BHT Against Herpes
by Dr. Ralph Cinque
BHT stands for butylated hydroxytoluene, and it is a phenolic compound that is commonly added to foods to preserve fats. For instance, every time I open a bottle of olive oil, I pour the contents of one capsule of BHT into the bottle, and it keeps the oil from going rancid- even if it is stored at room temperature for many months.
BHT works to preserve fats by virtue of being an antioxidant. Rancidity of fats occurs because of reactions between fat molecules and oxygen molecules which BHT prevents. Besides food, BHT is used as a preservative in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. There is some scientific speculation about the role of BHT in extending lifespan via its antioxidant effect, and there is some intriguing research in this regard involving animals.
The use of BHT as a treatment for Herpes began in the 1970s in response to scientific reports that BHT had anti-viral activity. The earliest studies showed success in applying BHT to Herpes and other lipid-coated viruses in petri dishes, and these results were reported in the prestigious journal, Science. Studies in live animals then followed, first in regard to New Castle disease in chickens which involves a virus with a lipid membrane very similar to Herpes. BHT seems to work by disrupting the lipid membrane of viruses.
However, controlled clinical trials involving human patients with Herpes are lacking for the simple reason that the FDA won't allow them. The FDA approves BHT for use only a food preservative, and this restriction applies within the realm of medical research. No government grants or facilities can be used to study the anti-viral effects of BHT, and strong sanctions are threatened against those who would sponsor such research privately. Whats more, there is the inexorable problem of BHT being a non-patentable substance, which means that no one company could stand to benefit by paying for expensive research.
Yet, since BHT is available for purchase (by anyone) as a food preservative, it doesn't stop people from buying BHT and using it as they wish, even to treat Herpes. And since the 1970s, there are numerous anectodal reports of people taking BHT in daily doses of 250 to 1000 mgs and successfully suppressing the Herpes virus and the resultant outbreaks.
BHT first came to public attention in the US by way of the ground-breaking book, Life Extension: A Practical Scientific Approach, by Durk Pearson and Sandy Shaw, published in 1982. But the book that really put BHT on the map was Wipe Out Herpes with BHT by Dr. Steven Fowkes, which came out a year later in 1983. Today, Dr. Fowkes is the head of the Cognitive Enhancement Research Institute (CERI) in Menlo Park, California, and besides documenting numerous successful cases of treating Herpes with BHT, Mr. Fowkes reports that side effects and problems have been few and minor and very much dose-related.
What are the side effects of BHT? Over-dosing with BHT can cause hives in a few people- but only temporarily. It goes away when you stop the BHT or reduce the dosage. Taking too much BHT (such multi-gram doses daily) has also caused dizziness and disorientation in some people, but again, with no permanent harm. However, based on his experience, both personal and clinical, Dr. Fowkes recommends limiting BHT consumption to 1 gram daily and never exceeding it. That measure alone should prevent adverse effects in virtually everyone who takes BHT.
But even 1 gram daily is too much to start with. It makes sense to start with a lower dose, such as 350 mgs and keep it there for a while, perhaps 6 weeks. For one thing, that much may be enough to achieve viral suppression. If not, then the dose can be doubled to 700 mgs daily, and even that dose can be safely taken- indefinitely. Higher doses, such as 1000 mgs daily should probably be limited to short-term use only, such as during an outbreak.
It is well known that BHT slows down the body's ability to metabolize alcohol, therefore those taking BHT should limit their alcohol consumption. Also, BHT has somewhat of a blood-thinning effect, so those taking blood thinners and those who have blood clotting problems should consult with their doctors before using BHT. The vast majority of people who take BHT daily to treat Herpes experience no side effects at all.
How long do you have to take BHT to "cure" Herpes? It is best not to use the word "cure" because even the anti-viral drugs that are used in Medicine to treat Herpes are not thought to cure it but only to control it. Suppressing herpes outbreaks is the most important objective, whether you are taking anti-viral drugs or BHT. And in both cases, the improvement is gradual, marked by a gradual reduction in the number and severity of outbreaks, usually over a course of months, until eventually the outbreaks stop completely. Taking BHT, It may take a few months to notice a significant reduction in outbreaks, and the full benefit may take a year. However, BHT works at least as well as any of the anti-viral drugs, and it is much easier and more comfortable to take. It is also much less expensive.
Have people experienced a reversal in their Herpes blood antibody test going from positive (bad) to negative (good) from taking BHT? The answer is yes, but there are only anecdotal reports of this by individuals and no formal studies. When you consider safety, effectiveness, ease, comfort, and cost, I believe that BHT is the most attractive option for Herpes sufferers today. And based on the results I have seen, if I had Herpes, I would definitely take BHT.
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