sean

Hi--

hadn't seen the msg., but thanbey called it to my attention. i'll try not to ruin her kind reference to me with too many stupid comments. so, to keep to the basics:

silymarin has inded been much studied, seems to offer little or virtually no negative side effects except occasional g.i. distress. it defnitely has shown good results in severl liver condietions in man or rat, but of all these results, the hep c studies are the least conclusive. shoot. there are a couple of studies of silymarin and hep c withpositive results, and a couple with zero effect results.
nothing, at least, has been found harmful in taking it, and some hope that it may help a bit. i take it, in about the quantities you mention (adding up to almost a gram a day of thistle--about 80%active silymarin).

schisandra and dandelion root both have active antioxidant effects. i know they have been recommended for hep or other liver conditions, but can't say they've been studies very extensively, so i do NOT know the side effect or other downside story on these. i do not take 'em.

i think dr. weill is more sensible and low-key than many in the natural health area, but neither he (or of course me!(!!!!)should be taken at face value. explore, read, learn.

the alternatives i know of that seem to be good or at least okay for the liver, which have indeed been studied a bit, and which do not seem to show negative side effects are vit E, silymarin, and lecitihin. all these seem generally healthful, anyway, even if we didn't have the virus. so, no harm there, i believe.

beyond that, you have to, have to, do your research. there are definitely some things out there that can hurt you. my favorite example is selenium which is clearly of value in tiny quantities, but clearly harmful in large quantities. so read, study, read, study.

good luck!