The liver is responsible for processing energy from nutrients, making bile for digestion and metabolizing alcohol. Fatty liver disease is a buildup of fat in the cells that make up this important organ. According to the website for Jackson-Siegelbaum Gastroenterology, fatty liver may lead to inflammation and cirrhosis. The specific cause of the buildup remains unknown, but the condition might be symptomatic of other medical problems, such as diabetes mellitus or vitamin-A toxicity. No studies prove categorically that vitamin intake will affect liver function or reduce fat buildup. Talk to your doctor before taking any supplements, especially if taking prescription medication.
Vitamin C
The National Center for Biotechnology Information stated in a study conducted by Ege University Medical School in 2005 concluded that vitamin C, in combination with vitamin E, was an effective and low-cost option to treat fatty liver. As a protective measure, a reasonably lose dose of 500 mg a day, when taken with at least 600 mg of vitamin E, may help reduce the amount of fat accumulation and eliminate incidents of fatty liver disease.
Vitamin E
"USA Today" reports that a study from the "New England Journal of Medicine" in August 2010 shows high dosages of around 800 IU of vitamin E may help those with fatty deposits in their livers. The article states that 20 percent of Americans have some fat in their livers and 5 percent have a serious form of the illness. Doctors do not recommend taking huge doses of the vitamin until further research can confirm the effectiveness, but the use of vitamin E to improve liver function looks promising.
Vitamin B3
MayoClinic.com states that one way to reduce the risk of developing fatty liver disease is to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, vitamin B3, also known as niacin, is effective in reducing cholesterol and may work better than some medications. Niacin comes with considerable side effects, such as skin flushing, and long-term use may damage the liver. You should only take supplemental B3 if your doctor recommends it. A regimen of niacin treatments must have medical supervision to avoid long-term problems.
References
- National Center for Biotechnology Information: Management of Fatty Liver Disease with Vitamin E and C compared to Ursodeoxycholic Acid Treatment
- USAToday: Vitamin E Shows Promise for Treating Fatty Liver Disease
- Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology: Fatty Liver
- Puristat.com: Fatty Liver Disease
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
- MayoClinic.com: Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Lifestyle and Home Remedies
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