, carrots, beetroot, artichokes, spinach, watercress and salad leaves. (eat vegetables raw or lightly steamed). Artichokes are extremely good at cleansing and detoxifying the liver. They're good in salads, topped on pizzas, in a pasta sauce or eaten as a vegetable. Tomatoes are bursting with calcium, beta-carotene and vitamin C. Raw tomatoes reduce liver inflammation. Eating large quantities can interfere with calcium absorption. Avocados are rich in calcium and folic acid. Avocado is a good food for balancing alkaline and acid contents. Good

for the blood and prevents anaemia. Beetroot is rich, in an abundance of nutrients, which include; folic acid and vitamin C, along with calcium. Beetroot is an excellent intestinal cleanser and detoxifies the liver. Best eaten raw in salads or juiced. Cabbage and carrots are wonderful for your liver. They stimulate the immune system, kills bacteria and viruses, along with improving digestion. They are perfect foods, especially if eaten raw. Mushrooms support the immune system. Maitake, shitake and reishi are particularly good as they contain powerful antioxidants and are renowned in their ability to combat certain cancers. Garlic and onions are both excellent foods which are full of essential nutrients. They both (especially in their raw state) are powerful anti-virals. Eat these liberally. Milk alternatives - are delicious. Try soya, rice, almond and oat milk. Eggs - eat only free range and limit your intake to no more than two per week. Never be tempted to fry eggs, they are bad news. Red, Orange, Red and Yellow Peppers - are rich in beta-carotene, vitamins and minerals. They are excellent antioxidants. Fresh fruits are rich in vitamins C, E and some B Vitamins. Avocados, apples, pears, pineapple, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, cherries, peaches, apricots, grapes, mango, banana, kiwi fruit, oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruit etc. NB. Citrus fruits may be difficult for some people to tolerate due to their acidity, if this is true in your case try firstly to: dilute the fresh juice with water, i.e. 3 parts juice to one part water or further dilution may be necessary. Breads (except

white bread products) - Try to buy good bread such as wholemeal, wholegrain, granary, rye or sunflower breads. White bread is low on nutritional value and the liver finds white flour really difficult to deal with. Don't put the stress on your liver. Whole Milk Bio-Live Natural Yoghurt - is rich in calcium and vitamin D. Eat this every day. It is wonderful for the immune system and keeps the bad bacteria in the gut at bay whilst enabling the good bacteria to flourish. Drinks - Green tea is a good alternative to black tea. It has therapeutic properties. Try a variety of herb teas such as, red bush, red clover, hibiscus, cleavers, (a good lymphatic cleanser), peppermint or lime flower. There are plenty of alternatives to coffee, such as No Caf, Wake Up and Dandelion Coffee. Ordinary tea and coffee rob your body of water - they are known as

diuretics. Cereals - Muesli (without sugar) and oats are excellent breakfast cereals. Muesli should be stored in dark containers away from heat and light as they destroy the essential fats in the nuts, along with the mineral content. Oats is an excellent form of fibre and retains its nutrients even when heated. Water - Drink plenty, it flushes the toxins out through the liver and kidneys. It is essential to all life. You could go without food for 3 to 4 weeks, but only 3 to 5 days without water. Simple calculation:- take your body weight in pounds, then half it and that is the amount of fluid ounces you should consume. (e.g. 9st 2lbs = 128lbs divided by 2 = 64. Therefore, you would need 64 fluid ounces of water per day). Make sure you don't drink it all at once. Spread it out over the day. Good Fats - are fats that are rich in Essential Fatty Acids (EFA's). These are essential to our diet. These fats consist of Omega 3 and Omega 6 and can be found in an abundance of foods, they are: Oily fish such as tuna, salmon and mackerel (wherever possible try to use wild salmon as farm produced salmon has been fed artificially and treated with pesticides and antiobiotics). Nuts and seeds are another way in which you can ensure you get enough EFA's and it is best to (wherever possible) make sure that they are fresh and are not exposed to sunlight. Sunlight and heat can turn the oils 'rancid' and change the structure of the oils and they don't taste too good. Also found in an abundance of good cold pressed oils (see below). Oils and spreads - Choose good quality oils. These need to be 100% cold pressed and should be in dark bottles or containers, which should be stored in the

fridge. Light breaks down the oil's nutrients, as does heat. Spreads. Care should be taken if you really can't do without a spread on your toast or sandwiches. The one that I sometimes use is a product called 'PURE'. This is free from dairy products, hydrogenated fats, lactose, trans-fatty acids and is not GM produced. Nuts and seeds - Eat a handful along with some dried fruit between meals if you feel a little hungry. Do not eat roasted nuts as the roasting process destroys the essential fats, changing their molecules into free radical scavengers. Steer clear of peanuts, they are prone to moulds. Cooking Pans - Do not use aluminium cookware. There is a link to 'altzhiemers disease', although it is not proven. Do not use cast iron cookware. The cooking process leaches iron from the pans. Remember, you're trying to avoid huge iron

intakes. Do use; glass, stainless steel and non-stick (but only as long as the coating isn't flaking). NEVER OVER EAT - you will overwork the liver. It's got enough to do. return to top of page Good Supplements to consider according to diet Vitamin E - start with 1200 iu (International Units) per day then reduce to 400 iu. To get all the vitamin E the body requires along with some essential B vitamins, take 2 tablespoons of wheat germ per day, but ensure it is fresh (preferably vacuum packed). Vitamin B Complex - take

as recommended by manufacturer. Zinc - do not exceed 60 mg per day. For absorption, do not take with other supplements. Selenium - take as recommended by manufacturer. Alternatively, if you eat 2 brazil nuts daily, you will get enough selenium. Vitamin C - there are various views on the amount required. Balch MD recommends between 5 and 10 grams daily. Good Food Reading: The Liver Cleansing Diet by Dr Cabot The Immune System Cure by Lorna R Vanderhaegue and J D Bouic, PhD Healing Foods by Miriam Polunin Healing Foods by Jane Sen More Healing Foods by Jane Sen Prescription to Nutritional Healing by Phyllis and Balch MD Your Body's Many Cries for Water by F Batmanghelidji, MD. I hope that this truncated advice on diet is helpful. It may seem daunting at first, but if you adopt the basic principles you will be taking a step in the right direction for attaining a healthy eating lifestyle along with improved quality of life. You may say, 'I can't do that, I don't have the money or the time to do it and besides the kids won't stand for it', (I've heard this

so many times). Stop putting obstacles in your way, stop making excuses and for goodness sake don't use the kids as an excuse either. Firstly, it is not expensive. Remember the things that are expensive, are things such as cakes, biscuits, sweets, fizzy drinks, crisps, ready meals, etc. These foods are rubbish, they hold little or no nutritional value and by eating them you're doing yourself and your kids more harm than good. As for the time thing, well, what do you normally do with your time? Preparing and cooking food is enjoyable and is also good for you. The digestive juices get themselves geared up for the intake of food through the smell of the preparation and cooking. Your immune system (not to mention your liver) has been struggling with the onslaught of this virus for god knows how long, give it the ammunition it requires to put up the best possible fight for your future well being and your quality of life. Sue Parkinson How low will we go? Check out Messenger’s low PC-to-Phone call rates. Jackie

[Guest guest]

I totally agree,, the pregnancy will alone put added stress on her and with the increasing amount of blood volume, the liver will have to deal with that alone,, and if you start adding un necessary things at this time,, well its just harder on the liver, and should be waiting until after delivery of the baby to start anything new.. I mean, what IF she has some sort of allergic reaction to something, now would not be the time to risk that,, PLUS,,there are many herbs that can bring on a miscarriage.. so to be on the safe side,, I wouldnt take ANYTHING without talking with the ob/gyn FIRST..elizabethnv1 <elizabethnv1@...> wrote: I think with both hep c and being pregnancy great care should be taken to avoid anything unless the obgyn aproves .

Re: High ferritin levels hey tim, i am about 11 weeks pregnant do you know if it's safe for me to take milk thystle and silymarin?corrieJackie Jackie

[Guest guest]

>

> A doctor felt my sons' ferritin levels were high (esp for children) and said

this suggested viral issues.

Statements like this are devoid of meaning unless you include the actual number.

Otherwise we have no way to decide if we agree or disagree.

>

> One had elevated HHV6 + varicella (which he was vaccinated against) igG titers

and the other had elevated rubeola and varicella.

>

> We haven't taken any actions to address this specifically as I've gotten mixed

advice. I would appreciate if anyone has insight to share on this.

Elevated titers are NORMAL if they have either been vaccinated or had the

disease, and in fact that's all an elevated titer means. THey're not measuring

the virus, their measuring your own antibodies to it.

Andy

www.noamalgam.com

www.noamalgam.com/hairtestbook.html

[Guest guest]

> > A doctor felt my sons' ferritin levels were high (esp for children) and said

this suggested viral issues.

*** They were 115ng/mL (range 18-370).

And globulin was low, 1.7 g/dL (range 2.0-3.5). Is this significant?

Thanks a lot,

PJ

[Guest guest]

>

> A doctor felt my sons' ferritin levels were high (esp for children) and said

this suggested viral issues.

My son was high iron and also high virus. I don't know if the two are related

or just coincidental.

> One had elevated HHV6 + varicella (which he was vaccinated against) igG titers

and the other had elevated rubeola and varicella.

I eliminated herpes viruses [which would include HHV6 and varicella] with high

doses of lysine.

> We haven't taken any actions to address this specifically as I've gotten mixed

advice. I would appreciate if anyone has insight to share on this.

I eliminated high iron with IP6.

Dana