April 11, 2012
SPRING SALE: Supplements from New York Buyers’ Club
It’s time for our SPRING SALE at the New York Buyers’ Club nonprofit nutritional supplements co-op.You’ll get 10% off the already low prices on NYBC’s extensive catalog of supplements, especially selected for quality and for evidence-based effectiveness in supporting health. Among the products on sale: SuperNutrition multivitamins; Nordic Natural fish oils; Jarrow brand CoQ10, B-right complex, Jarrodophilus, and glucosamine chondroitin; Green Vibrance (Vibrant Health); acetylcarnitine, NAC, and alpha lipoic acid (Montiff); and many others.
Just go to the NYBC online store at
and use coupon code COUP10 when you check out.
Place your order soon–this offer EXPIRES APRIL 30.
Questions? Call us toll-free at 800 650-4983, or email us at contact.nybc@newyorkbuyersclub.org
December 29, 2011
Vitamin D and hepatitis C
More Vitamin D news, as reported on the information website
http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/2010_conference/easl/docs/0518_2010_b.html :
Vitamin D supplementation increased the likelihood of sustained response to pegylated interferon plus ribavirin therapy for chronic hepatitis C, leading researchers to suggest that vitamin D deficiency may help explain well-known racial/ethnic disparities in treatment response, according to a presentation at the 45th Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL 2010) last month in Vienna. A recently published related study found that low vitamin D levels were associated with more severe liver fibrosis and poor treatment response.
In recent years, we have been much impressed by the flood of new research on Vitamin D’s health benefits. And it’s particularly interesting that many researchers are now focusing on Vitamin D deficiency as a contributing factor in racial/ethnic disparities in the rates of cardiovascular disease or, as here, in response to treatment for liver disease.
See further information about Vitamin D and cardiovascular health on this Blog, or in the NYBC entries under Vitamin D3 at
http://nybcsecure.org/index.php?cPath=25&sort=3a&page=2
September 24, 2011
Quercetin: New Study Suggests Its Potential for Hepatitis C Treatment
Quercetin has been available as a dietary supplement for decades. This plant-derived compound can be found in various foods, such as onions, apples, red wine, grapefruit juice, orange juice, pomegranate juice, as well as white, green and black teas. It is an antioxidant and has been shown to inhibit the oxidation of LDL cholesterol (the so-called “bad cholesterol”)–thus checking one of the primary processes implicated in the development of cardiovascular disease. It has also been investigated as a support for respiratory function.
But what excited us recently were reports about the potential of Quercetin to thwart the hepatitis C virus, and so perhaps provide a new, less toxic way of combating this debilitating disease that affects an estimated 270 to 320 million people worldwide. While there are currently approved treatments for hepatitis C (ribavirin and interferon), they can have significant side effects, and are not always effective. The recent Quercetin research, published in 2010, finds that this plant-derived compound may inhibit hepatitis C replication in a novel way, targeting cellular proteins rather than viral proteins. Clinical trials with Quercetin are now planned, and will focus especially on a type of hepatitis C that is least susceptible to successful treatment by the current medications. We will certainly stay tuned for more news on this topic!
NOTE: NYBC stocks Quercetin 500mg/100 and Quercetin 500mg/200
Reference:
Samuel W. French, et al. The heat shock protein inhibitor Quercetin attenuates hepatitis C virus production. Hepatology, Volume 50 Issue 6, Pages 1756 – 1764.
January 31, 2011
Supplements for Liver Health
NYBC has published an online guide to Liver Health, which you can access at
And, yes! You’ll find liver healthy supplements like silymarin, alpha lipoic acid and Chinese herbal formulas, all described in detail with usage recommendations in a special section of the NYBC catalog pages:
January 14, 2011
Which silymarin/milk thistle?
NYBC has expanded its offerings of the key liver supportive supplement MilkThistle (Silymarin). The Jarrow product, which has good quality control, continues as the standard silymarin offering:
http://nybcsecure.org/product_info.php?cPath=57&products_id=92
We are also stocking Milk Thistle/Silybin Advanced, which is designed for enhanced absorption:
http://nybcsecure.org/product_info.php?cPath=57&products_id=392
And we are stocking the Milk Thistle/Thisilyn Pro product from MMS, which, while more expensive than the others, is produced according to the proverbially exacting standards of the German pharmaceutical industry. Milk thistle being one of the classic items in the German herbal pharmacopoeia, we feel assured that there is extra careful quality control behind this item:
http://nybcsecure.org/product_info.php?cPath=57&products_id=408
As background, we provide NYBC’s capsule summary of how to use silymarin/milk thistle, what cautions should be observed, and what other supplements might be useful along with it:
A potent liver-strengthening herb, it stimulates the liver to regenerate itself by producing new liver cells as well as having strong antioxidant action to help prevent lipid-peroxidation of cell membranes. Given to seven patients receiving tuberculosis drugs (INH and ethambutol), a standardized silymarin extract normalized elevated liver enzymes after three months treatment. Many people with hepatitis C use milk thistle. It is extremely safe. Some studies suggest it may help to reverse the scarring known as fibrosis. Chilean researchers have discovered that silymarin increases glutathione in the liver, stomach and intestines by over 50% although it was not shown to increase GSH levels in other organs. Milk thistle may interact with cytochrome P450–specifically the 3A4 enzyme. This is important since it is used by many AIDS drugs. A study by Piscitelli, et al., happily, found no effect on the plasma level of indinavir (Crixivan). Now we needa study evaluating the potential benefit against the liver toxicities of drugs like nevirapine and ritonavir (Norvir). Anecdotal reports suggest that it may delay CD4 increases with ARV. See also entries on Dandelion Root as well as Hepato-C, Hepato-Detox and Ecliptex (Chinese Herbal Formulae).
December 14, 2010
Coffee good for hep C
Some relieving results for those of us with Hep C who just didn’t want to give up coffee.
October 30, 2010
Curcumin and Fatty Liver
Yet another study finds a potential benefit for curcumin, one of the active constituents in the spice, turmeric. In this test tube study, they found a mechanism that explains how it may be of benefit in treating a fatty liver disease called non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). This is a disease that can develop in people who are obese, have type 2 diabetes and is sometimes seen in people living with hepatitis C infection. It appears to interfere with the activity of a molecule, leptin, that, when levels are increased, can causes stellate cells to increase production of molecules (collagen) that result in scarring (fibrosis) of the liver. They also observed other potential mechanisms for action for curcumin.
As the authors say, it is about time for some clinical studies among humans! It is a safe, well-characterized agent and many humans have been using it for a long time. Does it work? Should it be prescribed?
May 6, 2010
Vitamin A improves response in Hep C
While we wait (ENDLESSLY due to Chiron’s greedy shenanigans) for better treatments that don’t require hideously toxic and costly interferon, there are ways to improve outcomes.
From the EATG:
05/05/2010
DDW: Vitamin A boosts response to HCV treatment
Early and sustained virologic responses to standard treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were markedly improved when patients also received high doses of vitamin A, results of a small trial showed.
After 48 weeks of treatment with standard doses of pegylated interferon-alpha2b, ribavirin (Rebetol), and 30,000 IU/day of vitamin A, 61.7% of patients had achieved sustained virologic responses, compared with 42.9% of patients taking only the standard therapies without the vitamin, Shuichi Sato, MD, of Shimane University in Izumo, Japan, said here.
The addition of vitamin A also boosted early virologic response rates assessed after 12 weeks: 70% of patients taking vitamin A plus the standard drugs had no HCV genetic matter in circulation, whereas only about 40% of patients on standard therapy alone showed viral negativity at that point.
Despite the very high doses of vitamin A tested in the 42-patient trial — the recommended daily intake of vitamin A in the U.S. ranges from 2,310 to 3,000 IU/day for adults — Sato said it appeared to have no adverse effects in the trial.
(click link above for the rest of the article)
January 18, 2010
Silymarin (milk thistle) for liver support
NYBC provides this description of the botanical Silymarin, also known as milk thistle:
Milk Thistle: Silymarin (Silybum Marianum). A potent liver-strengthening herb, it stimulates the liver to regenerate itself by producing new liver cells as well as having strong antioxidant action to help prevent lipid-peroxidation of cell membranes. Given to seven patients receiving tuberculosis drugs (INH and ethambutol), a standardized silymarin extract normalized elevated liver enzymes after three months treatment. Many people with hepatitis C use milk thistle. It is extremely safe. Some studies suggest it may help to reverse the scarring known as fibrosis. Chilean researchers have discovered that silymarin increases glutathione [a key intracellular antioxidant] in the liver, stomach and intestines by over 50%, although it was not shown to increase glutathione levels in other organs. Milk thistle may interact with cytochrome P450–specifically the 3A4 enzyme. This is important since it is the same pathway used by many AIDS drugs. A study by Piscitelli, et al., happily, found no effect of silymarin on the plasma level of indinavir (Crixivan). Now we need a study evaluating the potential benefit against the liver toxicities of drugs like nevirapine and ritonavir (Norvir). Anecdotal reports suggest that it may delay CD4 increases with ARV.
See also entries on Dandelion Root as well as Hepato-C, Hepato-Detox and Ecliptex (Chinese Herbal Formulas).
Note: NYBC stocks Milk Thistle/Silymarin 80% (Jarrow) [150mg/200 Caps]. Each capsule contains 150 mg of Milk Thistle standardized for 120 mg of Silymarin. This brand has smaller capsules since they do not use a turmeric base. Some find this more convenient to use. PWHIV and PWHCV use 3-6/day.
Suggested Usage: Take 1 to 3 capsules daily, or as directed by your qualified health consultant.
Milk Thistle in Latin is Silybum marianum. This 30:1 concentrate is standardized to contain 80% Silymarin from Milk Thistle seeds.
Silymarin is composed of three flavonoids: primarily Silybin and minor amounts of Silydianin and Silychristin, which support liver function by raising protective glutathione levels.
October 15, 2009
Milk Thistle Component: CURE FOR HEP C??
A paper out of Austria has some of us at NYBC VERY excited. Researchers looked at varying doses of a component of milk thistle known as silbinin, from 5 to 20 mg/kg/day over a period of 14 days. During the first 7 days, only the silbinin, which was injected, was administered. Subsequently, on day 8, pegylated interferon and ribavirin were given.
Most astonishingly, by the end of the 7 days, those receiving the 15 mg/kg dose saw a 2.11 log drop in their hepatitis C viral load. Those in the 20 mg/kg arm saw a whopping 3.02 log drop!! This in just 7 days? STUNNING!!
Unfortunately, adding the medication to these participants, who had already failed on IFN/riba therapy! resulted in the numbers deteriorating significantly. The silibinin treatment was very well tolerated.
Which raises a host of questions…would a higher dose work better? 25 or 30 mg/kg? What happens if the therapy is provided over a longer period?
This review wants to try it!
Ferenci P, Scherzer TM, Kerschner H, Rutter K, Beinhardt S, Hofer H, Schöniger-Hekele M, Holzmann H, Steindl-Munda P. Silibinin is a potent antiviral agent in patients with chronic hepatitis C not responding to pegylated interferon/ribavirin therapy. Gastroenterology. 2008 Nov;135(5):1561-7. Epub 2008 Aug 3.
Comment in: Gastroenterology. 2009 Jul;137(1):390-1.
Internal Medicine 3, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. peter.ferenci@meduniwien.ac.at
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Oral Silibinin (SIL) is widely used for treatment of hepatitis C, but its efficacy is unclear. Substantially higher doses can be administered intravenously (IV). METHODS: Pedigreed nonresponders to full-dose pegylated (Peg)-interferon/ribavirin (PegIFN/RBV) were studied. First, 16 patients received 10 mg/kg/day SIL IV (Legalon Sil; Madaus, Köln, Germany) for 7 days. In a subsequent dose-finding study, 20 patients received 5, 10, 15, or 20 mg/kg/day SIL for 14 days. In both protocols, PegIFN alpha-2a/RBV were started on day 8. Viral load was determined daily. RESULTS: Unexpectedly, in the first study, HCV-RNA declined on IV SIL by 1.32 +/- 0.55 log (mean +/- SD), P < .001 but increased again in spite of PegIFN/RBV after the infusion period. The viral load decrease was dose dependent (log drop after 7 days SIL: 0.55 +/- 0.5 [5 mg/kg, n = 3], 1.41 +/- 0.59 [10 mg/kg, n = 19], 2.11 +/- 1.34 [15 mg/kg, n = 5], and 3.02 +/- 1.01 [20 mg/kg, n = 9]; P < .001), decreased further after 7 days combined SIL/PegIFN/RBV (1.63 +/- 0.78 [5 mg/kg, n = 3], 4.16 +/- 1.28 [10 mg/kg, n = 3], 3.69 +/- 1.29 [15 mg/kg, n = 5], and 4.85 +/- 0.89 [20 mg/kg, n = 9]; P < .001), and became undetectable in 7 patients on 15 or 20 mg/kg SIL, at week 12. Beside mild gastrointestinal symptoms, IV SIL monotherapy was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: IV SIL is well tolerated and shows a substantial antiviral effect against HCV in nonresponders.
