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by Thomas Bayne, DC
Liver disease is the third leading disease-related cause of
death for Americans aged 25-59. Hepatitis and cirrhosis are
particularly common liver disorders that are part of the degenerative
cascade of liver disease that starts with inflammation and
swelling and develops into fatty degeneration, cirrhosis,
and cancer.1
Two live protein extracts are regularly employed in treating
liver disease: thymus proteins are used to increase the hosts’
resistance and are responsible for cell-mediated immunity,
and liver proteins to improve the regenerative capabilities
of the liver. Researchers have recently indicated
Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF), as one of the many proteins
and growth factors found in the liquid liver extract.
Clinical applications of HGF represent an exciting
new direction in the treatment of liver disease. This
article will define the disorders and discuss treatments using
biologically active proteins such as HGF found in liver extract,
combined with thymus gland proteins, to modulate immune response,
stimulate liver regeneration, accelerate hepatic function,
reverse fibrosis and cirrhosis.
Hepatitis is defined as an inflammation of the liver that
is associated with cellular damage or death of the liver cell.
There are two forms of hepatitis: acute hepatitis,
which is typically self-limiting, and chronic hepatitis, which
may be benign but sometimes develops into progressive liver
damage often leading to cirrhosis, hepatic failure and death.2
Symptoms of hepatitis include extreme fatigue, loss of appetite,
weight loss, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Dark
urine typically appears within 3-10 days and is followed by
a yellowing of the skin, called jaundice. Jaundice takes
7-10 days to develop and 2-4 weeks to fade away. The
liver is usually enlarged and tender to palpation. The
most common cause of hepatitis is contamination by virus.
The American liver foundation identifies five different viruses
that cause hepatitis: the A, B, C, D and E viruses.
Hepatitis A is usually a benign
self-limiting disease that accounts for 20-25% of the cases
of acute hepatitis.2
It does not cause chronic hepatitis or a carrier state and
so the fatality rate is about 0.1%.3
Hepatitis B (HBV)
can produce an asymptomatic carrier state, acute hepatitis,
chronic hepatitis, progression of chronic disease to cirrhosis,
and/or fulminant hepatitis with massive liver necrosis.2
HBV also plays a prominent role in the progression of hepatocellular
carcinoma. Hepatitis C
(HCV) is mostly transfusion-associated with as many as 60%
of acute HCV infections progressing to chronic hepatitis.
HCV is responsible for at least 30% of the cases of
fulminant viral hepatitis.4
Hepatitis D only develops
when there is concomitant hepatitis B infection and is relatively
uncommon in the United States.2
Hepatitis E (HEV) is responsible
for large epidemics of acute hepatitis in Asia, the Middle
East, Africa, and Mexico. Chronic hepatitis E infection has
not been observed, accounting for the low death rate due to
HEV. However, HEV has a 25% death rate in pregnant females.5
Allopathic Treatment of Hepatitis
Modern medical treatment consists of interferon alfa-2b,
recombinant alone or in combination with Rebavirin.
Side effects from these medications include muscle aches,
yeast infections, anemia, seizures, brain fog, autoimmune
reactions, hypersensitivity reactions (allergic reactions,
asthma) osteoporosis, deterioration of cardiac function, coronary
disease, diabetes mellitus, and severe psychiatric symptoms
such as depression and suicidal behavior. Rebavirin
is so dangerous to a developing fetus that women of childbearing
age must show proof of 2 forms of acceptable birth control
before they are given a prescription.
Holistic Treatment of Hepatitis
Diet
A whole foods diet that is low in protein will minimize stress
on the liver. An elimination of refined flours and sugars,
caffeine, and alcohol is crucial. Vegetable broths and juices
should be emphasized with particular attention to spirulina,
chlorella, wheat grass juice, and barley juice. A minimum
of 4 glasses of water for every 50lbs of body weight should
be consumed daily.
Live Protein Therapy
The liver injury in HBV infection is due to an immune mediated
host reaction to the infection and not the infection per se.6
In one HBV study, thymus extract was used to modulate immune
mediated reactions. Eighteen patients with biopsy-confirmed
hepatitis B and lowered T4/T8 ratio were split into two groups
and received thymic extract for 6 and 12 months respectively.
There was a normalization of both biochemical and immunological
markers within 6 months of beginning treatment. Laboratory
markers revealed a complete cessation of viral replication,
which implies remission.7
Two-year follow-up showed continued remission with
normal immunological and biochemical panels. A similar study
on a larger patient group produced similar findings and conclusions.8
The use of Liver extract and more specifically Hepatocyte
Growth Factor (HGF) has demonstrated the ability to accelerate
hepatic function.9
One hepatitis study showed that HGF stimulated the
regeneration of hepatocytes under inflammatory conditions
such as hepatitis B and C.10
Liver extract has also demonstrated remarkable results in
the treatment of chronic hepatitis. A double-blind study
was conducted that involved 556 patients with chronic hepatitis.
One group was given 70mg of liver hydrosylate three
times per day and the other group placebo three times per
day. At the end of three months of treatment the group
receiving the liver extract had far lower liver enzyme levels.
Since the levels of the enzymes in the blood reflect
damage to the liver, it was concluded that the liver extract
is effective in the treatment of hepatitis through its ability
to improve the function of damaged liver cells and to prevent
further damage to the liver.11
Cirrhosis is a category of chronic liver disease associated
with interconnecting fibrous scars that eventually lead to
parenchymal nodules that create further damage and scarring
eventually developing arteriovenous interconnections.
Symptoms appear such as mild fatigue, indigestion, constipation
or diarrhea and skin rashes. These are followed by abdominal
swelling, pain, vomiting of blood and jaundice. Advanced
cases lead to coma and eventually death. Researchers
recently discovered that the scar tissue associated with cirrhosis
is not permanent and in fact is actually reversible.12
The following protocol has demonstrated the ability
to reverse cirrhosis.
Treatment of Cirrhosis
Diet
A whole foods diet such as the one recommended for hepatitis
should be closely followed. Colon cleansing is also important
to decrease the load of endotoxins in the circulation.
Live Protein Therapy
Radchenko et al. successfully treated 102 patients with chronic
hepatitis and primary biliary cirrhosis with thymus extracts.
The results showed a significant increase in immune
competence, which helped control the immunoinflammatory process
in the liver and normalized the clinical manifestation of
the disease leading to a favorable outcome.13
HGF has also shown great clinical potential in the treatment
of cirrhosis in animal models. The antiapoptotic activity
of HGF in hepatocytes14
is of particular interest pertaining to the process of cirrhosis.
In addition, HGF was a potent stimulator of DNA synthesis
in primary hepatocytes.9,15
These important results demonstrate successful treatment
of a very difficult disease that typically has a very unfavorable
outcome.
Hepatitis Case Study
A.L. presented with a history of hepatitis C infection that
was contracted after a blood transfusion in 1980. A
liver biopsy in 1996 confirmed chronic hepatitis C.
The patient’s medical doctor told him that he had three
to five years to live. A.L. was searching for “palliative
care” to “make the last few years of my life as
comfortable as possible” when we began therapy.
A comprehensive program was implemented that included dietary
modifications combined with live thymus proteins, live liver
proteins, and detoxification therapies. Concurrently,
a solution-focused psychotherapeutic approach aimed at increasing
coping and managing emotional fear and distress was implemented.
For the first month of care A.L. took three Natcell Thymus,
and one Natcell Liver per week. After four weeks of care A.L.
reported a marked increase in energy levels, and general improvement
in overall well-being. Months two through four A.L.
took two Natcell Thymus per week and one Natcell Liver every
two weeks. Over the next six months the dosage was slowly
decreased to one Natcell Thymus every two weeks and one Natcell
Liver per month. Reports from his psychotherapist indicated
that his mindset was changing from a hopeless helpless posture
to a hopeful and optimistic mindset. At the end of the
10-month period A.L. was given a complete clean bill of health.
There was no sign of viral infection in his body.
For the next two months a heavy program of Natcell liver
combined with coffee enemas was introduced to further rebuild
and rejuvenate the liver. In the first month A.L. took two
Natcell Liver per week and performed three coffee enemas per
week. The second month consisted of one Natcell Liver
per week and two coffee enemas per week. Twelve months after
therapy had begun, A.L had gained 20lbs of lean muscle. He
has integrated a mind-body appreciation for his new health;
he has adopted a new philosophy on life and remains healthy
to this day. He remains on a maintenance dose of one
Natcell Liver every six weeks and one Natcell Thymus every
eight weeks.
Cirrhosis Case Study
R.R presented with a recent diagnosis of liver cirrhosis.
Patient’s medical history included a bout
of hepatitis B while in Vietnam, a 25-year history of alcoholism,
and I.V. drug use for two years in the 1970’s.
The patient was referred by his psychiatrist. His psychiatric
profile included severe depression related to post traumatic
stress disorder. Again, appreciating the mind-body connection
and the importance of an integrative holistic approach, R.R.
was seen concurrently for psychotherapy. Psychotherapy
consisted of treatment that utilized Eye Movement Desensitization
and Reprocessing (EMDR) to decrease intrusive flashbacks,
negative fear based cognitions and physiological reactivity.
The patient was started on a whole foods diet with
a focus on cereal grasses and other liver strengthening foods.
Live protein therapy was initiated with Natcell Liver
taken twice a week and Natcell Thymus taken once per week
for two months. Over the next six months R.R. continued
with a dose of one Natcell Liver per week and one Natcell
Thymus per week. Laboratory follow-up after eight months
of therapy showed an increase in T-lymphocytes, and decreased
immunoglobulin counts. Although R.R remains in a constant
struggle both physically and mentally, his overall level of
improvement is an amazing tribute to the body’s ability
to heal itself when the mind and body are treated in an integrated
manner. With the continued mind-body therapy and support
of his family, R.R. will continue to improve and someday lead
a normal life.
Conclusion
Live protein therapy represents a viable treatment option
in the management of liver disease. Although Organotherapy
is by no means a new concept, our understanding of the science
behind the mechanism of action is beginning to become clearer.
Clinically, I have witnessed results that warrant further
research. My approach is patient-specific and my treatment
philosophy requires balance between the physical, biochemical,
emotional and electromagnetic systems. I have used Natcell
Thymus and Natcell Liver in the management of liver disease
as part of a comprehensive treatment protocol for more than
5 years. My results have been consistent and reproducible.
The Natcell line of products are available from Atrium Biotechnologies,
Inc. of Quebec City, Canada.
Correspondence:
Dr. Thomas Bayne, D.C.
Northbrook, Illinois 60062 USA
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References
1. Babal, K., Reversing
Liver Damage, Nutrition Science News, 2(10), 1997, 508-512
2. Cotran, R., Kumar, V.,
Robbins, S., 4th Edition Robbins Pathological Basis of Disease,
W.B. Saunders Co., 1989.
3. Lesnicar, G., A prospective
study of viral hepatitis A and the question of chronicity.
Hepatogastroenterology 35:69, 1988
4. Bernuau, J., et al.:
Fulminant and subfulminant liver failure: definitions and
causes. Semin. Liver Dis. 6:97, 1986
5. Aggarwal, R., Krawczynski,
Hepatitis E: an overview and recent advances in clinical and
laboratory research. J Gastroenterol Hepatol, Jan 2000, 15(1):
9-20
6. Berkow, R., Fletcher,
A., The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy; 15th edition.
Merck Research Laboratories, Rathway, N.J. 1987, p.905
7. Dworniak, D., et al.
Treatment with thymic extract TFX for chronic active hepatitis
B. Archivum Immunologiae et Therapiae Experimentalis. 1991,
39(5-6): 537
8. Zeman, K., et al. Effect
of thymic extract on allogeneic MLR and mitogen-induced responses
in patients with chronic active hepatitis B. Immunological
Investigations. 1991 Dec, 20(7): 545.
9. Kaido, T., et al. Portal
branch ligation with a continuous hepatocyte growth factor
supply makes extensive hepatectomy possible in cirrhotic rats.
Hepatology, 1998 Sep; 28(3): 756-60
10. Ohnishi, T., et al.
Effect of phosphorylated rat fetuin on the growth of hepatocytes
in primary culture in the presence of human hepatocyte-growth
factor. Evidence that phosphorylated fetuin is a natural modulator
of hepatocyte growth factor. Eur J Biochem 1997 Feb 1; 243(3):
753-61
11. Fujisawa, K., et al,
Therapeutic effects of liver hydrosylate preparation on chronic
hepatitis-A double blind, controlled study. Asian Med J 26,497-526,
1984
12. Freidman, Rockey, Maher.
Presentation at the 50th annual meeting of the American Association
for the Study of Liver Disease. Oct. 1999.
13. Radchenko, VG et al.
The efficacy of immunomodulating preparations in treating
patients with chronic cholestatic liver diseases. Vrachebnoe
Delo. 1992 Nov-Dec, (11-12):38
14. Ueki, T., et al. Hepatocyte
growth factor gene therapy of liver cirrhosis in rats. Nat
Med 1999 Feb; 5(2):226-30
15. Kaido, T., et al. Perioperative
continuous hepatocyte growth factor supply prevents postoperative
liver failure in rats with liver cirrhosis. J Surg Res 1998
Feb 1;74(2):173-8
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During my treatment
I took ...
1 vial of NatCell thymus every other day for 18 months.
I also took 2 thymus capsules 3 times per day.
Chapter 15
Thymus:
The Fountain of Youth
THE THYMUS
GLAND:
What it is and what it does.
THYMUS EXTRACTS:
An International
Literature Review of Clinical Studies (HTML version)
THYMUS EXTRACTS:
An International
Literature Review of Clinical Studies (PDF version)
A
Novel Approach to Thymus (PDF)
Thymus
Clinical Trials (PDF)
Due
to the recent problem with the madcow disease,
the FDA has inspected and cleared our Natcell products
for sale.
FDA Clearance No. 110-3122937-2
NO
MADCOW HERE! |
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