Helminthic therapy and the liver

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Liver disease

Autoimmune liver disease

Autoimmune liver diseases, such as primary biliary cirrhosis, autoimmune hepatitis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis, were found to be modulated by active helminth infections in a case-controlled study involving 4,117 patients admitted to hospitals in Okinawa, Japan, between 1988 and 2006.

The authors hypothesized that immunomodulation by helminths may lower the incidence of autoimmune liver disease.

• 2007 May An inverse relationship between autoimmune liver diseases and Strongyloides stercoralis infection | Full text

Also see

• This thread in the Helminthic Therapy Support group.

• How a high fat ketogenic diet saved my life from primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Liver enzymes

NA can lower high liver enzymes

After 15 years of elevated liver enzymes, I started on NA and a few months later the liver tests were mid-range normal. [1]

It’s also possible for NA to raise liver enzymes

Raised liver enzymes are most likely to be seen in the early stages of helminth colonisation.

I’ve been treating with NA for 3 months and my last blood work also showed raised ASAT and ALAT… I’ve never had elevated liver enzymes before, I barely drink alcohol nor am I taking any meds. [2]

Liver enzymes can test high for a variety of reasons

Liver enzymes can be raised by infections such as Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) and by other viruses, [3] and can also become elevated as a result of taking an immunosuppressant or certain supplements, or working out.

I was taking entyvio while on NA and my liver enzymes went crazy. They are still elevated 6 months later but coming down even though the entyvio has stopped. Unlikely it is the NA. [4]

I just crossed the 2 year mark for NA. All my inflammation is under control as well, and not too long ago my liver enzymes were elevated. I also still take a very low dose of 6mp (a different immunosuppressant than Humira), and they turned out to only be spontaneously elevated while my liver was adjusting to me working out more regularly and taking some supplements like NAC. They were back to normal the next test. I would venture to say that it’s unlikely NA caused the elevation, and more likely Humira or changes in activity levels… [5]

The reintroduction to the digestive tract of a controlled number of specially domesticated, mutualistic helminths (intestinal worms) in the form of microscopic eggs or larvae to reconstitute a depleted biome to treat or prevent chronic inflammation, autoimmune disease and other immune-related disorders, including allergy.

An intestinal worm which grows large enough to be seen with the naked eye when mature but which is microscopic when administered in helminthic therapy. Wikipedia:Helminths

The reintroduction to the digestive tract of a controlled number of specially domesticated, mutualistic helminths (intestinal worms) in the form of microscopic eggs or larvae to reconstitute a depleted biome to treat or prevent chronic inflammation, autoimmune disease and other immune-related disorders, including allergy.

the human hookworm, Necator americanus