Vitamins and Supplements Now

In Hungarian (Magyar) What should you know about Liver Disorders and Nutritional Supplementaion for the All Mighty Liver? The Nutritional Supplementation below is not just for the heavier liver issues, like: hepatits, that I am also talking about in this article, BUT this nutritional supplementation is a must for everybody on regular basis to help the liver do its ditoxofication job properly and on regular basis. The liver is our largest organ. Located in the upper right portion abdominal cavity, the liver weighs approximately three to five pounds. The liver’s primary function is to filter toxins out of the blood and break them down into harmless substances that can be eliminated from the body. At any given time, the liver contains about 300 milliliters of blood, which amounts to just under one and a half cups. The liver has many other important jobs in addition to its role as the body’s blood filter. The liver metabolizes nutrients, stores blood glucose in the form of glycogen, and aids in the digestion of fat by producing bile. The liver is divided into four sections called “lobes”. The right lobe is the largest followed by the left. The remaining are smaller. The right and left lobes are partitioned into lobules. A lobule is a cluster of liver cells surrounding a central vein. A network of blood vessels called “sinusoid” nourishes the cells. The sinusoids are lined with specialized cells called “Kuppfer cells”. These cells are very important as they perform the liver’s filtration functions. Kuppfer cells are “phagocytes”, otherwise know as “big eaters”. They are called big eaters, because they eat up various foreign substances in the blood. Acting as garbage collectors for the body, Kuppfer cells remove dead cells, bacteria, toxins, metabolic wastes, and any other not wanted material that may be circulating through the sinusoids. When the liver does not function properly or in liver disease, a number of very important regulatory, metabolic and storage functions are compromised. Because of the important and extensive roles of the liver, a diseased liver results in serious illness. The liver in the human body has over 500 jobs. Among its functions, the liver will: Produce bile salts; Filter and detoxify blood; Eliminate bilirubin – a waste byproduct produced when worn out red blood cells are broken down; Metabolize hormones; Metabolize drugs; Synthesize glucose; Store glycogen; Store vitamins and minerals; Form lipoproteins; Convert carbohydrates and proteins to fat; Convert ammonia to urea; Manufacture cholesterol; Form ketones from fatty acids; Synthesize plasma proteins; Synthesize clotting factors. Some of the general sings and symptoms of a sluggish liver are: yellowing of the skin, eyes and linings of the nose and mouth, mental confusion, kidney disorders, skin disorders, sterility, impotence, menstrual abnormalities (premenstrual syndrome-PMS). Cirrhosis is one of the most serious of all liver diseases. Cirrhosis is a chronic degenerative condition characterized by progressive scarring and buildup of fibrous tissue in the liver. Liver function declines as the disease progresses. According to the National Centre for Health Statistics and the American Liver Foundation: Cirrhosis is the 7th leading disease related cause of death in the US, 22,000 pregnant women are carriers of hepatits B each year, one in every 250 persons is a carrier of the hepatits B virus, about 150,000 people are infected with hepatitis C each year. Some of the general signs and symptoms of Cirrhosis (many patients are asymptomatic until late stages of the disease, and the following list does not insure the presence of this condition) are: weight loss, fatigue, nausea, vague abdominal pain, fluid buildup in the abdominal cavity, enlarged spleen. Cirrhosis causes a variety of symptoms that manifest gradually. Many patients are symptom free until the late stages of the disease. Early symptoms include weight loss, fatigue, nausea and abdominal pain. “Ascites”, or fluid buildup in the abdominal cavity, commonly occurs in the final stages of cirrhosis. Ascites can enlarge the abdomen to twice its normal size. New veins (called collateral veins) are formed to bypass the liver and return blood from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to the heart. Collateral veins in the esophagus and stomach may rupture, leading to massive, often fatal hemorrhage. The spleen may enlarge and the abdomen may be tender. Failure of the liver to carry out its many important functions leads to a variety of serious problems. Jaundice is common. Mental confusion and coma can occur from a build up of toxins (particularly ammonia) normally metabolized by the liver. The kidneys may be unable to keep up with their heightened metabolic load, leading to renal failure. other complications associated with liver failure include skin disorders, endocrine malfunction (including sterility, impotence, menstrual abnormalities, PMS) and anemia. Cirrhosis is a leading cause of death among people aged 45-74 years. There are three types of cirrhosis: post- necrotic, biliary and portal (alcoholic). Approximately 80 percent of cirrhosis cases are portal. Although the major cause of portal cirrhosis is alcoholism, it can occur in non-alcohol drinkers. Since the majority of alcoholics do not develop cirrhosis, other factors clearly play a role in the development of the disease. The liver undergoes several important alterations as cirrhosis worsens. At the beginning, fatty deposits begin to form. Alcohol displaces fat as an energy source. Fat that would normally be used as fuel then begins to accumulate. This fat buildup in the liver causes it to enlarge. This enlargement leads to alcoholic hepatitis, with inflammation and destruction of liver cells. Areas of damaged tissues called “lesions” develop in patches throughout the liver. Eventually, the liver becomes scarred and distorted by bands of fibrous tissue. Liver function is destroyed and blood flow to the liver is obstructed. Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis can result from chronic alcohol abuse, certain medications, trauma, or viral infection. Viral infection is caused by infection from one or more viruses, including hepatitis A,B, C, D and E. All forms of viral hepatitis can cause acute illness, some may lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer. Hepatitis A virus (HAV). HAV infection is primarily transmitted by the fecal-oral route, by either person-to-person contact or consumption of contaminated food or water. Among adults with identified risk factors, the majority of cases are among men who have sex with other men, persons who use illegal drugs, and international travelers. Vaccine is available, however good hygiene and sanitation practices are other primary preventative measures. Hepatitis B virus (HBV), is transmitted through contact with infectious blood, semen, and other body fluids from having sex with an infected person, sharing contaminated needles to inject drugs, or from an infected mother to her newborn. Vaccine is available. An Australian couple in August 2008 went on the run after the New South Wales Supreme Court extended an order forcing them to immunize their newborn against the disease. DOCS (Department of Community Services) took out the order, as doctors say the five-day-old baby is at a high risk of contracting the illness as his mother has the disease. The parents believe (see Vaccine controversy) that aluminum in the vaccine would cause the baby more harm than the disease itself. In the province of Ontario, Canada, Legal Exemptions from vaccinations are available. In Canada vaccinations are not mandatory, they cannot be made mandatory because of Canadian Constitution. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most common form of chronic viral hepatitis. HCV infection sometimes results in an acute illness, but most often becomes a chronic condition that can lead to cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer. Transmission is through contact with the blood of an infected person, primarily through sharing contaminated needles to inject drugs. No vaccine available. Hepatitis D virus (HDV), is caused by infection of the hepatitis delta virus, and is mostly associated with intravenous drug use. Although hepatitis D accounts for less than 5 percent of chronic viral hepatitis, it leads to cirrhosis in 70 percent of cases. Transmission is through contact with infectious blood, similar to how HBV is spread. Signs and symptoms for all forms of hepatitis are similar, although symptoms of HBV are usually the most severe. Some of the signs and symptoms are: headache, loss of appetite, fever, weakness, nausea, indigestion, gas, intolerance to chemical odors, jaundice. Initially, many of those infected are symptom-free. Early symptoms include headache, fatigue, appetite loss, fever, and weakness. Nausea, indigestion, gas, and intolerance of chemical odors occur as the disease worsens. Jaundice, caused by an accumulation of bilirubin in the blood, is the classic sign of hepatitis. The excess bilirubin, a waste product from the breakdown of old red blood cells normally eliminated by the liver via bile, produces the yellowing of the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Jaundice is often accompanied by light, clay colored stool and dark urine. The liver and spleen may become enlarged.
Treatment Options Conventional:Treatment for cirrhosis works on three fronts: 1) Halting liver damage, 2) Reducing symptoms and 3) Providing the needed nutritional support. Alcohol and drugs, especially those metabolized by the liver should be eliminated. Sodium intake is restricted and potassium-sparing diuretics are prescribed to reduce the fluid buildup associated with ascites. Antacids are prescribed to reduce gastric acid and prevent GI bleeding. Antibiotics are given to reduce the ammonia-producing bacteria in the GI tract. Lactulose may be given to help lower the bowel pH and convert ammonia to ammonium ions. The blood does not absorb ammonium ions. The anti-inflammatory drug colchicine, traditionally used in the treatment of gout, has been shown to improve symptoms and increase length of survival in some patients. There is no cure for hepatitis. The acute illness can take two to six months to resolve, and leaves the patient with varying risk for developing chronic liver disease and liver cancer. Acetaminophen and other agents metabolized by the liver should not be taken during acute illness. Alcoholic beverages should be strictly avoided. Antiviral drugs are the only course of treatment for chronic hepatitis. The goal of therapy is to normalize liver function and prevent the virus from multiplying. Alpha-interferon: Although it is effective in only a small group of patients with chronic hepatitis B, alpha-interferon is the antiviral agent mostly widely prescribed for the disease. Interferon is a protein-based substance the body produces to fight viral infections. Synthetic alpha-interferon for use as a drug is made by recombinant DNA technology. Its effectiveness is limited, however, because it does not provide long-term protection. Lamivudine is one of a new class of antiviral drugs. It appears to be very effective and well tolerated by those with hepatitis B infection. Lamivudine often works when alpha-interferon has failed. It also appears to be extremely safe. Diet and Lifestyle: Most important to limit anial protein, avoiding refined sugars and carbohydrates. Increase intake of fresh vegetables and fruits and whole grains! Nutritional Supplementation N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) and S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe). N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a cousin of the amino acid cysteine. NAC helps protect the liver against the damaging effects of toxins. It also promotes detoxification and regeneration of the liver once it has been damaged. NAC helps replenish liver stores of an important detoxifying compound called “glutathione.” As part of the liver’s antioxidant defenses against free radicals, glutathione is an essential for the breakdown and elimination of toxins from the body. NAC also supplies sulfur, an essential dietary mineral needed for detoxification. NAC breaks up mucous, and for this reason has been used clinically in a variety of respiratory illnesses. NAC is also beneficial in conditions that increase the amount of free radicals in the body such as HIV infection, cancer, heart disease, and cigarette smoking. An 18-dose oral course of NAC is currently the mainstay of treatment for liver toxicity caused by an overdose of the drug acetaminophen. N-acetylcysteine also appears to be useful in treating acute heavy metal poisoning. NAC is a metal “chelator,” an agent that binds to heavy metals like lead and mercury, helping to eliminate them from the body. NAC protects both the liver and kidney against heavy metal damage. N-acetylcysteine has proven to be a life-saving therapy in the protection of the liver and kidneys against Amanita mushroom poisoning. It helps detoxify the liver and neutralize other life-threatening challenges such as acetaminophen poisoning and mercury toxicity. S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe), a form of the amino acid methionine, is another dietary supplement that functions in a variety of ways to support liver health. S-adenosyl-L-methionine has a broad range of effects that are currently being explored for use in liver disease. Selenium is an essential trace mineral that supports the immune system and fights free radicals. The body requires selenium as a mineral co-factor for a key anti-free radical enzyme called “glutathione peroxidase. SAMe appears to work in several different ways. For example, liver cirrhosis impairs activity of a key enzyme that helps produce SAMe. Supplemental SAMe can help make up for the loss. SAMe replenishes liver stores of glutathione and sulfur-containing amino acids, which are needed to protect the liver from toxins and free radicals. SAMe also may help make cell membranes more “fluid,” thus allowing various enzymes and other key molecules that operate within these membranes to work more efficiently. Because chronic liver disease alters the structure of cell membranes in a way that makes them less fluid, SAMe may be a key therapeutic nutrient. In fact, very few therapeutic agents are effective for treatment of chronic liver disease. Preliminary evidence for SAMe is promising. In pilot studies, SAMe has restored obstructed bile flow and improved liver function tests. Although SAMe is known to protect the liver in various ways, long-term controlled clinical trials are needed to determine how well it can reverse the symptoms and progression of liver disease. Selenium In an evaluation of 19 hospitalized patients with alcoholic cirrhosis, blood selenium levels were found to be significantly lower in the alcoholic cirrhosis patients than in healthy controls. Among 10 patients who took 100mc of selenium a day, selenium levels were significantly increased and liver function improved. Vitamin C and Vitamin E Vitamin C and vitamin E are antioxidants that can also help protect the liver. This was demonstrated in animal experiments where laboratory rats were administered toxic doses of carbon tetrachloride. The livers in the animals that were pretreated with either vitamin C were substantially protected from tissue injury that normally produces this toxic substance. Zinc Zinc depletion is a common occurrence in patients with various forms of liver disease such as hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, hepatic encephalopathy, and cirrhosis. In view of zinc’s importance, taking a zinc supplements is a good idea for people with liver disease. Whether or not zinc supplements have any effect on the symptoms and progression of liver disease has not been studied in clinical trials. L-Glutamine Glutamine is an amino acid that boosts immune function and supports the body’s defenses against free radicals. Glutamine is used to manufacture a protein called “glutathione” that serves as a key antioxidant, protecting tissues from free radical injury. In one study, animals subjected to acetaminophen poisoning were fed a glutamine-fortified diet. Glutamine protected the liver, preserved liver glutathione stores, and prolonged survival time in these animals. Glutamine enhances immunity by boosting antioxidant protection. One particularly eye-opening study suggests that glutamine may have untapped potential for restoring liver health. In this experiment, animals that had undergone partial surgical removal of the liver were given glutamine intravenously. Within 24 hours, their livers began to regenerate. While this has yet to be demonstrated in humans, glutamine could prove to be a valuable supplemental treatment in liver surgery. Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) Alpha lipoic acid is another nutrient that benefits the liver. Alpha lipoic acid is now recognized as one of the most effective treatments for mushroom poisoning. It is an excellent antioxidant that destroys free radicals in both fat and water-based environments. What’s more, alpha lipoic acid recycles other antioxidants, Vitamin C for example, thus helping to preserve the body’s antioxidant reserves. Like NAC, it is a chelator, or binder, of heavy metals. Alpha-lipoic acid has a number of beneficial properties observed in studies. It prevents artificially cultured HIV viruses from replicating, prevents cataracts, protects the kidneys from being damaged by excess sugar in the urine, protects islet cells in the pancreas against inflammation, preserves thymus gland tissue, and increases helper T-cells in the blood. In Europe, alpha-lipoic acid has been used as a treatment for a variety of different liver diseases. One drawback to taking alpha lipoic acid as a supplement is its rapid elimination from the body. Time-release lipoic acid products are now available which allow for less frequent doses. Additional minerals: The development of abnormal fibrous tissue in cirrhosis may be linked to the levels of zinc, copper, iron, and manganese in the liver. One study found that low liver zinc and high liver copper favors fibrous tissue growth. The severity of chronic alcoholic liver disease may correlate with the liver’s elevated copper content and excretion of zinc, copper, and iron in the urine. An elevated manganese level in the liver, along with reduced urinary excretion of manganese also appears to be a factor. Herbal Supplementation: Milk Thistle: Historically, milk thistle was used as a digestive tonic; a general tonic for the spleen, stomach, and liver; for the gallbladder; to promote bile flow; and as a stimulant for milk flow in nursing mothers. The active constituents of milk thistle are a combination of three substances, silybin, silydianin, and silychristin, which collectively are reported to have liver protective activity. Silymarin reportedly acts by inhibiting the passage of toxins into the liver cells, by altering the membranes of the hepatic cells, and by stimulating regeneration of new liver cells through increased protein synthesis. Silymarin has been demonstrated to increase glutathione content in the liver by more than 35 percent, increasing its antioxidant capacity. Because of its reported liver enzyme and cell protection capabilities, it is used in a wide variety of conditions, such as chemical-induced liver damage (including industrial chemicals, alcohol, and pharmaceutical drugs), hepatitis, gallbladder dysfunctions, and psoriasis. Picrorhiza: Picrorhiza is a perennial herb that grows in the Himalayas in Asia, at altitudes of 9,000-15,000 feet above sea level. The underground parts of this plant have been used in the traditional Indian systems of medicine since ancient times to treat liver troubles and bronchial problems. Picrorhiza has been used by traditional Ayurvedic medicine of the Hindu to treat the lungs as well as infectious diseases, to reduce fevers, and alleviate indigestion. Recently, researchers and clinicians have reported the value of picrorhiza as an immune-enhancing agent, both with the rhizome and the leaf. Like milk thistle, picrorhiza may have an effect on liver regeneration. A 1992 study demonstrated stimulation of nucleic acid and protein synthesis in rat liver with oral administration of picrorhiza. The authors stated the results were comparable to milk thistle. Studies report picrorhiza beneficial for the liver, including viral hepatitis and exposure to hepatotoxic chemical agents, including alcohol and acetaminophen. As an antioxidant for the liver, picrorhiza is reported to protect against changes in liver and brain glutathione metabolism, improving reduced glutathione levels, and decreasing inhibition of glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase. Schisandra: Schisandra has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries as a kidney tonifying and relaxing herb. It has historically been used to treat cough and wheezing, spontaneous sweating, chronic diarrhea, insomnia, and forgetfulness. Recent studies has focused on schisandra’s ability to protect the liver from damaging toxins. Liver regeneration was reported in laboratory animals following partial liver removal. Has antioxidant properties. Schisandra has been reported to prevent liver damage, stimulate liver repair, and stimulate normal liver function. Artichoke: The flower head of the globe artichoke has been used as a food and medicinal agent for centuries. In medicine, the globe artichoke has historically been used for poor digestion, along with “sluggish” liver, atherosclerosis, elevated cholesterol levels, and as a mild diuretic. It has reportedly been used in Europe since Roman times as a choleretic and diuretic. Artichoke leaf is claimed to be a potent antioxidant. Artichoke has been reported to have significant liver protecting and regenerating effects. In one study, the authors concluded that artichoke had hepatoprotection after exposure of laboratory animals to the liver toxic substance tert-butylhydroperoxide. Some of the hepatoprotective qualities of artichoke seem to be linked to its antioxidant capacity, due mainly to the chlorogenic acid content in the leaves. Artichoke is also reported to have a stimulant activity on bile production in the liver. Stimulating the flow of bile juices aids in breaking down hard to digest fats, thereby increasing digestion and the absorption of nutrients. Studies have reported that when patients with dyspeptic complaints take artichoke as a supplement, symptoms rapidly disappear, reducing pain, nausea, retching, and the sensation of fullness. Enhances biliary excretion of cholesterol and increases conversion towards the bile acids.