Research has found that supplementation with glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) helps treat and prevent many complications of hemorrhoids. GAGs are structural components naturally present in the blood vessels. They are essential for protecting and maintaining arterial and venous strength, function, structure, and integrity. GAGs help relieve hemorrhoidal symptoms by improving the blood flow, strength, and function of the affected veins. In two double-blind studies, GAGs have been found to be even more effective in treating the symptoms of hemorrhoids than hydroxyethylrutosides (HER) or bilberry extract.
In one clinical study, 40 female patients with hemorrhoids were administered an oral treatment of either 50 milligrams of GAGs (heparan sulfate) or a control drug (oxerutin) three times daily for 3 days. Treatment was continued for another two weeks, with a dose of 50 milligrams of GAGs or a control drug twice daily. The patients treated with GAGs showed a significant improvement in symptoms, including a better result in reduction of bleeding compared with the patients taking the control drug. (4)
In another study, 67 hospitalized patients with acutely inflamed hemorrhoids were treated with a heparin-enzyme paste consisting of heparin (GAGs), trypsin and chymotrypsin. The paste was applied to the patients' inflamed hemorrhoids for an average of 2 days. The results were compared with 22 hospitalized patients with hemorrhoids treated with conventional methods including the application of a glycerin and magnesium sulphate paste. The patients treated with the heparin-enzyme paste showed a significant improvement in symptoms including a reduction of pain, hemorrhoidal size, swelling and tenderness.
"The effectiveness of the traditional conservative method of treatment could be gainfully supplemented by use of the pharmaceutical preparation suggested in this study," the study author concludes.
Posted by Kristopher Foster on May 3, 2006 01:30 PM
