Vitamin B3

We need about 10 to 20 milligrams per day (1 milligram = 0.001 gram) of nicotinic acid.In the intestinal tract, the amino acid tryptophan can be converted to niacin by bacterial action and thus can serve as a source for part of the niacin we need.Some doctors recommend inositol hexaniacinate for people who need large amounts of niacin because it has not been linked with any of the usual niacin toxicity in scientific research.

Vitamin B3 is essential for normal growth and for healthy skinWhen used as therapy for a specific disease, niacin, niacinamide, and inositol hexaniacinate are taken in dosages much higher than nutritional needs, about 1 to 4 g daily.Because of the risk of liver inflammation at these doses, medical supervision is essential.

Natural treatments for hepatitis

The presence of blood abnormalities, ie. raised liver enzymes and presence of viral anti-bodies, point to two ways in which herbal treatments can be of assistance. Firstly there are a number of herbal remedies which protect liver cells from damage by poisons and viruses, and there are ample published reports of animal studies and clinical trials which have demonstrated an ability of a herb to lower levels of liver enzymes (including ALT) in affected individuals.

Glycyrrhiza glabra, licorice

One of the most widely used herbs throughout the world, liquorice is regarded by herbalists as a harmoniser or balancing agent. It certainly improves the flavour of herbal compounds but its properties extend much further than flavouring.

Constituents:
Glycyrrhizin, a triterpenoid saponin; isoflavones

Actions and use:
Demulcent; expectorant; antiulcer; tonic; antiviral; antiinflammatory; hepatoprotective.

Taraxacum sp., dandelions

Dandelion is classes as a choleretic, cholagogue, diuretic and mild laxative. It increases appetite and improves digestion. Its alkalising effect is beneficial in all detoxification treatments. The dried roots can be roasted and taken instead of coffee. However unroasted roots are more therapeutic. They can be taken in decoction form. Fresh juice of leaves and roots can be taken in 5 ml doses. This is the most bitter preparation.

Hepatitis B at risk

Hepatitis B infection is caused by the hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis B virus is present in the blood and body fluids of infected persons.

Facts Every Health Care Provider Should Know About Hepatitis B(Ar you patients at risk)

-Hepatitis B can be fatal.

-Hepatitis B, once caught, has no cure. There is, however, safe and proven prevention in the form of the hepatitis B vaccine.

-Hepatitis B virus infects over 200,000 people in the US every year, and there are currently 1.5 million chronic carriers in America alone.

-Hepatitis B kills over 5,000 Americans each year. It is a leading cause of chronic cirrhosis and a known cause of hepatocellular carcinoma. Death is usually delayed 10 to 20 years from the time of original infection.

-The hepatitis B virus is found in blood and body fluids such as semen, vaginal secretions and breast milk. It can be spread through sexual contact; by sharing needles or razors; and by tattooing or body piercing with unsterile equipment. However, 40% of those infected do not know how they contracted the disease and acknowledge no risk factors when asked.

-Seventy-seven percent of those infected with the hepatitis B virus every year are between the ages of 15-39. Fewer than 5% of adolescents and young adults have received the hepatitis B vaccine.

-Hepatitis B vaccine is the only product that will prevent a sexually transmitted disease (STD), as well as cancer.

-Pregnant women with hepatitis B will infect more than 50% of their infants. 90% of the 6,000 infants infected perinatally in the US each year will become chronic hepatitis B carriers, and 25% will eventually die of cirrhosis or liver cancer.

-Up to 30% of all pediatric infections occur through contact with adult chronic carriers of hepatitis B living in the same household.

-Many patients infected with hepatitis B have no symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they include loss of appetite, extreme tiredness, vomiting, stomach pain, and jaundice.

-Safe, effective hepatitis B vaccines have been available since 1982. Please protect your patients; give them the vaccine.

hepatitis B vaccines,contact with adult chronic carriers of hepatitis B,The hepatitis B virus is found in blood and body fluids such as semen, vaginal secretions and breast milk.,chronic hepatitis B carriers,

Hepatitis A Symptoms

Hepatitis A affects anyone and ranges from isolated cases to widespread epidemics with outbreaks about every 10 years nationwide.

A symptoms include:

• aches and pains

• a general feeling of not being well

• dark urine

• diarrhea

• fatigue

• fever

• intermittent nausea and possibly vomiting

• jaundice, which can make the sclera (whites) of the eyes a yellowish color

• loss of appetite

• pale feces

Adults usually experience more symptoms than children

Incubation Period

• Average time 28 days for Hepatitis A virus

• From 2 weeks to 6 months after being infected

Hepatitis Risk

Intravenous drug use has been the greatest risk factor for hepatitis C since the early 1980s. Although transfused blood has been tested for both hepatitis B and C since the early nineties, individuals given transfusions before then, even decades before, may still be at risk. Such individuals are urged to be tested. Most health care providers are at low risk, although the chance of infection in hospital workers who are accidentally stuck with a needle is high, ranging from 4% to 10%.

Although heavy drinking itself is the major risk factor for alcoholic hepatitis, genetic factors may play a role in increasing a person's risk for alcoholic hepatitis. Women who abuse alcohol are at higher risk for alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis than are men who drink heavily. High fat diets may also increase the risk in heavy drinkers.

People who are at risk for developing hepatitis are workers in the health care professions, people with multiple sexual partners, intravenous drug users, and hemophiliacs. Hepatitis is generally thought to be as much as ten times more common in the lower socioeconomic and poorly educated groups. About one third of all cases of hepatitis come from an unknown or unidentifiable source. This means that you don't have to be in a high risk group in order to be infected with the

hepatitis virus.

Feces-contaminated water and food are the major sources of infection of Hepatitis A , and infected people can transmit it to others if they do not take strict sanitary precautions. Hepatitis A is the hepatitis strain people are most likely to encounter in the course of international travel.

Up to 90% of Hepatitis B patients are men, although it can infect children.

Drug users who share needles are at considerable risk. Pregnant women with hepatitis B can transmit the virus to their babies. Contaminated medical instruments, including fingerstick devices used for more than one individual, have been known to transmit the virus.