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Are Turmeric And Milk Thistle Effective In Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Question: cMy husband currently takes tumeric 400 mg twice a day and milk thistle 470 mg once a day to deal with a possible RA factor that developed after a year of being sick. The problems started with a virus that caused a pericardial effusion and a slight pleural effusion which both healed. Then this October he developed raised liver enzymes. After a liver biopsy, it was determined that his liver was (is) in a healing phase from a viral factor. Now he takes the supplements above daily and Advil 200mg every 2 1/2 days to calm down the pain he sometimes has in his hands. He is worried that the Advil with the two above supplements might be too much for his liver. What are the dangers and what are your recommendations. What should he stop - continue. Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Please follow...
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking .
I read carefully fully all your concerns and I can say as follows:
1. With regards to milk thistle and tumeric , both of them have antioxidant effect of liver cells . This is why in clinical practise the physicians recommend then in cases of elevation liver panel tests.
2. Otherwise in rare situations when the dosage of turmeric is too high( more than 1500 mg per day )for a long time , elevation of liver enzymes has been noted.
3. You are reporting that your husband is using advil 200 mg every 2 1/2 day.
It is a low dosage and there is nothing to be worried.
Otherwise to my opinion it is better if you use some time advil and some time acetaminophen to get relieve from pain.
4. Since he has had elevation liver enzymes he should avoid alcohol and repeat liver tests every 12 weeks.
Hope it was helpful to you!
Dr.Klerida
Please follow...
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking .
I read carefully fully all your concerns and I can say as follows:
1. With regards to milk thistle and tumeric , both of them have antioxidant effect of liver cells . This is why in clinical practise the physicians recommend then in cases of elevation liver panel tests.
2. Otherwise in rare situations when the dosage of turmeric is too high( more than 1500 mg per day )for a long time , elevation of liver enzymes has been noted.
3. You are reporting that your husband is using advil 200 mg every 2 1/2 day.
It is a low dosage and there is nothing to be worried.
Otherwise to my opinion it is better if you use some time advil and some time acetaminophen to get relieve from pain.
4. Since he has had elevation liver enzymes he should avoid alcohol and repeat liver tests every 12 weeks.
Hope it was helpful to you!
Dr.Klerida
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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