Blueberry leaves can help fight against hepatitis C,
according to a new study.

Hepatitis C is a contagious liver disease resulting from infection with the
hepatitis C virus (HCV) and spread mainly through direct contact with infected
blood. The immune system is able to clear the Hepatitis C Virus in about 15% of
those who contract HCV. However, once it is established in the body, chronic
hepatitis C infection may progress to fibrosis, cirrhosis and/or liver cancer
(hepatocellular carcinoma).

A recent chemical discovery in blueberry leaves may help kill the Hepatitis C
virus. The study, published August 7, 2009 in the American Society of
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology's Journal of Biochemistry (PMID: 19531480) by
researchers Hiroaki Kataoka and colleagues at the University of Miyazaki, may
open a new avenue for treating chronic hepatitis C infections. This is
significant because standard western medicine treatment for Hepatitis C is not
effective for everyone and can produce very severe, debilitating side effects.

According to scientist Hiroaki Kataoka and colleagues, a chemical found in
rabbit-eye blueberry, found in the southeastern regions of the US, strongly
suppressed replication of the hepatitis C virus. The blueberry leaf-derived
viral replication inhibitor was found to be proanthocyanidin.

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