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Liver Disease and Multivitamins
In general, taking a multivitamin is a good idea for managing chronic liver disease – but choosing the right one requires awareness of three potential hazards.
A multivitamin is one of the most commonly used nutritional supplement in the U.S., but few realize how valuable it can be for managing chronic liver disease. Taking a multivitamin to help support the liver’s well-being is an obvious choice. However, there are some potential vitamin hazards to avoid. Because they can be instrumental in preventing liver disease progression and complications, living healthfully with chronic liver disease typically involves taking a multivitamin. Nonetheless, those affected will benefit most when they choose their multivitamin wisely.
Cellular Oxidation
Oxidative damage is a frequent cause of liver cell injury, a definitive pathway to the worsening of chronic liver disease. Known as cellular oxidation, this is a natural process where free radicals break down organic tissue.
Without adequate levels of antioxidants in the body, free radicals can damage liver cells. Free radicals can be generated from:
• normal metabolic processes
• sunlight
• pollution
• toxins
• stress
• disease
In someone with chronic liver disease, excessive amounts of free radicals contribute to liver scarring and the liver’s subsequent functional decline. Antioxidants bind with free radicals – neutralizing them so they can’t cause damage to nearby cells. Many common vitamins, like Vitamin A, C and E, are potent antioxidants that prevent cellular oxidation. Hence, multivitamins offer a broad spectrum of free radical fighting antioxidants.
Vitamin D
Another reason for someone with chronic liver disease to take a multivitamin is the supplement’s typical inclusion of Vitamin D. According to researchers from the University of Tennessee in Memphis, over 90 percent of individuals with chronic liver disease have some degree of Vitamin D deficiency. The researchers agreed that severe Vitamin D deficiency was more common among those with cirrhosis – an advanced form of liver disease.
While primarily known for its role in bone health, Vitamin D is also an important nutrient for maintaining cardiovascular, immune and neurological health. According to lead researcher Dr. Satheesh P. Nair, “Since deficiency is common among these patients, Vitamin D replacement may hopefully prevent osteoporosis and other bone complications related to end stage liver disease.”
Liver Detoxification
One of the liver’s principle functions is to detoxify the blood. Many factors play into detoxification, a natural process that may be hampered in those with chronic liver disease. A liver that has sustained significant damage is less able to perform its detoxification duties. This inability to filter toxins leaves a higher concentration of them to accumulate in the liver, a situation that ends up causing even more damage to currently functioning liver cells.
Several ingredients in a good multivitamin will aid the liver in detoxification, such as:
• Vitamin C
• Beta Carotene (Vitamin A)
• Vitamin E
• B Vitamins
Cautionary Multivitamin Components
When it comes to choosing a multivitamin for someone with chronic liver disease, not all supplements are created equally. The following are important considerations when choosing the right multivitamin:
1. Vitamin A – Although Vitamin A has several benefits to offer someone with liver concerns, it can be toxic to the liver in high dosages. Experts suggest that those with cirrhosis not take more than 5,000 Units per day. However, Vitamin A as beta-carotene is not toxic to the liver and can be taken in any amount.
2. Vitamin E – Again, Vitamin E has several benefits to offer someone with liver concerns, but it can be hazardous if taken in excess. In doses over 1,200 IU per day, Vitamin E can thin the blood and cause bleeding.
3. Iron – Iron may promote the formation of scar tissue in the liver. Therefore, those with chronic liver disease – and especially those with cirrhosis – should take multivitamins without iron unless their physician has determined that they are iron deficient.
A good multivitamin supplies the body with Vitamin D, a wide range of antioxidants and assistance in liver detoxification. However, those with chronic liver disease should be aware of the quantity of Vitamin E, the quantity and form of Vitamin A and the presence or absence of iron. By knowing what to look for and choosing an appropriate multivitamin, managing chronic liver disease will be one step easier.
http://adam.about.net/reports/Vitamins.htm, Vitamins, Retrieved June
12, 2011, About.com, 2011.
http://www.ajcn.org/content/85/1/265S.full, Multivitamin/Mineral Supplements and Prevention of Chronic Disease: Executive Summary, Huang, H-Y, et al, Retrieved June 12, 2011, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, January 2007.
http://www.ehow.com/about_4572247_what-vitamins-antioxidants.html, What Vitamins Are Antioxidants?, Nancy Steely, Retrieved June 12, 2011, Demand Media, Inc., 2011.
http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hcsp/articles/Herrera.html, Cirrhosis in Chronic Hepatitis C Infection, Jorge L. Herrera, MD, Retrieved June 12, 2011, Hepatitis C Support Project, 2011.
http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hcsp/articles/RILEY.html, Preventative Care in Chronic Liver Diseases, Thomas R. Riley, Retrieved June 12, 2011, Hepatitis C Support Project, 2011.
http://www.healingdaily.com/liver-detoxification.htm, Liver Detoxification, Retrieved June 12, 2011, Healing Daily, 2011.
http://www.liversupport.com/wordpress/2009/07/helping-your-liver-with-alpha-r-lipoic-acid/, Helping Your Liver with Alpa R-Lipoic Acid, Nicole Cutler, L.Ac,. Retrieved June 12, 2011, Natural Wellness, 2011.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/449487-can-vitamins-contribute-to-liver-disease/, Can Vitamins Contribute to Liver Disease?, Adam Cloe, Retrieved June 12, 2011, Demand Media Inc., 2011.
http://www.rejuvenation-science.com/n_vitamin-d-ibd.html, Vitamin D Deficiency Common in Patients with IBD, Chronic Liver Disease, Retrieved June 12, 2011, Rejuvenation Science, 2011.
http://www.tcolincampbell.org/courses-resources/article/cirrhosis/?tx_ttnews[backPid]=76&cHash=65771f2c0c, Cirrhosis, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Retrieved June 12, 2011, T. Colin Campbell Foundation, 2011.
Palmer, Melissa, MD, Doctor Melissa Palmer’s Guide to Hepatitis and Liver Disease, Penguin Group, New York, NY, 2004: pp 392-398.
About the Author
Nicole Cutler, L.Ac., MTCM is a long time advocate of integrating perspectives on health. With a Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience from the University of Rochester and a Master's degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Five Branches Institute, Nicole has been a licensed acupuncturist since 2000. She has gathered acupuncture licenses in the states of California and New York, is a certified specialist with the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association, has earned diplomat status with the National Commission of Chinese and Oriental Medicine in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology and is a member of the Society for Integrative Oncology. In addition to her acupuncture practice that focuses on stress and pain relief, digestion, immunity and oncology, Nicole contributes to the integration of healthcare by writing articles for professional massage therapists and people living with liver disease.
I take Milk Thistle & Super Beta Prostate.Can these be taken together.Whats a good multivitamin to take with someone who has chronic hep for 30 yrs now.Thanks,Kevin
I have hep-c and I have been taking Milk thistle also.
but my G.I. doctor told me two weeks ago that the UNC health center just found out it does no good for the liver, so save your money and its one less thing to go throw your liver. She prescribed INCIVEK along with pegIFN, and ribavirin. check out the price for INCIVEK. I checked on the internet for a price; $49200.oo. Yes thats right! The other two are expensive also, but not that high.
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I have cirrhosis,hepc diagnosed 2006, had 2 transfusions in 1977, not many symptoms, after treatment relapsed biopsy revealed cirrhosis. I have taken milk thistle, chelated zinc and vitamin D3, I have stayed at the lower level of staging since the biopsy. I eat dry foods vegtables and chicken, rarely red meat, I am surviving better than some, fingers crossed
How old were you??
Anyone with Hep-C / Liver Disease that takes Milk Thistle should really consider Phytosomed Milk Thistle, there is a website that sells it in UK – Milk Thistle is poorly absorbed by the gut and so you do not get the doses the liver needs for it to be beneficial, Phytosomed Milk Thistle is where the molecules of MT have been bound to molecules of soy phospholipids , as these soy phospholipids are highly absorbable it means you get 8-10 times the dose of MT from same amount used in other tablets, they also only use Silybin and not the whole Milk Thistle or Silymarin compound in the process which is the part of Milk Thistle that does all the work (Silymarin is 70% Silybin), price I pay in UK is about 2-3 times that of normal milk thistle but you get 8-10 times the dose AND its effective, it has been clinically proven by scientists too & to lower ALT better than normal MT (for those that are skeptical), look it up, i wont post any links incase my post is disregarded as promotion – I have used it for years and get no symptoms and ALT is always below 45 (which is good for sum1 with hep-c for 12 years)
RE: Phytosomed, I would appreciate more info on this product from UK. How can I find it?
I had to buy in from the US from Natural Wellness. Had a look at UK sites but could not find the Phytosome
in stage 3 fatty liver . what should i do ? thanks
I have a fatty liver (non-achohlic)with HCV and the 1 & only thing helping me are the Herbalife products i can function better , think better,have more energy it has helped billions of people with doctors wanting to loook into it has the leading doctors and scientist making the product it WORKS
Herbalife is all of ya’lls answer forget about the milk thisle Herbalife turned me around and i feel good now HERBALIFE is what you need!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You should look into the Herbalife products to see who is making it and where all the info on Herbalife and you will see the superior product for HCVwith fatty liver like me i also have severe deppression and COPD and i am telling you HERBALIFE is what you need!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What if you don’t have Iiver disease and you donate plasma. And they say I can not donate because my liver enzymes are high
Does anyone know what vitamins and/or Supplements are safe for Primary Billiary Chirrosis (PBC)?
When were you diagnosed and what’s your age. Forward reply to my email: caringheartclinic@gmail.com
My service is free.
Dr. Felix.
I also have advanced PBC with Hepatic Encephalopathy, caused by auto immune Bile Duct Disease and I know I have to avoid protein overload as well as iron, zinc, copper, ect. I need to know about Potassium. I can’t seem to find anything that tells me if it is harmful or helpful (by the way, putting anything into your body when the Liver is not functioning is a crap shoot) Toxic brain is not fun nor is the Narcolepsy that results from ammonia in my case. I am now experiencing severe muscle cramps in my feet, legs, hips and yesterday, my left index finger that looked more like a claw for a good 3 to 5 minutes. Never had that happen before. I know potassium would help the muscle cramps but finding a Nutritionist who understands liver disease is impossible. I went to one who told me to avoid fat and sodium and eat lots of protein??? Uh… No. Anyone know about the dangers or benefits of potassium or what website I could go to that will tell me?
Hello, Louise. If you or anyone would want to talk to a Hepatologist that has a 95% success rate in reversing chronic liver-related diseases free of charge, here is my email: caringheartclinic@gmail.com
The University of Tennessee is not in Memphis.
Thanks Temika! Actually the article and references are referring to the University of Tennessee, Health Science Center which is located in Memphis.
I have autoimmune hepatitis [which is now in cirrhosis stage] – I was diagnosed last year and a year before that I was diagnosed with ATP. I am on steroids, beta blockers,immunosuppressant tablets which seem to be working well. However I am still very very tired and would like to know if there are any foods that would help me or what type of multivitamin should I take. I live in Ireland so it would have to be something that is sold here.
Do you know if you are deficient in any particular nutrient?
I am interested in this as well. I testing positive for Hep B in Jan. while dealing with an RA diagnosis. I was floored. At this point seems to be more watching my labs. I am 56 and health has hit this very over achiever person hard. But I am a vitamin taker and the info I have reviewed seems to cation various vitamins. And than the issues with the restriction from my RA meds. Never took meds, but this past 1 I have been introduced to a few……
Anyway, the big question is what is save for my liver in the way of multiples, C,D, E, B, Omga 3, medimucil, magnesium……..