Researchers have noted that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients have a high prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection. Further, it's been demonstrated that COPD patients with hepatitis C have a more severe form of the lung disease. Researchers reporting in the February 2010 issue of "Epidemiology and Infection" discuss these associations in depth. Research has also shown that vitamins C and D are effective in alleviating symptoms of both diseases.
Vitamin C for COPD
In the May 2001 issue of "Epidemiologic Reviews," researchers reviewed studies examining the benefits of antioxidants in alleviating COPD symptoms and found strong evidence of the benefits of vitamin C supplementation. The authors hypothesized that because vitamin C helps to neutralize free radical damage in the lungs, it may suppress the development of chronic lung diseases and reduce lung damage. Studies have shown that daily vitamin C supplementation at up to three times the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) level has a protective effect. The RDA for vitamin C is 60 mg.
Vitamin C for Hepatitis C
The June 2006 issue of "The Journal of Translational Medicine" published a Turkish study designed to determine the antioxidant status of patients with chronic hepatitis C in relation to oxidative stress induced by the virus. The researchers found that the virus lowers the levels of antioxidant enzymes and subsequently the body's ability to fight viral infection and inflammation. In turn, hepatitis C induces high levels of oxidative stress. The researchers concluded that vitamin C supplementation can reduce the oxidative stress of hepatitis C and contribute to the success of conventional therapies.
Vitamin D for COPD
An article published in the May 16, 2011 issue of "Medical News Today" reports on a study presented at the 2011 American Thoracic Society International Conference. The study's authors noted that vitamin D deficiency is common in COPD patients and investigated the effects of high-dose vitamin D supplementation. They gave 50 COPD patients with severe symptoms a monthly dose of 100,000 international units of vitamin D for three months. At the end of the study, the patients had significant improvement in lung capacity.
Vitamin D for Hepatitis C
A Jan. 14, 2010 edition of "Haaretz Daily" reports on a study presented at the 2010 conference of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. The study found that administering vitamin D to hepatitis C patients dramatically reduced blood levels of the virus. Ninety hepatitis C patients were randomly assigned to receive either 1,000 international units of vitamin D or a placebo every day for six months in addition to standard medication. The results showed that 90 percent of patients treated with drug therapy and vitamin D supplements had the virus disappear and completely recovered.
References
- "Epidemiologic Reviews"; Diet and Obstructive Lung Diseases; Isabelle Romieu et al.; May 2001
- "Journal of Translational Medicine"; Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Defense in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Before and After Pegylated Interferon Alfa-2b Plus Ribavirin Therapy; Görenek Levent et al.; June 2006
- "Medical News Today"; Vitamin D Improves Exercise Outcomes In Patients With COPD; Staff Reporter; May 16, 2011
- "Haaretz Daily"; Study: Vitamin D Could Help Fight Hepatitis C; Dan Even; Jan. 14, 2010
