Archive for 'liver disease'

Learn About a Juice Fast

Saturday, August 14th, 2010 at 10:14 pm  
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A juice fast is a type of detox diet. A juice fast involves the short-term intake of raw vegetable and fruit juice and water only. Proponents of juice fasting use juice because it’s thought to be a good source of vitamins and antioxidants.

A juice fast is considered an extreme form of detoxification because no solid food is consumed. More moderate detox methods, such as the detox diet include solid food.

Pregnant or nursing women or children shouldn’t try a juice fast. People with diabetes, low blood sugar, eating disorders, , liver disease, malnutrition, addictions, underweight, anemia, impaired immune function, infection, nutritional deficiency, low blood pressure, ulcerative colitis, cancer, terminal illness, epilepsy, or other chronic conditions shouldn’t try a juice fast or should do so only under strict medical supervision. People shouldn’t try a juice fast before or after surgical procedures. A juice fasting can reduce blood proteins and change the way prescription drugs react in the body. People taking prescription medications should consult a health professional skilled in detoxification before trying a juice fast, and should never discontinue or reduce their medications on their own.

It’s important to consult a qualified health professional before trying a juice fast.

Common temporary side effects of a juice fast include headaches, tiredness, hypoglycemia, constipation, acne, increased body odor, and bad breath.

Other side effects of a juice fast can include fainting, dizziness, low blood pressure, heart arrhythmias, weight loss, hunger, vomiting, diarrhea, and kidney problems. If these side effects occur, there is a worsening of symptoms, or new symptoms appear, the fast should be discontinued and it should prompt an immediate visit to a qualified health professional.

Another possible side effect of a juice fast is diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration and electrolyte loss.

If continued for a longer time, juice fasting can lead to nutrient deficiencies, particularly protein and calcium deficiency.

Grapefruit juice should not be used during a juice fast, especially by people taking certain prescription drugs. A compound in grapefruit can change the way certain prescription drugs are metabolized in the body. Recent evidence suggests that pomegranate juice may also have the same effect.

A juice fast typically lasts for one to three days. A longer fast requires medical supervision and possibly monitoring to ensure that nutrient deficiencies don’t result.

Proponents of juice fasting suggest fasting only during the warmer months of the year. Spring is thought to be the best time of the year for juice fasting. Seven or more days before the fast, alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, sugar, dairy, wheat, animal meat, fish, and eggs are typically reduced or eliminated from the diet. This preparation diet often consists mainly of organic fruits, vegetables, and beans. Between 32 and 64 ounces of juice is usually recommended per day during the fast. The juice is sipped throughout the day. Typical fruits and vegetables include celery, carrot, kale, cabbage, apple, pineapple, cranberry, spinach, beet, and greens. Citrus fruits are often avoided. Approximately 6 glasses of room temperature or warm filtered water is often recommended in addition to the juice. Organic fruits and vegetables are usually recommended. If organic produce isn’t available, practitioners suggest peeling the skin off fruits and vegetables or washing vegetables with a non-toxic produce cleaner, usually available at . Freshly juiced fruits and vegetables are preferred, but if unavailable, practitioners suggest buying it from the health food store or juice bar as fresh as possible. Green vegetables and sprouts contain the pigment chlorophyll, which juice proponents believe are especially beneficial during a juice fast. A combination of fruits and vegetables is recommended. Variations on the strict juice fast include eating one meal a day in addition to the juice.Certain fruits and vegetables and their parts should not be juiced, such as the pits of peaches, apricots, cherries, and other fruits, apple seeds, citrus peels, carrot and rhubarb tops, tough skins (such as kiwi, pineapple, mangoes), and bananas and avocados.

There should be a gradual return to solid foods. Read the sample guidelines on how to break a fast.

Tags: immune function, cancer terminal, blood proteins, kidney disease, Health Medical Pharma

SAMe

Friday, August 13th, 2010 at 12:50 am  
Comments (51)

Also known as: SAM-e, S-adenosylmethionine

The supplement SAMe is a synthetic form of a compound formed naturally in the body from the essential amino acid methionine and adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy-producing compound found in all cells in the body. It was first discovered in 1953.

SAMe is believed to work by being a methyl group donor in many reactions in the body. After donating the methyl group, it is converted to a compound called S-adenosyl-homocysteine.

Osteoarthritis

There have been a number of studies on the effectiveness of SAMe in the treatment of osteoarthritis. SAMe appears to diminish osteoarthritis pain as effectively as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication. It appears to be well-tolerated.

Depression

There have been a number of studies on the use of SAMe for depression. It has been hypothesized that SAMe increases the availaibility of neurotransmitter serotonin and dopamine.

Liver disease

Some evidence suggests that SAMe may help people with liver disease. Preliminary research suggests it may help to normalize liver enzyme levels and help with cholestasis.

The safety of SAMe during pregnancy and during breastfeeding is unknown.

People with bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders and other psychiatric conditions should only use SAMe under the supervision of their healthcare provider. SAMe has been associated with hypomania and mania.

The most common side effects are digestive complaints, particularly nausea. Other side effects include skin rash, lowered blood sugar, dry mouth, blood in the stool, thirst, increased urination, headache, hyperactivity, anxiety and insomnia.

People with Parkinson’s disease should avoid SAM-e.

Tags: treatment of osteoarthritis, bipolar disorder, dry mouth, liver disease, S-Adenosyl methionine

Saw Palmetto and Hair Loss

Wednesday, August 11th, 2010 at 3:01 am  
Comments (61)

Q. What can you tell me about saw palmetto? I read that it’s a good herbal remedy for hair loss and baldness.

-Jason

Answer: Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens or Sabal serrulata) is a dwarf palm plant native to . It primarily grows along the Atlantic coast in Georgia and Florida. The active ingredients are believed to be found in the plant’s brown-black berries.

Saw palmetto was a popular folk remedy used by Native Americans to treat urinary conditions in men and breast disorders in women.

It has become an accepted treatment for symptoms associated with benign prostate gland enlargement (called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH) in many parts of Europe and in New Zealand. In North America, saw palmetto is considered an alternative herbal remedy for BPH.

Saw palmetto is also popular as an herbal remedy for a type of hair loss and baldness called androgenic alopecia, or male- and female-pattern baldness. This type of hair loss is typically the greatest at the top of the head or around the temples.

Although we still don’t know exactly how it works, it’s believed that it may block an enzyme (5-alpha-reductase) from allowing the hormone testosterone from being converted to another hormone, dihydrotestosterone. Dihydrotestosterone is considered a key contributing factor to the onset and progression of androgenic alopecia and benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Saw palmetto has also been found to affect the levels of sex hormones such as testosterone and estrogen in other ways.

Much of saw palmetto’s popularity as a remedy for hair loss and baldness, however, is based on how it’s believed to work rather than on evidence that it actually does. Although there have been some lab studies showing that saw palmetto can inhibit 5-alpha-reductase, there are no well-designed clinical studies showing that saw palmetto can cause hair growth, or stop hair loss or baldness from progressing. One of the only published trials on saw palmetto for baldness is a small study involving 10 men with mild to moderate male pattern baldness. Although promising, the study was too small to provide meaningful evidence.

Like most other herbal supplements, saw palmetto has potential side effects. The most common side effects associated with saw palmetto use are mild stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and bad breath. Some men taking saw palmetto have reported erectile dysfunction, breast tenderness or enlargement, and changes in sexual desire.

There have been rare case reports describing liver inflammation, pancreatitis, jaundice, headache, dizziness, insomnia, depression, breathing difficulties, muscle pain, , chest pain, abnormal heart rhythm, , and , but it’s not clear that these side effects were directly caused by saw palmetto.

Although it hasn’t been well-demonstrated in humans, saw palmetto may influence levels of sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone. Until we know more, people with hormone-sensitive conditions, such as breast cancer, should use caution. Also, saw palmetto could theoretically interfere with and hormone therapy.

At least two case reports have linked saw palmetto with severe bleeding. People with bleeding disorders or who are taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications (“blood-thinners”)–such as warfarin (Coumadin), aspirin, or clopidogrel (Plavix)–should avoid taking saw palmetto unless under medical supervision. It should also be avoided at least two weeks before and after surgery.

The safety of saw palmetto for pregnant or nursing women, children, or people with kidney or liver disease hasn’t been established.

Sources
Bressler R. Herb-drug interactions. Interactions between saw palmetto and prescription medications. Geriatrics. (2005) 60.11: 32- 34.

Prager N, Bickett K, French N, Marcovici G. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of botanically derived inhibitors of 5-alpha-reductase in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. J Altern Complement Med. (2002) 8.2: 143-152.

Ulbricht C, Basch E, Bent S, Boon H, Corrado M, Foppa I, Hashmi S, Hammerness P, Kingsbury E, Smith M, Szapary P, Vora M, Weissner W. Evidence-based systematic review of saw palmetto by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration. J Soc Integr Oncol. (2006) 4.4: 170-186.

Wilt TJ, Ishani A, Stark G, MacDonald R, Lau J, Mulrow C. Saw palmetto extracts for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review. JAMA (1998) 280.18: 1604-1609.

Tags: saw palmetto, androgenetic alopecia, breast cancer, stomach pain, Medicinal plants

Valerian

Monday, August 9th, 2010 at 4:51 am  
Comments (53)

Other names: All-heal, Amantilla, Setwall, Setewale, Capon’s Tail, Valeriana officinalis

Valerian is a plant native to Europe and Asia. It grows to up to four feet high and has trumpet-shaped flowers. The roots are used medicinally. Although the fresh root is relatively odorless, the dried root has a strong odor that many find unpleasant.

Valerian is believed to have been used since at least the time of ancient Greece and Rome. It was used as a folk remedy for a variety of conditions such as sleeping problems, digestive complaints, nervousness, trembling, tension headaches and heart palpitations. Valerian’s popularity waned with the introduction of prescription sleep medication.

There is no consensus on what the active constituents of valerian are. It’s possible that valerian’s activity may result from a combination of compounds rather than any one. Valerian appears to increase the body’s available supply of the neurotransmitter gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), possibly by increasing its production, decreasing its absorption or slowing its breakdown.

Valerian can be found in capsule, tea, tablet or liquid extract forms in most , some drugstores and online.

Insomnia

The use of valerian is supported by some evidence from clinical studies. The problem with many of the studies, however, is they’ve generally been small, used different amounts of valerian for varying lengths of time, or had problems with the study design, making it impossible to form a conclusion about the effectiveness of valerian.

Valerian appears to be less effective than prescription sleep medication. One possible advantage of valerian, however, is that it may not have as much of a “hangover” effect on mental or physical functioning the following day. Also, people taking sleeping pills sometimes have a temporary worsening of insomnia when they are discontinued, an effect that hasn’t been reported with valerian.

Anxiety

Valerian is also used for anxiety, although there’s insufficient evidence that it’s effective.

Pregnant or nursing women and children should not use valerian.

People taking medications for insomnia or anxiety, such as benzodiazepines, should not combine these medications with valerian.

Side effects of valerian may include headache, dizziness, itchiness, upset stomach, drowsiness during the daytime, dry mouth and vivid.dreams.

Rarely, liver damage has been associated with the use of valerian. It’s not certain whether the cause of the liver damage was due to valerian itself or to contaminants in the product. Until we know more, people should use valerian only under the supervision of a qualified health care practitioner and those with liver disease should avoid it. Although liver damage doesn’t always produce noticeable symptoms, if excessive tiredness, intense itching, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, pain or discomfort in the upper right side of the abdomen, or a yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin occurs, see your doctor immediately.

Valerian may cause excessive sleepiness or daytime drowsiness if combined with other drugs that cause drowsiness, such as the benzodiazepines Ativan (lorazepam) or Valium (diazepam), some antidepressants, narcotics such as codeine, and barbituates such as phenobarbitol, or with over-the-counter sleep and cold products containing diphenhydramine and doxylamine.

It may also cause excessive sleepiness if taken with herbs thought to have a sedative effect, such as hops, catnip and kava.

Valerian is broken down in the liver. Theoretically, it could interfere with the effectiveness of medications that are broken down by the same liver enzymes, such as: allergy medications like Allegra (fexofenadine)
cholesterol medication such as Mevacor (lovastatin)
antifungal drugs such as Sporanox (itraconazole) and Nizoral (ketoconazole)
cancer medications such as Camptosar (irinotecan), Etopophos, Vepesid (etoposide), Gleevec (STI571), Taxol (paclitaxel), Velbe (vinblastine) or Oncovin (vincristine) Sources:

Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J, eds.: Valerian root. In: Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Newton, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications, 2000: 394-400.

Tags: four feet, ancient greece, Muscle relaxants, Nizoral (ketoconazole) cancer, excessive tiredness

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