Over the counter, or OTC, vitamins may help people with liver problems such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, fatty liver and alcoholic liver disease, or ALD, but in many cases eating a nutritious and balanced diet that is rich in nutrient-dense foods can have the same benefits. OTC vitamins are classified as dietary supplements and are not federally regulated and should not replace prescription medications or traditional therapies for liver problems. Individuals with liver problems should consult a physician about whether an OTC vitamin is right for them.
Antioxidants
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIAAA, individuals with ALD, a condition caused by overconsumption of alcohol that can lead to liver failure, are often deficient in vitamins A and C. Vitamins A and C are antioxidants, substances that protect the body from harmful elements and toxins that damage the body's cells and tissues and contribute to liver disease.
Vitamin E, another antioxidant, may benefit people with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, NASH. NASH damages the liver by causing fatty buildup, the development of scar tissue and inflammation. According to a 2003 study in the "American Journal of Gastroenterology" by researchers at Brooke Army Medical Center, vitamins E and C appear to improve fibrosis in NASH. Liver fibrosis is characterized by tough, fibrous scar tissue in the liver that can cause the organ to malfunction.
Vitamins A, C and E can be taken as OTC vitamins on their own or as part of a multivitamin or an antioxidant supplement. The NIAAA warns that vitamin A from food is safe but supplements can be toxic when mixed with alcohol and should not be taken by people with ALD who continue to consume alcohol. Food sources of vitamin A include dark orange and green vegetables, milk, eggs and liver. Vitamin C is in citrus fruits, peppers, berries, melons, white potatoes and green leafy vegetables. Vitamin E is in vegetable oils, nuts and seeds.
Fat-Soluble Vitamins
Vitamins A, D, E and K are known as fat-soluble vitamins because they need fat to be absorbed and used by the body. According to Merck, primary biliary cirrhosis, or PBC, can cause fat-soluble vitamin deficiencies. PBC is a liver problem that scars and blocks the bile ducts. Bile ducts transport bile, a substance used to digest fat, to the large intestine. When bile ducts are blocked, fat digestion is hindered, which can lead to malabsoprtion of fat-soluble vitamins.
Merck says vitamin supplements are often needed to correct vitamin deficiencies associated with PBC. Fat-soluble vitamins are available as individual OTC vitamins or as part of a multivitamin. Food sources of vitamin D include milk and fortified cereals and grain products. Vitamin K is in green leafy vegetables and vegetable oils.
Thiamin
Thiamin is a water-soluble B vitamin. According to the NIAAA, individuals with ALD are often thiamin- deficient due to a poor diet. A severe thiamin deficiency can lead to Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, a disorder that can result in brain damage. The NIAAA recommends that all alcoholics undergoing treatment for ALD take 50 mg of thiamin a day as an oral supplement or injection. Individual OTC thiamin supplements are available; thiamin can also be taken as part of a multivitamin or a B-complex vitamin. Thiamin can be consumed by eating fortified cereals, pastas and breads, wheat germ, lean meat such as pork, fish, dried beans, peas and soybeans.
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.
- Merck: Primary Biliary Cirrhosis
- National Digestive Disease Information Clearinghouse: Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin and Mineral Supplement Fact Sheets
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: Alcoholic Liver Disease
