Liver disease is a common and preventable condition affecting the liver in various ways. Sometimes, there are no signs and symptoms of liver disease. Other times it can cause pain, fatigue, weight loss, liver malfunction, nausea, swelling in the legs and easy bruising. Your diet and vitamin intake affects your chances of developing liver disease. Diet and vitamin supplement modifications may be part of treatment.
Liver Disease
Excess alcohol consumption is a main cause of liver disease, although anyone can get nonalcoholic liver disease. Alcohol-induced liver disease may be either from a buildup of fat in the liver, scarring or inflammation. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is from too much fat accumulating in the liver cells. Some fat is normal, but if between 5 and 10 percent of your liver's weight is fat, then you have nonalcoholic liver disease. If you have any symptoms of liver disease, see your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. Do not take vitamin supplements or try alternative treatment without your doctor's approval.
Risk Factors
A lack of vitamins and other important nutrients like minerals in your diet leads to malnutrition over time. Malnutrition is a risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Eating a balanced diet and getting enough nutrients is critical to preventing malnutrition, which is especially common in the elderly who have a difficult time absorbing nutrients. Obesity, high cholesterol, quick weight loss, gastric bypass surgery and metabolic syndrome also increase your chances of developing liver disease. Ask your doctor if you are eating right and getting enough vitamins in your diet.
Cirrhosis and Vitamin A Toxicity
Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver that can occur from several causes. One cause of cirrhosis is toxic doses of vitamin A. Vitamin A toxicity, or hypervitaminosis A, causes a variety of symptoms, one of which is liver damage. Blurred vision, bone pain, loss of appetite, dizziness, tiredness, headaches, nausea, vomiting, hair and skin changes, yellowing of the skin, and light sensitivity are other common symptoms. Your doctor can perform a liver function test to diagnose liver damage. Treatment for vitamin A toxicity is to cease taking vitamin A supplements.
Vitamins for Liver Protection
Antioxidant vitamins theoretically should help to protect the liver. Vitamins A, C and E are antioxidants. These vitamins, along with other antioxidants, decrease or neutralize damage to the liver caused by inflammation. However, research has not yet demonstrated a protective effect on the liver from vitamins, according to MayoClinic.com. Eating more fruits and vegetables increases your antioxidant levels safely. You can also take supplements, but first speak with your doctor about dosages and potential side effects.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; February 2011
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Liver Disease
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Cirrhosis: Causes
- MayoClinic.com; Senior Health: How to Detect and Prevent Malnutrition; September 2009
- MayoClinic.com; Cirrhosis; January 2011
- PubMed Health: Hypervitaminosis A
- Medline Plus: Antioxidants
- American Liver Foundation: Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
