Hepatitis C Treatment Principles

Your case is unique, it requires an unique approach.

HCV is a RNA virus that has no repair mechanism, it mutates quite readily. The genetic structure of HCV varies greatly with some strains or genotypes being more virulent than others. Likewise the patient population with this illness varies widely; a few are dying, many are completely non-symptomatic. The Alchemist Lab Approach is not a one-size fits all program, but a tailored protocol.

Educate yourself, begin with an open mind and take the best of all worlds.

HCV is an enormous worldwide problem with its epicenter in asia. The increased complexity of genotypes in Asia show that it originated there. The non-sterile use of hypodermic needles in medical practice contribute to explosive case loads. The proliferation of Asian herbal treatments are due to the highly organized and integrated traditional medicines practiced in that part of the world.  It is also a testament to the scope of the problem in Asia.  Estimate of chronic hepatitis among the Chinese population is 4%

Both by honoring treatments that have withstood the test of time, as well as welcoming the quickening pulse of research, we take the best of both worlds. HCV turns into a chronic infection in the vast majority of acute exposures. Researchers have discovered how a protein in the viral coat of HCV disables an effective immune response.. This knowledge opened the door for an effective pharmaceutical approach based on protease inhibitors.

The distinction between natural and pharmaceutical is not cut and dry. The word drug comes from the olde English word, druga, which means dried herb. Many drugs come from botanical sources, and some herbs that we use such as artemisinin and oxymatrine are concentrated alkaloids, which blur the distinction between drug and herb.

With the economic and cultural globalization of the world comes the opportunity to reap the benefits of once unknown treatments.  Much of the current cutting edge of herbal research comes from the potent herbs of the Amazon rainforest which are finding there way to the world’s market.

In the face of persistent infection, we need a persistent response.

Most cases of Hep C that we treat were contracted long ago, before blood screening began in 1992 and during the heyday of IV drug use (not to imply those days have faded into oblivion). This is a slow-acting, yet tenacious virus and our approach to treat it takes patience. One rule of thumb is one month of treatment for every year of disease. Even the pharmaceutical treatments take a prolonged approach.

Alternative treatment, conventional treatment, healing the liver.

Our success in treating Hepatitis C is best illustrated by our patient’s repeat biopsies. In the 8 years of Alchemist Lab we have seen only one repeat biopsy in our patients that was worse than the previous one after our treatment. This was in a patient that was doing the program haphazardly and was deeply committed to his vices. In practicing medicine you want repeatable results and we are at that level of competency with dealing with the fibrotic damage of the liver.

At the same time our ability to knock out or down the virus is poor.  Again in medicine you want consistency and anti-viral treatments that work well with some are ineffective with others.  We have yet to find the holy grail of natural treatment that can routinely work as an anti-viral therapy for Hepatitis C. Conventional treatments at this time have far stronger anti-viral action and with the advent of protease inhibitors they are vastly improved over just interferon and ribavarin. At Alchemist Lab we are dedicated to researching and making available more robust anti-virals.  This week we launch a new herbal rainforest anti-viral tea, a jungle brew of Phyllanthus (Chanca Piedra), Cat’s Claw, Jergon Sacha, Picao Preto, and Sarasparilla.

How does the liver heal when the virus is still persistent? Because this virus is not directly cyto-toxic. What injures the liver is a cellular response that creates oxidative damage. Reactive oxygen species or ROS are the individual cells attempt to kill the virus. Quieting down the oxidative burden of the liver allows it to heal, even if the virus is still present.  One of our first patients taught us this lesson as his biopsy improved a full stage, yet his viral count quadrupled from near 1 million to 4 million. The liver is a very quick healing tissue. Think of the legend of Prometheus where vultures would pick apart his liver only to have it grow back each night.  Given the right milieu the liver heals.

Treat your liver well to get well, lower your toxic burden.

We live with dangerous chemicals ubiquitous in our environment. Having a compromised liver leaves us unable to detoxify our bodies. In the next generation, dentists will be sued for putting mercury in our teeth, as the tobacco companies are being sued now. The first step is not adding to your toxic burden. Many HCV patients are addictive personalities and still have destructive habits. If you smoke, switch to American Spirit Brand, which is chemical free. Better yet, QUIT! Many of you have stopped harder habits. Alcohol is like gasoline on a fire with HCV. Ecstasy deserves special mention in its neurotoxicity. Meth labs are chemical waste dumps. Psilocybin is tough on the liver, though generally organic is better.

Speaking of organic and chemical waste dumps, let’s talk about diet. What should I eat is a common question. In simple, avoid chemicals, hydrogenated and vegetable oils including canola, sugar, junk-food, and deep fried foods. Pay attention to where your fish comes from, farmed fish are fed grain pellets and don’t have the same beneficial oils as wild fish. On the A list: Leafy greens, artichokes, olive, flax, and coconut oils(coconut oil contains lauric acid which is an anti-viral), lemons, beets, fresh juices. Generally eat whole fresh food. Make your own salad dressings with high quality oils. Milk thistle can be pan toasted and ground up in coffee grinders, mixed with a little sea salt for a delicious condiment. Lecithin granules can be used on salads and will replace phosphatidyl choline which is a primary constituent.

Eat and live cleanly to give your liver a chance to heal.  If you have a toxic profession, protect yourself.  If you use toxic chemicals wear a respirator and chemical gloves.  Give your system a chance to detox.

Embrace change and emotional renewal.

In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) the liver is a primary seat of emotion and governs the free flow of Qi through the body. Chronic hepatitis creates stagnant and simmering emotionality. As the liver heals old resentments, anger have a chance to move and release, people lighten up. Find emotional help if you need it. Get free. When the liver heals you will change emotionally. Forgive.

Live well and see your case clearly.

Some live in complete denial of HCV, its easy to do as it is slow to be problematic. Others can be completely non-symptomatic yet live in complete anxiety of dying. In TCM, the eyes are the openings of the liver, see yourself clearly. This infection requires concerted action to treat it effectively. Yet it is treatable and the knowledge of Hep C and the methods to treat it will only improve. There is a point of balance of doing what you need to do to treat this chronic infection and then relaxing in faith rather than living in anxiety. Many people with HCV are basically healthy. This is not a prescription to not take action, but a perception of self. It is very helpful to be seen by a doctor who can accurately reflect your case.

How am I doing? See your case clearly.

In ascertaining the status of patients we take in many factors. There is a hierarchy of importance to the information we gather. The first is the biopsy report. This is the gold standard of disease progression. Likewise we look at ultrasound and ct-scan reports which provide a macro view of the liver and other abdominal organs. Next if the patient is physically present we do a physical exam, checking pulse, tongue, face, eyes, skin, legs, and abdomen. In the abdomen we palpate the liver, gall bladder, and spleen. Next we look at history and symptoms. Then we look at blood tests: Genotype, viral load, liver function panels. Looking at a gestalt of all the information gives a better viewpoint. For example a patient with a 19 million viral count, can have little disease progression, and one with half a million viral count can be end stage liver disease. Facts taken without context can be misleading.

With blood tests people overestimate the significance of liver enzymes and viral load results. These tests while important do not chart the progression of liver damage.  Platelet count, albumin, alpha-fetoprotein, bilirubin are more indicative of liver function and progression of disease than enzymes and viral load.  Fibrosure tests are largely inaccurate, and we do not recommend them. They are just the first attempt at judging the true state of the liver through a simple blood test and consequently a step in the right direction.  The next generation of tests, the Fibro-Spect promises to be more refined though we have not seen enough results to judge its accuracy.

We have developed a new system called AL for Alchemist Lab for staging Hepatitis C patients from blood tests.  It will be featured prominently on the website when we publish it.  It is based on platelets, the ratio of ALT to AST, albumin, bilirubin, age.  It also uses ALT and AST in certain situations to give more accurate readings.