Y Nahmias, J Goldwasser, M Casali, and others. Apolipoprotein B dependent hepatitis C virus secretion is inhibited by the grapefruit flavonoid naringenin. Hepatology. January 7, 2008 [Epub ahead of print].
Good news for those infected with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Engineering in Medicine (MGH-CEM) has identified how the hepatitis C virus is spread from infected cells to healthy cells. Their study shows that HCV transports itself from infected cells to healthy cells via very low density lipoproteins (vLDL). This means the virus attaches itself on vLDL and then can be transported from an infected cell in order to infect a previously healthy cell, thus perpetuating the disease and spreading the infection.
In grapefruit, there is a flavonoid called naringin. This is the property which gives grapefruit its bitter taste. The body can transform naringin into naringenin which is the chemical this study confirmed can reduce the secretion of HCV from the infected liver cells by inhibiting the secretion of vLDL. By following this logic, when the liver cells are infected with HCV the transmission of the virus is halted and contained in the already infected liver cells. Once the cells die by apoptosis (pre-programed death of a cell) HCV can thus be eliminated.
The researchers state that with other treatment to help reduce the viral load this may be a breakthrough in the treatment of HCV. As a naturopathic physician, I know "alternative treatments" are as effective or more effective as conventional medical treatments, this opens up many possibilities for patients. Treatments such as Olive Leaf, Oregano oil, colloidal silver and shitake mushrooms can decrease viral load. Glutathione, alpha lipoic acid and sulfur will help the liver detoxify and milk thistle, boldo, dandelion can help the liver regenerate new hepatocytes (liver cells) thus non- pharmaceutical treatment along with this discovery should be extremely effective.
Studies have shown that naringin is not well absorbed from the intestinal tract and developing an injectable form of naringenin would be more effective. I suggest people interested in this breakthrough start calling compounding pharmacies (ApotheCure, McGuff, etc) to encourage them to develop an injectable form of naringenin (either IM or IV). Until then eat organic grapefruit and drink organic grapfruit juice to utilize this treatment.
Perhaps in clinical practice physicians and patients alike will find this adjunct therapy an inexpensive and reliable treatment for Hepatitis C virus.
