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  • What’s the Difference?: Herbal Remedies and Supplements vs. Western Medicine

    What’s the Difference?: Herbal Remedies and Supplements vs. Western Medicine Around the world, people consider the use of herbal remedies or supplements as a natural treatment for hepatitis B and/or D infection. These natural remedies have historically been advertised to boost the immune system and improve liver health. Herbal remedies or supplements are described as products made from botanicals or plants used to treat diseases and maintain health. They can be produced in a variety of forms including liquid extracts, teas, tablets/capsules, bath salts, oils, and ointments4. Why do people choose to use herbal remedies? The use of these products over time has social-cultural influences related to the distrust of and unfamiliarity with western medicine for management of hepatitis B or D infection. While herbal remedies have been used widely across cultures and contexts, patterns of racism, medical mistreatment, and inadequate delivery of care in western medicine have influenced the present state of treatment practices. In response to these barriers to sensitive and effective health care delivery, many groups such as Hmong and African communities often rely on herbal remedies and supplements to treat medical conditions and ease suffering. Silymarin, milk thistle, and Kampo medicine The distrust of western medicine has contributed to more widespread use of supplements such as silymarin (milk thistle) and Kampo medicine, as alternatives to manage hepatitis B or D infection. Many people believe that Silymarin can improve liver health through its antioxidant and free radical-fighting properties. Traditional Kampo medicine has been used for over 2,000 years to treat a variety of diseases including hepatitis B. One herbal treatment that is frequently used is bupleurum which many people believe can protect the liver or heal liver damage. Despite possible liver health benefits, neither supplement is a treatment for hepatitis B or D and may sometimes cause further harm to the

    https://www.hepb.org/blog/herbal-remedies-and-supplements/
  • Should I Take Milk Thistle?

          Silymarin or “milk thistle”, an herb and extract of milk thistle seeds, is a supplement commonly taken by people living with hepatitis across the world, yet its proven benefits remain controversial. It is not a treatment for hepatitis B or D, nor has it been shown to have any effect against fighting these viruses. This herb is believed to have possible benefits on liver health due to its antioxidant and free radical fighting properties, although no studies have found a consistent positive effect on viral load or fibrosis scores. U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) has published a directory of what scientific research has discovered about common herbal supplements. Probably the most popular herbal supplement pitched as a liver remedy is milk thistle, and its extract silymarin. The NIH milk thistle report found, “Results from clinical trials of milk thistle for liver diseases have been conflicting or haven’t been clinically meaningful. Some of the studies have been of poor quality, too.” The overall finding is that scientific research has not found any benefit of taking milk thistle. Silymarin is often taken by patients or suggested by their health care provider during or after interferon treatment ends, presumably with the hope of a protective or anti-inflammatory effect on the liver. But a 2013 study on hepatitis C patients unsuccessfully treated with interferon (the standard treatment for hepatitis B and D coinfection) found no significant difference in silymarin’s ability to lower ALT scores over placebo (a pill with no active drug ingredients)1. Another 2013 metanalysis reviewed 8 studies which tested silymarin against a placebo and looked for measurable levels of improvement in ALT scores, of which the results were mixed and inconsistent1. However, studies have found improvements in patients’ self-reported quality of life after taking silymarin 2 – perhaps due to decreased stress or self-perceived control over their

    https://www.hepb.org/blog/milk-thistle/
  • How To Talk To Your Doctor About Hep B in 5 Minutes

    … the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD). You should avoid articles that have anonymous authors, and avoid getting information directly from a website from a company that is trying to sell you something. Academic institutions are a great place to look for information, like a local university or peer-reviewed journal articles.  Review the Guidelines: There are several hepatitis B guidelines on how to prevent, treat, and manage hepatitis B. These are designed by medical experts to help doctors around the world make informed decisions about an individual’s status, and are a great source of information. While some individuals may not qualify for treatment, you can take the guidelines to your appointment and ask the doctor to explain why or why not you are a candidate for treatment at the moment. Just be sure to highlight the parts you wish to review beforehand! View the guidelines here.    The doctor is the expert - but so are you!: Doctors can be extremely knowledgeable, but you are the one living in your own body! While hepatitis B often does not have symptoms, other factors can have an impact on your infection. One example is medication. Some medications may interact negatively with your liver, which can have an impact on the virus and result in serious consequences. If you notice any changes in your body after taking a new medication, you should alert your doctor to prevent potential liver damage. Your doctor and pharmacist should always be aware if you are living with (or have recovered from) hepatitis B so they can prescribe proper medications, but if an error occurs, it is important to speak up!  Ensure you inform your doctor of any vitamins, supplements or herbal remedies you may be taking. Companies making these alternative therapies are not regulated so there may be no testing for quality and purity. You do not know what you’re getting from bottle to bottle or even dose to dose! Some alternative medicines can do more harm than good to your

    https://www.hepb.org/blog/talk-doctor-hep-b-5-minutes/
  • What is silymarin (milk thistle), and is it helpful for managing my hepatitis B and D?

      Silymarin, an herb and extract of milk thistle seeds, is a supplement commonly taken by hepatitis patients across the world, yet its proven benefits remain controversial. It is not a treatment for hepatitis B or D, nor has it been shown to have any effect against fighting the viruses. This herb is believed to have possible benefits on liver health due to its antioxidant and free radical fighting properties, although no studies have found a consistent positive effect on viral load or fibrosis scores 1 . Silymarin is often taken by patients or suggested by their health care provider during or after interferon treatment ends, presumably with the hope of a protective or anti-inflammatory effect on the liver. But a 2013 study on hepatitis C patients unsuccessfully treated with interferon (the standard treatment for hepatitis B and D coinfection) found no significant difference in silymarin’s ability to lower ALT scores over placebo, a pill with no active drug ingredients 2 . Another 2013 metanalysis reviewed 8 studies which tested silymarin against a placebo and looked for measurable levels of improvement in ALT scores, of which the results were mixed and inconsistent1. Interestingly, several studies have found improvements in patients’ self-reported patient quality of life after taking silymarin 1 - perhaps due to decreased stress or self-perceived control over their health. However, a 2012 study which randomly assigned patients either silymarin or placebo to measure possible declines in ALT or virus levels, in addition to self-reported quality of life, found little to no improvement in any of these outcomes3 regardless of whether they took milk thistle or a placebo. As mentioned in our previous blog post, the U.S. National Institutes for Health (NIH) has published a directory of what scientific research has discovered about common herbal supplements. Probably the most popular herbal supplement pitched as a liver remedy is milk thistle, and its extract

    http://www.hepb.org/blog/silymarin-milk-thistle-helpful-managing-hepatitis-b-d/
  • You Have Hepatitis B, Will Liver-Detox Diets or Supplements Help? Experts Weigh In

    Courtesy of Pixabay. By Christine Kukka Manufacturers and health “gurus” around the world market liver detox diets and supplements that promise to remove toxins, reduce inflammation, strengthen the immune system and help you lose weight. But do they help people with chronic hepatitis B? A team of Australian researchers examined these claims and concluded, “At present, there is no compelling evidence to support the use of detox diets for weight management or toxin elimination. “Considering the financial costs to consumers, unsubstantiated claims and potential health risks of detox products, they should be discouraged by health professionals and subject to independent regulatory review and monitoring,” the authors wrote in their report published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics. Let’s look at some of the diets and products the researchers evaluated. The Cleanser/Lemon Detox Diet that requires 10 days of drinking only lemon juice, water, cayenne pepper and tree syrup, along with sea salt water and a mild laxative herbal tea. Courtesy of Pixabay. The Liver Cleansing Diet featuring vegetarian, high-fiber, low-fat, dairy-free, minimally processed food for eight weeks, along with “liver tonics and Epsom salts.” Martha’s Vineyard Detox Diet: A 21-day regimen features vegetable juice and soup, herbal tea and special powders, tablets, cocktails and digestive enzymes. Dr Oz’s 48-hour Weekend Cleanse: A two-day program featuring quinoa, vegetables, fruit juices and smoothies, vegetable broth and dandelion root tea, and; The Hubbard purification rundown: This requires increasing doses of niacin with a range of A, D, C, E and B vitamins, a variety of minerals and a blend of polyunsaturated oils and mandates that adherents spend five hours in a hot sauna daily. According to researchers, none of these plans have been evaluated scientifically, which includes using a control group that receives a placebo instead of the treatment. The L. Ron

    http://www.hepb.org/blog/hepatitis-b-liver-detox-diets-supplements-worthwhile/
  • Will herbals, natural “remedies”, Ayurveda or Traditional Chinese Medicine, supplements, or vitamins and minerals control hepatitis B?

    We get many people living with chronic hepatitis B asking about various herbals and supplements. The Hepatitis B Foundation does not recommend using these, as they are not FDA approved. Health authorities in different countries also don’t vet the content of such herbs or supplements. This is because they are not tested or regulated for effectiveness, safety, and purity. This lack of regulation means that you do not know what you are getting from dose to dose. The lack of testing means that taking some of these could do more harm to your liver than good. At best, these “might” be supportive of the liver, but they will not change the course of the virus and the damage to the liver that the virus may be doing. Keep in mind that not everyone needs treatment, but if you do, please talk to a knowledgeable doctor about getting first line antivirals (tenofovir (TDF), tenofovir (TAF) or entecavir) to control and suppress the hepatitis B virus. We know many are often “prescribed” a potentially supportive vitamin complex. Unless you have a vitamin deficiency, you may benefit equally as well by focusing on eating a healthy, well-balanced diet. Here is more information on how to maintain a healthy liver. There are many people out there trying to sell you a “cure”, but we can assure you that at this time, chronic hepatitis B is not a curable disease. If it sounds too good to be true, it is not true. if this is your first time being diagnosed with hepatitis B, discuss with your doctor whether this is an acute or chronic infection. If this is an acute infection, it is likely that you will resolve the infection without the need for medication or supplements.  Find more Frequently Asked Questions here.  Page updated 02/09/2022

    https://www.hepb.org/what-is-hepatitis-b/faqs/will-herbals-natural-remedies-ayurveda-or-traditional-chinese-medicine-supplements-or-vitamins-and-minerals-control-hepatitis-b/
  • Blogs

    Blogs Hepatitis B Foundation Blog: CHIPO Partner Highlight: Hepatitis B Initiative of Washington, D.C. Hepatitis B Foundation Blog: What’s the Difference?: Herbal Remedies and Supplements vs. Western Medicine Hepatitis B Foundation Blog: Reactivation with Hepatitis B: Understanding Risk Factors and Prevention Strategies Hepatitis B Foundation Blog: CHIPO Partner Highlight: United States Coalition for African Immigrant Health Hepatitis B Foundation Blog: CHIPO Partner Highlight: Illinois Public Health Association Hepatitis B Foundation Blog: CHIPO Partner Highlight: Great Lakes Peace Centre Hepatitis B Foundation Blog: Happy NAIRHHA Day 2021! Hepatitis B Foundation Blog: CHIPO Is Looking for New Members! Hepatitis B Foundation Blog: Recap of NAIRHHA Day 2020 Celebration Hepatitis B Foundation Blog: The History of National African Immigrant and Refugee HIV & Hepatitis Awareness Day 2019 Hepatitis B Foundation Blog: Tackling Hepatitis B in Africa: The First Nigerian Hepatitis Summit Hepatitis B Foundation Blog: Hepatitis B and D Coinfection in Central Africa Hepatitis B Foundation Blog: Raising Awareness about Hepatitis B in African Immigrant Communities in the US Hepatitis B Foundation Blog: The History of National African Immigrant and Refugee HIV and Hepatitis Awareness Day 2019

    https://www.hepb.org/research-and-programs/chipo/resources/blogs/
  • Narrowing your Search Further

    You will see filters that will help you narrow your search on the left side of the page. Filters include “eligibility criteria” (age, gender, etc.), “study type.”, “Study Results”, Study Phase” and “Study Funder”. Across the top are additional search options: “By Topic, “On Map”, and “Search Details”. These additional filtering options narrow your search further, though you will find fewer search results, or possibly no available trials if you are too specific. By Topic Topics help to narrow your search by the specifics of your individual health condition. Available topics include: “Conditions,” “Rare Diseases,” “Drug Interventions,” “Dietary Supplements,” and “Sponsor/Collaborators.” “Conditions” is the default when you select “By Topic”. If you have hepatitis B and fibrosis, you can use the “fibrosis” filter to narrow your search. Click on “Drug Interventions” and page through listings to find clinical trials specific to HBV and the selected drug, such as entecavir, tenofovir or others. Click on “Dietary Supplements” and select options such as milk thistle, vitamin D or others to find trials pertaining to hepatitis B and the selected supplement.   The 'By Topic' tab will bring up a list of diseases to select. Remember, at any point you can select 'Modify Search' or 'Start Over' to alter your search. On Map You can narrow your search by world region or by state. Click on the third tab and you will find a map of the region you would like to see. It is interesting to see the location of all hepatitis B clinical trials. You can do so by initially inputting ‘hepatitis B’ and not selecting a country.  Search Details Scroll down for a list of search terms you can use to refine your search. For example, if you start with ‘hepatitis B’ with no location selected, you’ll see various HBV related terms, drugs, vaccines and more, which you can select for a refined list.  The 'Search Details' tab will open up this screen. This is a brief guide on locating a clinical trial for hepatitis B and may not address all your specific concerns. You may consider asking your doctor for more information about clinical trials and what best fits the needs of your condition. For additional guidance on locating on a clinical trial, visit the Locating Clinical Trials page the ClinicalTrials.gov website. 

    https://www.hepb.org/treatment-and-management/clinical-trials/locating-clinical-trials-2/
  • Blog Posts

    Why Is Hepatitis Delta So Hard to Eliminate? What You Need to Know About the 2022 Liver Meeting and How it Relates to Hepatitis Delta What's the Difference? Herbal Remedies and Supplements vs. Western Medicine Results from Hepatitis Delta Clinical Trials Announced at 2022 International Liver Congress Recent Roundtable Discussion Highlights Hepatitis Delta Virus 2022 - The Year of Hepatitis Delta Hepatitis B and Hepatitis Delta Eiger Presents Clinical Trial Results at the Liver Meeting Digital Experience 2020 New Drug to Treat Hepatitis Delta Approved by European Commisssion Does Hepatitis Delta Increase My Risk for Liver Cancer? Hepatitis Delta: Coinfection vs Superinfection I Have Hepatitis B. Could I Also Be Infected with Hepatitis Delta? The Medical Community Wakes Up to a Dangerous Threat to People with Hepatitis B – Coinfection with Hepatitis D

    https://www.hepb.org/research-and-programs/hepdeltaconnect/resources/blog-posts/
  • Healthy Liver Tips

    People living with chronic hepatitis B infection may or may not need drug treatment. But there are many other things patients can do to protect their liver and improve their health. Below is our list of the top 10 healthy choices that can be started today! Schedule regular visits with your liver specialist or health care provider to stay on top of your health and the health of your liver. Get the Hepatitis A vaccine to protect yourself from another virus that attacks the liver. Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking since both will hurt your liver, which is already being injured by the hepatitis B virus. Talk to your provider before starting any herbal remedies or vitamin supplements because some could interfere with your prescribed hepatitis B drugs or even damage your liver. Read more. Check with your pharmacist about any over-the-counter drugs (e.g. acetaminophen, paracetamol) or non-hepatitis B prescription drugs before taking them to make sure they are safe for your liver since many of these drugs are processed through your liver.  Avoid inhaling fumes from paint, paint thinners, glue, household cleaning products, nail polish removers, and other potentially toxic chemicals that could damage your liver.   Eat a healthy diet of fruit, whole grains, fish and lean meats, and lot of vegetables. “Cruciferous vegetables” in particular -- cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower -- have been shown to help protect the liver against environmental chemicals.  Avoid eating raw or undercooked shellfish (e.g. clams, mussels, oysters, scallops) because they could be contaminated with a bacteria called Vibrio vulnificus, which is very toxic to the liver and could cause a lot of damage. Check for signs of mold on nuts, maize, corn, groundnut, sorghum, and millet before using these foods. Mold is more likely to be a problem if food is stored in damp conditions and not properly sealed. If there is mold, then the food could be contaminated by “aflatoxins,” which are a known risk factor for liver cancer. Reduce your stress levels by eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, and getting plenty of rest.  Keep in mind everything you eat, drink, breathe, or absorb through the skin is eventually filtered by the liver. So protect your liver and your health.

    https://www.hepb.org/treatment-and-management/children-with-hepatitis-b/healthy-liver-tips/