There are two main types of liver ailments---alcoholic liver disease and nonalcoholic liver disease. Alcoholic liver disease is caused by heavy alcohol consumption and includes a fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis. The cause of nonalcoholic liver disease is not always known but it can also lead to a fatty liver, hepatitis and cirrhosis. Both types of liver disease can lead to liver failure and death. Vitamins have not been proven to prevent liver disease, but they may slow the progression of certain liver conditions, improve overall health and prevent malnutrition associated with liver disease. In most cases a person with liver disease can get enough vitamins by eating a healthy diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin and antioxidant. Antioxidants destroy free radicals, harmful oxygen molecules that damage tissues and cells and contribute to chronic diseases that affect the liver, heart and other organs. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, many alcoholics with alcoholic liver disease have poor diets that contribute to a vitamin A deficiency.
Medline Plus says a vitamin A deficiency can lead to vision problems and susceptibility to infections. Food sources of vitamin A include dark orange and green-colored fruits and vegetables, dairy products, eggs, organ meats and fish. Alcoholics should try to get vitamin A from food; supplements can be toxic when combined with alcohol. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, vitamin A supplements should be administered to only those alcoholics with a known deficiency who have significantly reduced their alcohol intake.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin and antioxidant. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism says people with alcoholic liver disease are often deficient in vitamin C, which can lead to unhealthy hair, gums, teeth and skin, impaired wound healing and immunity, nosebleeds, anemia, swollen or painful joints and slowed metabolism. Food sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, bell peppers, berries and melons.
According to a 2003 study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology by researchers at the Brooke Army Medical Center, vitamin C and E supplements appear to decrease inflammation and fibrosis associated with nonalcoholic liver disease. Fibrosis is the over-accumulation of scar tissue in the liver that interferes with normal liver processes and can lead to liver failure.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin and antioxidant that benefits nonalcoholic liver disease, according to the 2003 American Journal of Gastroenterology article. Vitamin E is in vegetable oils, nuts, wheat germ and seeds. The healthiest way to get vitamin E is through the diet because high doses of vitamin E supplements can be toxic, according to Medline Plus.
B Vitamins
According to the institute on alcohol abuse, people with alcoholic liver disease are often deficient in the B vitamin thiamine (B1). The Mayo Clinic says alcohol can also deplete the B vitamins riboflavin (B2) and pyroxidine (B6). A deficiency in thiamine can lead to Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, a condition that can cause brain damage. The institute on alcohol abuse says alcoholics should get at least 50 mg of supplemental thiamine a day; they may also take a standard multivitamin that contains riboflavin and pyroxidine.
Dietary sources of thiamine include fortified grain products, wheat germ, pork, fish, dried beans, peas and soybeans. Riboflavin is in lean meats, eggs, legumes, nuts, green leafy vegetables and dairy products. Pyroxidine is in beans, nuts, legumes, eggs, meats, fish, whole grains, and fortified breads and cereals.
References
- "American Journal of Gastroenterology"; Vitamin E and Vitamin C Treatment Improves Fibrosis in Patients With Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis; S.A. Harrison et al.; November 2003
- Mayo Clinic: Alcoholic Hepatitis
- Mayo Clinic: Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
- Medline Plus: Vitamins
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: Alcoholic Liver Disease
