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liver support
Is anyone needing or using something for extra liver/gallbladder support? I used to use things like dandelion, reishi and maybe shisandra in the past, before this diet. I'm wondering what might be useful now?
Hi, @audrey I hope you are well.
In the past I have used (from google) "Silymarin is an antioxidant compound taken from milk thistle seeds. It's unclear what benefits, if any, it may have in the body, but it's sometimes used as a natural treatment for things including cirrhosis, jaundice, hepatitis, and gallbladder disorders." It's an interesting idea to do a little of these liver herbs. My mother's dog has liver issues, and her vet has him on a silymarin product and it seems to help him--his liver numbers have improved. I wonder if there are lists of the carotenes in herbs, but if they help the liver and gallbladder they may be worth a small exposure.
Personally, from experience with herbs, I used them infrequently and with caution. They are potent.
I also wonder about small amounts of alcohol and if it does really tend to send VA out of the liver and into the tissues. (for good or bad) I do wonder if my chronic little nightly glass of wine is what keeps my facial detox going and going and going. But my grandfather lived a very long time (96) with all sorts of bad work exposures. He was a Frenchman who embraced the red wine habit. Is this one of the reasons for the so-called French Paradox? The French do seem to get away with eating boat loads of cheese and butter and cream. Alcohol-- also potent and dangerous.
Thanks @lil chick.
I recall using milk thistle tincture at the beginning of my low A diet (20 months ago) and it was too potent, even though I had already been using it off and on for years, only with what seemed like positive results.
If I try anything I will definitely go slow and easy. I also thought artichoke could be beneficial too to try and it seems like it is allowed on this diet.
What is your facial detox? Rosacea?
So milk thistle was "stirring things up"? So interesting.
I'm still here on this list because I have less pain and suffering (thank you Grant!).
But I still have loads of "topical" or "facial" (surface?) issues that go on and on, and in fact some may even be occasionally worse, than before low VA....LOL.
Sometimes I laugh when I think of sayings like: I've got it coming out my ears! Clear as the nose on my face! Tight lipped!
So... yes rosacea peeling and eruptions in the lupus butterfly area; peeling, cracking lips; gunk between the teeth and gingivitis; tinnitus and ear popping; burning, itching nostrils that crack; goopy eyes each morning...
I can feel and even see that things are happening toward the good in these areas. It's just a very slow process. I swear, for instance, that my nose has narrowed. (rosacea noses get bulbous with time)
I guess you could say that I feel better than I look.
Quote from Audrey on January 4, 2021, 1:03 amIs anyone needing or using something for extra liver/gallbladder support? I used to use things like dandelion, reishi and maybe shisandra in the past, before this diet. I'm wondering what might be useful now?
Several years ago (pre-Vitamin A detox protocol) I told TUDCA for several months. After being on low Vitamin A for over two years, I took TUDCA for a couple of months. Gallbladder congestion and occasional liver pain cleared out completely. I also noticed a positive change in kidney function. TUDCA brought detox symptoms but eventually seemed to give significant relief.
In determining a dosage for TUDCA, I researched bodybuilder’s suggestions from the Internet. I’m of small stature, but I too significant amounts. Smaller amounts might have given less detox symptoms; the end results were nonetheless a feeling if a cleared gallbladder/liver area.
All the best,
DSWL
Yes, @lil chick it is a very slow process, but I am happy to hear that things are happening toward the good. I also notice improvements here and there, some things just ebb and flow, like my skin, my lips, my balance... I have noticed that some cherry angiomas (or maybe they are broken capillaries?) on my hands/fingers that I have had ever since I was a child have completely disappeared! Something I had never expected to see happen. I overdosed on chewable vitamins as a kid, eating them like candies.
Thanks @DWL, I've never heard of TUDCA. Could you share what some of your detox symptoms were?
Supplementing TUDCA:
During the first few weeks while supplementing TUDCA I experienced acute spine, neck, and right side rib pain. Occasional liver discomfort returned and gallbladder area discomfort remained. For the first few days I had night sweats and the same type of body odor that accompanied my first few weeks on low/no Vitamin A. This symptom lasted only a few days. While taking TUDCA I had an overall feeling of malaise. Surprisingly thiugh, a few days after stopping TUDCA supplementation, I NO longer had discomfort in the gallbladder area. The discomfort which I had experienced for years was gone. After about 7-8 weeks now, liver, gallbladder and kidney discomfort have not returned. Despite tremendous life stressors. I’m felling quite well.
I supplementedTUDCA several different times prior to going low Vitamin A. At no time was vision improvement noticeable, yet research shows that it is beneficial for some vision disorders.
DSWL
Quote from DWL on January 6, 2021, 2:48 amSupplementing TUDCA:
During the first few weeks while supplementing TUDCA I experienced acute spine, neck, and right side rib pain. Occasional liver discomfort returned and gallbladder area discomfort remained. For the first few days I had night sweats and the same type of body odor that accompanied my first few weeks on low/no Vitamin A. This symptom lasted only a few days. While taking TUDCA I had an overall feeling of malaise. Surprisingly thiugh, a few days after stopping TUDCA supplementation, I NO longer had discomfort in the gallbladder area. The discomfort which I had experienced for years was gone. After about 7-8 weeks now, liver, gallbladder and kidney discomfort have not returned. Despite tremendous life stressors. I’m felling quite well.
I supplementedTUDCA several different times prior to going low Vitamin A. At no time was vision improvement noticeable, yet research shows that it is beneficial for some vision disorders.
DSWL
What brand and doses a day you used? I would love to try TUDCA, but I would need to buy it on ebay/amazon which is expensive as fuck for me and also it seems that there is not TUDCA from reputable brands. So I don't know which should I buy... Btw what is the difference between TUDCA and this https://ca.iherb.com/pr/Jarrow-Formulas-Bile-Acid-Factors-90-Capsules/172?gclid=Cj0KCQiA3NX_BRDQARIsALA3fIKnUqOmlrwmoPf_6RmnDHluwq692k04xNMzGqV9EoUE7_VZN3M0NZQaAn5zEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds I consumed like 3 bottles of this with food, on empty stomach etc.. No effect on bile synthesis/flow/ liver detox... Btw when you took that TUDCA with food or on empty stomach?
edit- the only TUDCA I can buy here is this. https://www.biomolecule-shop.net/TUDCA-60-cps-d23.htm Never heard that brad. It can be completely fake. But I think I will try it. It should have 250mg per capsule. How much I need to take? I think the more toxic you are the lower dose you will feel right? It is expensive so I try one bottle and if it does something I will buy and take bigger doses..
The brand of TUDCA that I took this time around says GSS. I have no idea how reputable the manufacturer might be. It seemed to be fine. As far as dosing goes, I watched YouTube videos, read PubMed and other online articles and many product reviews searching for information on dosing. I didn’t find anything definitive. It seems to be important to drink plenty of liquids while supplementing. Bodybuilding websites and YouTube videos
gave what seemed like reasonable dosing suggestions. I hate not to answer your question about my specific dosing but my knowledge about TUDCA is quite limited and I’d not want to mislead anyone.
All the best,
DSWL