Chronic liver disease led to almost 30,000 deaths in the United States in 2007, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Liver disease can begin as liver damage, gradually preventing your liver from producing the enzymes required to process chemicals in your body, metabolize fats and sugars, and support your metabolism. A number of vitamins can have an effect on liver damage and disease if consumed in excessively high doses.
Vitamin A
One vitamin that can have an effect on liver function and disease is vitamin A, a general term for a class of compounds called retinoids. Vitamin A toxicity can contribute to liver damage, toxicity and disease, since excess vitamin A consumption leads to toxic retinoid accumulation in your liver. In addition to liver damage, the excess vitamin A can harm your skin, nervous system and bones, and can even prove fatal in some cases, according to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University.
Niacin
In some cases, taking certain types of niacin supplements can promote liver damage and disease. Individuals taking nicotinic acid, a form of niacin used to treat high cholesterol, can damage your liver. Over time, individuals taking even moderate doses of quick-release nicotinic acid are at risk of developing jaundice and elevated liver enzymes -- two signs of liver disease -- according to the Linus Pauling Institute. If you take nicotinic acid supplements to lower your blood cholesterol, talk to your doctor about the potential risk of liver damage.
Vitamin E
In some cases, individuals suffering from a liver disease face an increased risk of nutrient deficiencies. Specifically, liver disease can lead to a vitamin E deficiency, since your liver aids in the breakdown and absorption of vitamin E-containing fatty foods. This deficiency can lead to a loss of muscle tissue and muscle function, as well as nerve damage that can affect your vision and muscle movement. A chronic vitamin E deficiency can also hinder liver function, worsening the health of an already-damaged liver.
Multivitamins and Your Liver
In addition to the specific vitamins that can affect the health of your liver, other ingredients found in multivitamins might contribute to liver disease. Many multivitamins contain iron, an essential mineral. Over-consuming multivitamin supplements can lead to excessive iron consumption, causing an iron toxicity that causes liver damage, and can also damage your gastrointestinal tract and nervous system. Never consume multivitamins at a dose higher than recommended by your doctor, and avoid combining iron-containing supplements to prevent an iron overdose.
References
- Linus Pauling Institute; Vitamin A; Dr. Jane Higdon; December 2003
- Linus Pauling Institute; Niacin; Dr. Jane Higdon; August 2002
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin E
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: Iron Poisoning
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Faststats: Chronic Liver Disease
