DISORDERS

(Their description, characteristics or symptoms,

causes, and complementary or alternative treatments)

Disorder: CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER

Description: Cirrhosis of the liver is a degenerative inflammatory disease that results in hardening and scarring of liver cells. The liver becomes damaged and unable to perform its many functions: storage and filtering of blood; production of bile, which helps digest fat and fat-soluble vitamins; production of bilirubin, which gives stool its color; production of sugar into glycogen, form in which carbohydrates are stored in the body; and stored energy for the body.

Symptoms: Cirrhosis of the liver usually has a long period of latency, without any symptoms. Some signs of mild liver disease may be fatigue, poor appetite, weight loss, itching, rashes of unknown causes, constipation or diarrhea, alternating color of the stools, fever, and indigestion. Suddenly, there is swelling of the abdomen, pain, vomiting of blood, swelling of the body in general and jaundice (yellowing of the skin). Advanced stages lead to very severe symptoms which may lead to coma and death.

Incidence:

Causes: The most common cause of cirrhosis of the liver is excessive alcohol consumption. A less frequent cause is viral hepatitis. Malnutrition and chronic inflammation can also lead to liver malfunction.

Treatments: Avoiding all alcohol, proper diet, and nutritional supplements can help.

Nutrients:

Supplement Dosage Comments

Vitamin B complex Plus Extra vitamin B12	100 mg. 3 times daily. 1,000 mcg.. twice daily.	The B vitamins are necessary for proper digestion and absorption of nutrients. Injections (under a doctor’s supervision) may be necessary. To prevent anemia and protect against nerve damage.
Folic Acid	200 mcg. daily	To correct deficiencies.
Choline and inositol	As directed on label.	For fatty liver.
Primrose Oil	500 mg. twice daily, with meals	To prevent an imbalance of fatty acids, found in cirrhosis of the liver.
Garlic	2 capsules 3 times daily.	Detoxifies the liver and bloodstream
L-Arginine Plus L-cysteine And L-methionine Plus L-carnitine Plus Glutathione	500 mg. each daily, on an empty stomach. Take with water or juice, not with milk.	Helps detoxify ammonia, a byproduct of protein digestion that can accumulate when the liver isn’t functioning properly. Helps prevent accumulation of fat in the liver. A powerful antioxidant that protects against liver cancer.
Lecithin granules or capsules	1 tbsp 3 times daily with meals or 2400 mg. capsules, taken 3 times daily, with meals	A powerful fat emulsifier.
Milk Thistle Extract	200 mg. three times daily.	See under Herbs, below
Alfalfa		See under Herbs, below
Calcium And Magnesium	1500 mg. daily, in divided doses, after meals and at bedtime. 750 mg. daily.	To promote healing of tissue. Beneficial for the nervous system.
Vitamin C	3000-8000 mg. daily, in divided doses.	An important antioxidant.

Herbs:

	Silymarin (milk thistle extract) has been shown in scientific studies to repair and rejuvenate the liver.
	Alfalfa helps build a healthy digestive tract and is a good source of vitamin K. It helps to prevent bleeding as a result of vitamin K deficiency, which is common with cirrhosis.
	Aloe vera helps to cleanse the digestive tract. Drink ¼ cup of aloe vera juice every morning and evening. It can be taken in a cup of herbal tea.

Recommendations:

	Strictly avoid alcohol.
	Avoid animal protein as well as raw or undercooked fish. Limit intake of fish to a maximum of two servings a week. Obtain protein from vegetable sources.
	Also eliminate the following from your diet: Butter, margarine, and other hardened fats; fried or fatty foods; melted or hard cheeses; nuts or oils that have been subjected to heat; potato chips; candies, milk, pastries, pepper, salt, spices, caffeine, colas, white rice, sugar, white flour; and virtually all refined and processed foods.
	Eat a diet consisting of 75 percent raw foods. If cirrhosis is severe, eat only fresh vegetables and fruits and their juices for two weeks.
	Eat plenty of foods high in vitamin K. Good sources of vitamin K include alfalfa sprouts and green leafy vegetables.
	Include the following in your diet: nuts, brewer’s yeast, seeds, bananas, raisins, rice, wheat bran, kelp, kidney beans, peas, soybeans, raw goat’s milk and products derived from goat’s milk.
	Use only cold-pressed vegetable oils as sources of dietary fats. Consume oils in uncooked form only, such as in salad dressings.
	Drink plenty of distilled water and fresh vegetable juices.
	Do not take any drugs (over-the-counter or prescription) except for those prescribed by your doctor.
	Read all food labels carefully, and avoid most fats.

Considerations:

	Animal studies indicate that the typical American diet is damaging to the liver. Improper diet results in allergies, digestive disorders, a low energy level, and an inability to detoxify harmful substances.
	In one study, people with cirrhosis of the liver were found to have an imbalance of essential fatty acids, which are needed for cell protection. After taking 10 capsules of primrose oil daily for three weeks, these individuals showed a marked improvement in the balance of their fatty acids.

Vitamin For Life Recommended Regimen and cost:

Product No. 59618-	Description	Comments	Cost
890-15	B Complex 100 mg. Tabs.	1 tablet 3 times daily	$8.95/100
148-12	B12 200 mcg. Tabs.	1 tablet daily	$9.95/100
903-15	Folic acid 400 mcg. Tabs.	1 tablet daily	$2.50/100
901-15	Choline Tabs.	As directed on label.	$4.95/100
909-15	Inositol Tabs.	As directed on label.	$5.25.100
239-15	Evening Primrose Oil 500 mg. softgels.	2 softgels daily, with meals	$7.95/60
978-15	Garlic 400 mg. odor free tabs.	2 tablets 3 times daily	$5.50/100
NS6ONS	Amino Acid 600 mg. Capsules	As directed on label.	$17.95/100
921-15	Lecithin 1200 mg. softgels	1 softgel 3 times daily, with meals	$4.50/100
994-15	Milk thistle extract capsules	1 capsule 3 times daily	$8.99/100
889-15	Alfalfa 500 mg. tablets	1 tablet 3 times daily	2.25/100
302-067 NP	Cal/Mag Super tabs.	1 tablet 3 times in divided doses, after meals and at bedtime	$4.29/180
970-12	Vitamin C with rose hips tablets 1000 mg.	1 tablet 3 times daily, in divided doses	$5.75/60

Sources:

Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 2^nd Edition

By James F. Balch, M.D. & Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.

Prevention’s Healing with Vitamins, by the Editors of

Prevention Magazine Health Books

Alternative Medicine, The Definitive Guide

Compiled by Burton Goldberg

Brave New Cures, by Julian Whitaker, M.D.

The products and the claims made about specific products on or through this site have not been evaluated by Vitaminforlife.com or the United States Food and Drug Administration and are not approved to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment. You should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem.