Combat Hepatitis C With Chlorella & Spirulina

Hepatitis C is a virial Disease that leads to swelling and inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis C infection is caused by the Hepatitis C Virus. You can catch hepatitis C if the blood of someone who has hepatitis C enters your body. Exposure may occur:

• After a needle stick or sharps injury
• If blood from someone who has hepatitis C contacts a cut on your skin or contacts your eyes or mouth

People at risk of hepatitis C are those who:

• Inject street drugs or share a needle with someone who has hepatitis C
• Have been on long-term kidney Dialysis
• Have regular contact with blood at work (such as a health care worker)
• Have unprotected sexual contact with a person who has hepatitis C
• Were born to a mother who had hepatitis C
• Received a tattoo or acupuncture with needles that were not disinfected properly after being used on another person (risk is very low with practitioners who have a tattoo license or permit or an acupuncture license)
• Received an organ transplant from a donor who has hepatitis C
• Share personal items, such as toothbrushes and razors, with someone who has hepatitis C (less common)
• Received a blood transfusion (rare in the U.S. since blood screening became available in 1992)

Symptoms

Most people who are recently infected with Hepatitis C do not have symptoms. Some people have yellowing of the skin (jaundice) that goes away. Chronic infection often causes no symptoms. But tiredness, skin disorders, and other problems can occur. Persons who have long-term (chronic) infection often have no symptoms until their liver becomes scarred (cirrhosis). Most people with this condition are ill and have many health problems.
The following symptoms may occur with Hep C infection:

• Pain in the right upper abdomen
• Abdominal swelling due to fluid (ascites)
• Clay-colored or pale stools
• Dark urine
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Itching
• Jaundice
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 3.2 million Americans are infected with Hepatitis C (HCV), and because the symptoms can be silent, many don’t even know they have it!  It attacks the liver, and if left untreated can evolve into cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) or liver cancer.  Fortunately, chlorella, a green, plant-like algae, is a demonstrated weapon against the disease… and a safeguard if you haven’t been diagnosed.

Researchers from Northgate Hospital in Springfield Massachusetts treated 18 chronic HCV patients with chlorella for three months.  They used a control group made up of 26 HCV patients treated conventionally with interferon, a drug used to boost the immune system and fight infectious diseases.  Subjects were given 1000 milligrams of chlorella the first week, followed by 1500 milligrams in subsequent weeks and added to 30 milliliters of chlorella liquid.

To track the effects of chlorella on HCV, researchers measured the levels of 2 enzymes in the liver—aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)—at the beginning and end of the 12-week trial.  These liver enzymes spike when the liver is besieged by infection or chemical toxicity.  After a three-month treatment of chlorella, however, 70% of patients saw a reduction in AST levels, and the majority of patients exhibited lower ALT levels as well.

Results also showed an improvement in the patients’ immune systems.  Researchers measured genetic changes in viral RNA levels, which tell of the degree and strength of the infection and viral load.  Dramatic improvement was noted.
Meanwhile, how did the control group treated with interferon do?  Those patients experienced no decrease in liver enzymes and no boost of the immune system.

Wait let's not forget spirulina!!

Chlorella isn’t the only algae proven effective against HCV. A six-month study conducted by Egyptian researchers in 2012 showed that spirulina, a blue-green algae, was able to lower liver enzymes, particularly AST, and improve HCV symptoms more effectively than silymarin, the active HCV-fighting compound in milk thistle.

Both chlorella and spirulina boast remarkable health-enhancing properties. Spirulina has about 25% more protein by weight than chlorella, but they each contain 20 amino acids and a plenitude of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. Consider adding chlorella or spirulina in the form of a capsule or powder to your daily vitamin regimen to ensure optimal health and wellness.

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Herbs That Can Cause A Miscarriage; & Those Safe to Take While Pregnant

While pregnant or trying to get pregnant it is important to be aware of the possible effects of the herbs you may consider ingesting. Herbs may contain substances that can cause miscarriage. premature birth, uterine contractions, or injury to the fetus. Few studies have been done to measure the effects of herbs on pregnant women or fetuses. 

Depending on the source, some information will list a herb safe to consume during pregnancy, whereas another source may list the herb as unsafe.

Some organizations that specialize in herbs have done extensive testing on their safety. Often these organizations will list herbs with their safety ratings for the general population and for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding. These ratings can often be confusing and hard to interpret; this is why speaking with a professional who is familiar with using herbs is recommended.

One key thing when understanding the safety ratings is to pay attention to what type of use the rating is for. For example, the rating for rosemary is considered likely safe when used orally in amounts typically found in foods. 

But in pregnancy, rosemary is considered possibly unsafe when used orally in medicinal amounts. Because rosemary may have uterine and menstrual flow effects, it is best to avoid using it. There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of the topical use of rosemary during pregnancy. This is a prime example of how the method of use of the herb changes its safety rating.

We know that rosemary sprinkled in your tomato sauce is not a risk to you and your baby. 

However, if you were to use rosemary in a large dose, like that used in medicinal amounts, it could be dangerous for your pregnancy. The same goes for herbs such as garlic, sage, and turmeric. All of these herbs could be contraindicated in pregnancy when used in large or concentrated doses, but are considered safe when used in amounts found in food.

The following herbs are considered LIKELY UNSAFE or UNSAFE during pregnancy:

• Saw Palmetto - when used orally, has normal activity

• Goldenseal - when used orally may cross the placenta

• Dong Quai - when used orally, due to uterine stimulant and relaxant effects

• Yohimbe - when used orally

• Pau D' Arco - when used orally in large doses; contraindicated

• Passion Flower - when used orally

• Black Cohosh - when used orally in pregnant women who are not at term

• Blue Cohosh - when used orally; uterine stimulant and can induce labor

• Roman Chamomile - when used orally in medicinal amounts

• Pennyroyal - when used orally or topically

Depending on what type of health care provider you see, he/she may recommend using herbs to promote the health of your pregnancy. Because each pregnancy is different, the best way to use herbs is under the care of a midwife, herbalist, doula, naturopathic or homeopathic doctor.

Choosing to use herbs during pregnancy is a personal choice, but to ensure the best outcome for you and your baby, you should be well educated on the types of herbs, parts of the herb (root, leaf, etc...), and the way they could be used (caplet, tonic, tea). The herbs that are considered safe to use during pregnancy are often food or tonic herbs. These are typically found in either tablet, tea, or infusion form.

Common Herbs Used in Pregnancy

The following herbs have been rated Likely Safe or Possibly Safe for use during pregnancy:

• Red Raspberry Leaf - rich in iron, this herb has helped tone the uterus, increase milk production, decrease nausea, and ease labor pains. Some studies have even reported that using red raspberry leaf during pregnancy can reduce complications and the use of interventions during childbirth. You may see pregnancy teas that are made from red raspberry leaf to help promote uterine health during pregnancy. There is some controversy about whether this should be used throughout pregnancy or just in the second and third trimester, so many health care providers remain cautious and only recommend using it after the first trimester.
• Peppermint leaf - helpful in relieving nausea/morning sickness and flatulence
• Ginger root - helps relieve nausea and vomiting
• Slippery elm bark - (when the inner bark is used orally in foods) used to help relieve nausea, heartburn, and vaginal irritations
• Oats & Oat straw - rich in calcium and magnesium; helps relieve anxiety, restlessness, and irritated skin
• Blond psyllium - when used orally and appropriately
• Black psyllium - when used orally with appropriate fluid intake
• Garlic - when used orally in amounts commonly found in foods
• Capsicum (Cayenne, hot pepper) - when used topically and appropriately

The following herbs have been rated as having Insufficient Reliable Information Available by the Natural Medicine Database, even though many are recommended by homeopathic physicians, herbalists, and midwives who treat pregnant women.

More extensive research and discussions with your treating health care provider will help you make the decision and about what herbs are safe for you to use.

• Dandelion - Rich in Vitamin A, Calcium, and Iron; dandelion root and leaf can also help relieve mild edema and nourish the liver
• Chamomile (German) - High in Calcium and Magnesium, also helps with sleeplessness and inflammation of joints
• Nettles (Stinging Nettle) - High in Vitamins A, C, K, Calcium, Potassium, and Iron. Used in many pregnancy teas because it is a great all-around pregnancy tonic. Note on the safety of Nettles: The Natural Medicines Database gives Nettles a rating of Likely Unsafe, even though it is used in countless pregnancy teas and recommended most midwives and herbalists. This may be contingent upon which part of the Nettle plant is used (the root or the leaves) and how much is used According to other sources, the use of Nettles is encouraged during pregnancy because of its health benefits

The following are commonly used herbs which have a safety rating of Possibly Safe when used orally. Again, these are herbs you would want to do more extensive research on these and discuss with your health-care provider before using. 

• Aloe
• Ginseng (American & Korean)
• Evening Primrose
• Laxatives such as castor oil

While research shows that it can, in fact, bring on contractions, it also has a host of side effects, ranging from diarrhea to potentially dangerous dehydration. So if you're deciding whether to ingest this unpleasant tonic, it's essential to carefully weigh the pros and cons-and consult your health care provider first.

• Feverfew
• Kava Kava
• Senna

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