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Olive Leaf Extract
A New/Old Healing Bonanza for Mankind
by
James R. Privitera, M.D.
Science has long stalked the chemical world within plants to uncover their amazing healing secrets. Lately, these investigations have yielded discovery after discovery of natural compounds with promising health and medical potential.
Some of these compounds stimulate the production of anti-cancer enzymes in the body. Others bind and neutralize certain carcinogenic chemicals. Other have antioxidant effects,protecting the body from oxidation damage caused by harmful molecular fragments known as free radicals that contribute to aging and illness.
These natural compunds are found abundantly in roots, stems, leaves, fruits and vegetables. They go by a variety of scientific names like polyphenols, flavonoids, flavonols, pycnogenols, glucosinolates, isoprenoids, carotenoids, tocotrienols and proanthocyanadins. To keep things simple and pronounceable, we will just call them phytochemicals or phytonutrients. Phyto stems from the Greek word for plant.
The volume of current research is intense. Some experts say these compounds may offer the best protection we know of against the diseases that plague us today. There's much yet to learn about the tissue-specific way they work. But with time, these phytonutrients, in the form of supplements or medical preparations, may play a major role in anti-aging medicine and how we prevent and treat disease.
Among the many phytochemicals that have interested
me, as a clinician, is oleuropein (pronounced oh-lee-or-oh-pin), a substance
found in the olive leaf. I, as well as other health practitioners, have
found that a natural supplement of olive leaf extract contains substantial
medicinal benefits.
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more . . .
What is your basic protocol
these days for Hepatitis C?
Oxymatrine
Hep C Powder
Selenium
Two of the following: R+Lipoic Acid, Siliphos, GSH
Calcium and Lithium Orotate if Stage 2 or higher
Doc, how do heavy metals
affect my Hepatitis C?
Similar to iron overload, heavy metals have a pro-oxidant effect
on hepatitis c. Liver and other organ damage occurs in hcv infection
by an oxidative mechanism, in this case by the lysosomes attacking the
virus with a reactive oxygen species. Iron and heavy metals fan this
flame of oxidative damage.
Should I be tested for heavy
metals?
Depends on your occupation, and where you live. I will often
look at heavy metals if the liver enzymes won't normalize, or if blood
pressure won't come down, in the face of a good treatment protocol.
Usually I will treat first and if the case is not responding how I expect
then I will look for interfering factors. I work north of San Francisco
and there are very large mercury mines close by, so it's a front and
center issue at our clinic.
Should I get a biopsy?
Biopsies generate intense attitudes among a number of people,
some patients viscerally are not inclined to jab their liver with a
large needle. The death rate for this minor surgical procedure is 1
in every 9,000 to 10,000 depending on whose figures you use. The danger
in biopsies comes from uncontrolled bleeding which is much more likely
in heavily damaged livers. Also patients are typically sore for awhile
afterward. The most frequent comment that we hear, is that it feels
like being punched. It's rare that we find a doctor performing a biopsy
fully informing their patients of any downside.
On the other hand, biopsies are the gold standard of HepC progression. This is the definitive test for this disease. For many it alleviates a lot of anxiety about their case, because now you have clear knowledge of where you stand. Occasionally we will see, what we believe to be an inaccurate biopsy (for example one report came back 1/1 on a patient who already had advanced symptoms including splenomegaly. 3 years later a second biopsy showed her having cirrhosis). This is a rare occurrence.
As clinicians we like information, and biopsies are the best information money can buy. In our current case studies we are focusing solely on biopsy results. Yet we recognize this is a personal decision for the patients and we wish them to make their choices fully informed of both the great utility as well as the risks of this procedure.
Alternatives to liver biopsies are becoming available. A blood test called HCV Fibrosure looks at six biochemical markers in a patented algorithm to assess the amount of liver fibrosis and the progression of Hepatitis C. Also a procedure called transient elastography, whereby they measure ultrasound waves traveling through the liver is being tested. So far its only downside is the inability to use it with obese patients.
Hey Doc are there foods that I should eat, that would help with my hepatitis?Lecithin can be added to many foods. It contains phosphatidyl choline which repairs cell membranes, aiding in the healing of the liver, as well as other important compounds such as phosphatidyl serine which repairs nerves. In many ways it is preferable to taking more pills. Milk thistle can be toasted and ground up, combined with a little sea salt to make a deliciously nutty condiment.
Coconut oil contains almost 50% lauric acid, an anti-viral fatty acid that works on viruses with lipid sheaths such as HCV. It is especially useful when thyroid activity is low. Artichokes are part of the thistle family. Fresh juices especially fennel, watercress and apple are a fabulous way to bring down the liver enzymes and energize the body. Fresh greens of all types and you can't beat beets.
I feel so tired. What should
I do about my energy level?
Fatigue is the most common symptom associated with HCV. It
along with depression and mental confusion can often be the first symptoms.
Fatigue can also be so deep that it is downright narcoleptic. The first
issue in dealing with fatigue is the quality of sleep. Is there insomnia?
Do you stay up late surfing the net? We will often use a herbal combination
called Liver Yin Essence, along with magnesium orotate to deal with
fatigue and insomnia together.
For many people eating less carbs and more protein as well as vegetables greatly increase energy levels, though if your liver function is very poor, or your ammonia levels (which is a by-product of protein digestion) are high you do not want to eat a lot of protein, especially animal protein.
Drinking fresh vegetable juices is very useful, my favorites are watercress, fennel and parsley in a carrot or apple base, with a touch of lemon. Also spirulina, blue-green algae, chlorella, barley or wheat grasses go great with the fresh juices. This also lowers liver enzymes. My favorite supplement for fatigue is REM+. You can take up to 5 capsules 3x daily. Also squalene is useful especially in conjunction with physical exercise and/or deep breathing exercises that oxygenate the body. Be careful not to push too hard with exercise if you don't bounce back easily. With squalene use 2 capsules twice daily with meals.
Often we find that doing a detox program is what makes people feel better and this improves their energy. There are many different protocols including intestinal cleanses with coffee enemas that are effective. The program we use is similar in intent to fat flush type programs, but fairly simple. Diet is important, especially the eating of pure oils like olive or flax, with no hydrogenated fats and not much animal fats like meat or cheese.
We use 5 pellets of lidan before meals which makes the body dump bile, so that toxins collected by the bile get flushed out, rather than re-absorbed in the intestines. We also give 2 capsules of Membrane Complex, aka 2-AEP (call 877-454-4372 to order) before meals. With meals we give 3 capsules of phosphatidyl choline and 2 capsules of squalene. The purpose is to flush neurotoxins out of cell membranes where they become lodged, creating odd-chained fatty acids. Dr. Patricia Kane has detailed how these odd-chained fatty acids are used by viruses. Her work completes a link which we often seen clinically of how toxic exposures can lead to viral flare-ups. During this detox use plenty of pure oils like olive, flax and evening primrose. Please, no hydrogentated or vegetable oils. Also limit fats from animal sources other than fish from impeccably clean waters.