Blueberries Offer Hope for Hepatitis C
August 13, 2009
Japanese researchers have found evidence that an extract from blueberry leaves hinders Hepatitis C viral replication.
Blueberry supplement could help treat hepatitis C
August 8, Charlotte Health and Happiness Examiner Kathleen Blanchard RN
Results of a new and promising study show that a supplement made from blueberry leaves could help treat hepatitis C. Researchers from Japan found that beneficial chemicals in blueberry leaves can stop replication of the hepatitis C virus.
So far, treatment of hepatitis C yields standard results that are fairly successful, but with no guarantees. The hepatitis virus can lead to cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer. Hepatitis C, spread from dirty needles, at unsanitary tatto parlors, and from body fluids, affects 200 million individuals worldwide.
Researchers at the University of Miyazaki and elsewhere in Japan found that a particular type of blueberry leaf shows much promise for treatment of hepatitis C from the leaves of rabbit-eye blueberry (native to the southeastern US).
The researchers found that by purifying the chemical compound proanthocyandin, found in blueberry leaves, a safe and effective supplement could be developed to help treat hepatitis C.
The study showed that proanthycyandin, found in blueberry leaves, could stop hepatitis C virus replication at levels far below those that would produce toxic side effects from proanthycyandin.
The new discovery that a non-toxic blueberry supplement could help treat hepatitis C shows much promise for individuals subjected to daily injections and antiviral drugs with harsh side effects currently used to treat hepatitis C.
There is no vaccine for hepatitis C.
JBC.org
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Posted by Editors at August 13, 2009 9:29 AM
