The following are often recommended for liver disease:
- Ozone Therapy is based on the theory that by adding oxygen to areas where anaerobic organisms fluorish (those that can’t grow in oxygenated areas), healing should occur. If this is true, it would also destroy healthy body cells that also flourish in areas where oxygen is not present. Caution must be taken when considering this option.
- Alpha-Lipoic Acid Therapy is not generally recommended by the medical profession, only because there are not studies to confirm or deny its effectiveness. This frequently happens with alternative therapies. It is reluctantly admitted that this therapy, which uses the antioxidant enzyme helper of Alpha-Lipoic Acid, may just have some benefit in protecting the liver if it is administered intravenously soon after such poisonings as from mushroom or acetaminophen overdose. They have no available information regarding its use for other liver disorders, as in the case of acute hepatitis. Caution and complete investigation of the therapy should be undertaken prior to submitting to it, however. BUT, this is also good advice before using “conventional therapy” as well.
- Thymosin Therapy involves using hormones normally secreted by the thymus gland (thymosin, thymopoietin, and serum thymic factor). These hormones appear to stimulate the body’s production of interferon. People with low levels of these hormones are susceptible to liver infection. Thus, it is theorized that, by rebuilding these low hormone levels, the body will be in a better condition to fight off hepatitis viruses. The replacement is offered orally (Complete Thymic Formula by Preventive Therapeutics, Inc.) or by injection (Thymosin-alfa 1 by SciClone Pharmaceuticals). A study done showed that those with chronic Hepatitis C, who could not tolerate Interferon, did not respond to the oral thymosin therapy. However, there were mixed results when it came to testing the injectable. Alone, it did nothing, but when it was administered in conjunction with Interferon, it did provide some eradication of the hepatitis C virus.
- Metabolic therapies involve the use of megadoses of vitamins, a restricted diet, and coffee enemas. This therapy can be especially damaging to those with liver disease of any type. High doses of vitamin A can accelerate an acute liver dysfunction into severe liver damage. The coffee enemas are used with the reasoning that they will encourage the flow of bile and, therefore, release more of the toxins built up in the body. However, overuse can cause dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and loss of muscle tone in the colon, which will lead to constipation and other problems in the bowel.
- Megadose Vitamin Therapy is based on the theory that the higher the dose of vitamins, the faster the cure. This rarely happens and must be done under strict supervision by a knowledgeable professional. A consistent low dosage of vitamins, in conjuction with a healthy diet, is much more effective as a preventative measure than megadoses once damage is done. This puts too much strain on the liver. For example, high doses of Vitamin A has already been discussed, but high doses of Vitamin C can also promote the accumulation of iron, damaging the liver and exacerbating existing problems because of iron overload.
When using any form of therapy for combating liver disease, the primary physician should be informed. If he is not supportive in your desire to use alternative approaches, find one who will be willing to keep an eye on your progress and warn you of any negative effects that therapy may be having on the liver. Both practitioners should be willing to work together for the common good of the patient. However, do not be surprised if this idealistic comraderie is not available.
