Obesity can contribute to a nonalcoholic liver disease known as steatohepatitis, which affects the liver's ability to digest fats. While the disease previously had no known treatments other than lifestyle modifications for weight loss, a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine indicates vitamin E may have some benefits to disease sufferers. While the results must be tested further, vitamin E may offer some hope to those suffering from steatohepatitis.
Research
A study published in the May 6, 2010 edition of "The New England Journal of Medicine" examined the effects of vitamin E supplementation on liver disease. The study focused on patients that have nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, which is a common liver condition that can lead to cirrhosis. The 247 adults who participated in the study were given 800 international units of vitamin E twice daily, placebo pills or a diabetes medication. Liver function was shown to improve by 47 percent in those who took the vitamin E pills. "In all honesty, I was surprised," said Dr. Arun Sanyal, the study's lead researcher in an Associated Press interview published on CBS News. "A vitamin has not been previously used to cure a serious disease."
Research Note
While Vitamin E was shown to improve liver function in patients, it was not shown to reduce fibrosis in the liver. Fibrosis causes tissues in the liver to scar. The scar tissue cannot function as normal liver tissue, thus impairing liver function. Because vitamin E did not reduce this symptom, it may not offer as much promise in the treatment of advanced forms of liver disease where significant scarring has already occurred.
Additional Connections
Vitamin E has previously been connected with liver function because vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin. Pediatric patients with cholestatic liver disease are less able to absorb fat and therefore vitamins like vitamin E. A lack of vitamin E can cause a number of adverse health effects, including impaired neurological symptoms, muscle weakness and damage to the eye retinas. Vitamin E also prevents fats from low-density lipoprotein -- LDL -- cholesterol from oxidizing in the body. LDL moves from the liver to the body's tissues. Increased oxidization is associated with the increased likelihood of cardiovascular disease.
Warning
Although vitamin E may offer benefits if you suffer from liver disease, check with your physician before starting a high-dose vitamin E regimen to help you reduce the effects of liver disease.
