Hepatitis C Virus – it is time to act

The number of hepatitis C-related deaths in the United States reached a record high in 2014, and the virus now kills more Americans than any other infectious disease.

According to preliminary data from U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there were 19,659 hepatitis C-related deaths in 2014 but those tragically high numbers aren’t necessary.

Why are so many Americans dying of this preventable and now curable disease?  It is because of ignorance and apathy and we need to change this via education programs which create awareness. Testing for hepatitis C and its early treatment need to become as routine as they are for high cholesterol and colon cancer. Only then will we see people living long and healthy lives and achieving their optimal potential.

If not diagnosed and treated, people with hepatitis C are at increased risk for liver cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer. People with undiagnosed hepatitis C may unknowingly infect others with the virus.

A new CDC study found that the number of hepatitis C-related deaths in 2013 exceeded the combined number of deaths from 60 other infectious diseases, including HIV which causes AIDS, and tuberculosis.

Most cases of hepatitis C are among baby boomers who were born between 1945 and 1965. According to the CDC, many were infected during medical procedures such as injections and blood transfusions when these procedures were not as safe as they are now. Many hepatitis C-infected baby boomers have lived with the disease for many years without knowing it, as it may not produce any symptoms until liver disease presents.

The preliminary data found a new surge of hepatitis C infections among injecting drug users, and these new early cases of hepatitis C infection more than doubled since 2010, increasing to 2,194 reported cases in 2014, the CDC found. The new cases were mainly among young whites with a history of injecting drug use who are living in rural and suburban areas of the Midwest and Eastern United States.

Hepatitis C virus infection often has few noticeable symptoms, which means that the number of new cases is likely much higher than what is reported. Due to limited testing and under reporting, it is estimated that the number of new infections is closer to 30,000 per year.

It is imperative that we act now to diagnose and treat silent infections before they become life-threatening and spread to others.

About 3.5 million Americans have hepatitis C and about half are unaware of their infection. Hepatitis C testing is recommended for everyone born from 1945 to 1965.

Over the last 2 years, new drugs that cure hepatitis in over 90% of cases have become available. These highly effective drugs can cure the vast majority of infections within three months and have a low incidence of side effects.

Natural remedies that help to protect the liver of hepatitis C patients

Here are some strategies you can easily incorporate into your life that should greatly improve your outcome if you have hepatitis C:

• Avoid becoming overweight.  It is very important to maintain a healthy weight, and especially to avoid carrying excess weigh on your abdomen.  Excess fat over your abdomen will creep into your liver and compromise its function.  Fat inside the liver worsens inflammation and it promotes fibrosis (scarring) in the liver.
• Maintain a healthy blood sugar level.  High blood sugar worsens scarring in the liver and can speed the progression to cirrhosis.  If you are a diabetic, it is vitally important to try and get your blood sugar as close to the ideal range as possible.  The ideal range is 65 – 97 mg/dL (3.6 – 5.4 mmol/L).  In many instances, type 2 diabetes can be reversed altogether.  See my book Diabetes Type 2: You Can Reverse It.  Diabetes and syndrome X both reduce the effectiveness of drug therapy for hepatitis C.
• There is no safe level of alcohol consumption for people with hepatitis C.  Alcohol raises the risk of developing cirrhosis (scarring) or liver cancer.  Likewise, cigarettes pose the same risks.
• The herb St Mary’s thistle has antiviral effects.  The active component of St Mary’s thistle is silybinin; this substance actually inhibits the replication of the hepatitis C virus, making it a vital component of the treatment plan for hepatitis C.  Livatone Plus contains St Mary’s thistle plus other herbs and nutrients to support healthy liver function.  Importantly, it contains selenium, which is a mineral that also has antiviral properties.
• Make sure you have an optimal blood vitamin D level.  You should ask your doctor for a blood test to find out what your level is.  Vitamin D deficiency promotes inflammation and scarring in the liver of hepatitis C patients.  5000 IU of vitamin D3 is an appropriate amount to take in supplement form for most people, but check with your doctor first.
• Drink some coffee.  Several studies have shown that regular coffee consumption is associated with lower rates of liver fibrosis in patients with hepatitis C.

There is a great deal more information in my free ebook Hepatitis and AIDS: How To Fight Them Naturally.

Reference: online May 4, Journal Clinical Infectious Diseases.

The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.