Liver cancer, also called hepatocellular carcinoma, is a debilitating disease that is often caused by a scarring of the liver. This scarring, or cirrhosis, may be caused by alcohol abuse, autoimmune disease, hepatitis, or excessive iron intake. Treatment for liver cancer can include chemotherapy, radiation, medications, and transplant. Nutrition may play a role in the therapeutic treatment of liver cancer, and should be complimentary to medical treatments. Certain food items may maintain or improve some of the symptoms associated with liver cancer, such as beta carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium.
Beta Carotene
Beta carotene is a naturally occurring chemical found in many plants and is a precursor to vitamin A. Beta carotene has been found to protect the body against toxic compounds called free radicals, which can attack your liver making the symptoms of liver cancer worse. The accumulation of free radicals in your liver may increase the rate in which the cancer spreads. By removing free radicals with beta carotene, you may help protect your liver from further damage. Foods that are high in beta carotene are green leafy vegetables, carrots, kale, sweet potatoes and squash.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is a powerful antioxidant, helping your liver remove free radicals and improving overall liver function. Vitamin C also plays a role in improving your immune system function. When you are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment for liver cancer, your immune system can become weakened. A weak immune system may make you more susceptible for other illnesses. Vitamin C will boost your immune system and minimize the suppression of your immune system resulting from cancer treatment. Foods that are high in vitamin C include citrus fruits, particularly oranges, as well as many sweet peppers.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin that also acts as an antioxidant for your body. Vitamin E helps protect your body's tissues from breakdown during cancer treatment. Chemotherapy and radiation not only attack and kill cancer cells, but healthy cells as well. Vitamin E may serve a protective role against the breakdown of healthy cells during chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Vitamin E also blocks the formation of nitrosamines, which are carcinogens that are formed in your stomach from nitrates in your diet and may contribute to the progression of liver cancer. Foods that are high in vitamin E are many cereals, nuts, and vegetables like tomatoes and spinach.
Selenium
Selenium is a chemical element that is somewhat rare in nature. Although selenium's ability to help prevent cancer is controversial, it may play a role in the treatment of liver cancer. Evidence suggests that selenium can improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy by enhancing the efficiency of the treatment. Selenium may help reduce the toxicity of chemotherapy drugs on healthy tissues as well as prevent your body's resistance to certain drugs. Selenium can be found in nuts, seeds, shellfish, fish and red meat.
References
- Pub Med Health; Hepatocellular Carcinoma; 2009
- Liver Cancer Center; Nutrition Therapy
- "The New Encyclopedia of Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements, and Herbs"; Nicola Reavley; 1999
