Alpha Lipoic Acid and Hapatitis

Peter, I'm familiar with Dr. Berkson and his treatment.  However, because it is not medically approved for hep C, we cannot advocate it here.  I'm glad that it has been of help to you, though.

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hep93
Forum moderator - Hepatitis


"But that was yesterday, and I was a different person then."

Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

Peter, you are not the first to post here about Dr. Berkson and his treatment.  People are free to do what they please.  I merely stated that it does not have FDA approval; therefore, we can't support it.  However, people may use your information however they like.  Sorry you misunderstood.

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hep93
Forum moderator - Hepatitis


"But that was yesterday, and I was a different person then."

Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

I'd like to see proof that there are "no known ill side effects."

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"No good deed goes unpunished."

The only known potential side effect mentioned in the literature on Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) in a potential slight blood sugar effect on diabetics. If taken orally it should be taken with meals. If taking it intervenously it would be prudent to have a snack around if you are diabetic. There are numerous articles avaliable on Pub Med and via Google re. ALA and that is the only noted potential side effect. You might want to read Dr. Bertson's book on ALA or look at the research from Dr. Ames at U.C. Berkley who is one of the most award winning Biochemists in the world. He and his colleagues are touting ALA as a general anti-oxident. (For that purpose they recommend combining it with Carnitine.)
Peter F.

So, your revised answer is that there is at least one side effect. For some people it's a big side effect, to say the least. I have a liver transplant and due to my anti rejection meds, I now have type II diabetes. This side effect could cause severe side effects for me. That's the problem when people make claims for "perfect cures." I've seen plenty of stories from people who prayed and their cancer disappeared. Placebos often work for patients at times. I trust my doctors, as they've yet to make a wrong move. If your "cure" is so effective, I doubt they'd negate it, in favor of pharmaceutical companies profits. Many so called OTC products aren't tested by labs and in some cases aren't helpful, but could degrade the liver.

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"No good deed goes unpunished."

Don't think I didn't pick up on the FLEW vaccine, Rick.  (Rick likes to ruffle my feathers a bit, too.) 

Hugs,

Connie

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hep93
Forum moderator - Hepatitis


"But that was yesterday, and I was a different person then."

Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

Thks so much for posting this info
I just ordered the book about ALA off Amazon

I had just bought this supplement a few days ago and I was happy to hear this about

it. I had heard it was a good supplement to take with hep c.

hey all, i have been reading a lot about ALA. i post on the ms forums here and other high volume websites. from my experience with ALA, its greatest  upside is its ability to help with fatigue, and there is no shortage of fatigue between ms and hep c.  please correct me if i am wrong. ALA is usually combined with L- carnitine(all in one capsule). the carnitine provides energy(as in enegy drinks), and the ala is an anti oxidant that helps to utilize the food we consume, more efficiently. therefore diabetics acan reduce their dosage of insulin. i tried it and it helps with fatigue, i also needed to carry glucose tablets in my pocket, so i am neutral on this.        be well , barry  ( yes i have hep c also).

hey connie, l- car. and ala work together. yes, the l-car promotes energy metabolism and ala enhances its effect on fatigue. they work well, but the real story here are reports about neuro protective properties and hepatic protective properties from the ala.    barry

Peterf, I just want to say thank you for your post. I read it just over a year ago while my husband was extremely sick from Cirrhosis, and it gave me hope. I copied and pasted what you wrote and sent it to him in an email last year, and just found that old email which made me want to come back to this forum and thank you.

This time last year my husband was extremely ill, his skin looked green, he looked like a walking skeleton but his belly was huge as if he was 7 months pregnant, he had a MELD score of 28, and his Mom cried when she saw him on Thanksgiving. He could barely walk, he was extremely irritable and fatigued, and could barely sleep. He developed encephalopathy and crashed his car. He was hospitalized 3 times and racked up $200,000 in medical bills. He had to have 21 liters of fluid drained from his body. Many people around him thought he was going to die, and his doctors said his only hope was a transplant and they also told him he would probably have to go on disability.

One year later, he is doing great. He's gained back all his weight, he no longer has ascites, he's off almost all his diuretics, his MELD score is an 8, his liver doctor said his liver function tests are NORMAL. He has followed the Burt Berkson protocol for the last year (Milk Thistle, Selenium and Alpha Lipoic Acid). He has never had IV Alpha Lipoic acid treatments (not that we wouldn't have liked to do it but we just didn't have the time or money to travel to New Mexico). He's just weaned himself off his horribly-dangerous PPI's, thanks to Probiotics, Apple Cider Vinegar and Aloe Vera Juice.

We bought a PEMF machine and I really think this has helped him as well. about a month ago we were walking up a parking structure that was 5 stories tall and he basically left me panting in the dust as he briskly walked to the top. Best of all, he is CHEERFUL again. I am really amazed by his recovery. I even started a whole blog dedicated to letting people know what has worked for my husband. And I'm trying to encourage people to learn from our (many) mistakes!

Thank you again for writing what you did. When things were at their worst, I was desperate for answers and hope, and it was people like you, with stories like yours, that kept us going.

And of course, I am very proud of my husband for being sober for over a year, and for being willing to take so many supplements and try alternative treatments that really do work!