Cirrhosis of the liver is a degenerative inflammatory disease that involves hardening, or scarring, of liver tissue. Damaged liver tissue prevents normal blood and bile flow, leading to fatigue, jaundice, fluid retention in your abdomen, swollen legs, nausea, loss of appetite and weight loss. Overconsumption of alcohol is the most common cause of cirrhosis, though you also may get liver disease from hepatitis, chronic inflammation and malnutrition. Talk to your doctor before starting holistic treatment for cirrhosis.
Diet
Cirrhosis causes malnutrition in many cases, so eating a healthy diet is important for getting sufficient nutrients. Eat plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains to get essential vitamins and minerals. Dietary protein may help, especially in cases of fluid retention, but excess protein leads to ammonia build up. Consult your doctor for protein recommendations and choose plant proteins such as soy, beans and nuts, if possible. Avoid prepackaged and processed foods such as canned foods, crackers and cold cuts, which are high in sodium. Do not eat raw or undercooked shellfish, which may contain harmful Vibrio vulnificus bacteria.
Vitamins
In addition to diet, deal with malnutrition by taking vitamin supplements, with your doctor's permission. B vitamins are essential for proper digestion and absorption of nutrients, so take a 100 mg B-complex three times a day, plus extra vitamin B12 in a sublingual, or under-the-tongue, form if possible. Take 200 micrograms of folic acid daily and try choline and inositol for a fatty liver. Calcium, magnesium and vitamin C also are important to heal tissues and act as antioxidants. Take 1,500 mg daily of calcium, 750 mg of magnesium and 3,000 to 8,000 mg of vitamin C.
Herbs
Herbs that may help cirrhosis include alfalfa, aloe vera juice, milk thistle, barberry, black radish, burdock, celandine, cheonanthus, dandelion, echinacea, fennel, goldenseal, hops, horsetail, Irish moss, red clover, rose hips, suma, thyme and wild Oregon grape, according to Dr. James Balch in "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." Alfalfa builds digestive tract health and is a good source of vitamin K, which prevents bleeding. Drink 1/4 cup aloe vera juice plain or in herbal tea to cleanse the digestive tract. Take 420 mg of silymarin, or milk thistle, which may help improve liver function, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Dietary Supplements
Try antioxidant supplements, betaine, SAMe and branched chain amino acids for cirrhosis. Antioxidants, including vitamin A, C, E, selenium, methionine and coenzyme-Q10, may treat early biliary cirrhosis, in which liver bile ducts are slowly destroyed. Betaine reduces homocysteine levels associated with higher incidence of liver disease and heart disease. SAMe, or S-adenosylmethionine, may reduce bilirubin, the substance associated with jaundice or yellow skin, as well as normalize liver enzyme levels. Branched chain amino acids, also called BCAAs, may benefit patients with chronic hepatic encephalopathy, a brain disorder that also causes liver damage.
References
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; James F. Balch, M.D., et al.; 1997
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Cirrhosis; Steven D. Ehrlich, N.M.D.; September 2009
- MayoClinic.com; Cirrhosis; January 2011
