Early diagnosis of a liver disorder can save your life. Though some hepatitis viruses cause an acute but temporary flu-like illness, others can produce a chronic, persistent liver infection. Natural therapies aim to protect the liver and boost the immune system.

What are they

Among the numerous functions of the liver are the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins, the elimination of toxins and the storage of certain nutrients. The most common disorder to affect all this vital organ is hepatitis, or inflammation of the liver. Of the two forms of hepatitis, acute and chronic, the first is easier to treat. Hepatitis can be caused by any of six viruses known as A, B, C, D, E and G. Hepatitis A, the most common form, is highly contagious, and produces acute flu-like symptoms, but usually causes no long-lasting damage. Hepatitis B and C can linger for years, often causing few or no symptoms, but in some cases leading to irreversible liver scarring (cirrhosis) or liver cancer. The types D, E and G are rare.

All forms of hepatitis impair the liver’s ability to process proteins and carbohydrates, to secrete fat-digesting bile and to rid the body of toxins and waste – but the chronic forms are the most dangerous, because they may ultimately lead to liver failure.

Symptoms

• Fatigue and weakness; a general feeling of poor health.
• Temperature.
• Nausea and vomiting; loss of appetite; weight loss.
• Aching muscles or joints.
• Abdominal discomfort, pain, or swelling.
• Jaundice (yellowish tinge of skin and whites of eyes).
• Dark urine and pale stools.

What causes them

Whether contracted through contaminated food or water (type A) or through blood transfusions, infected hypodermic needles or sexual intercourse (types B and C), hepatitis is most often caused by a viral infection. It can also be caused by certain medications, toxic chemicals or years of alcohol abuse. Rarely, an autoimmune dysfunction – in which the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues – is to blame. Sometimes no cause can be determined.

How supplements can help

The recommended supplements should be used together, along with conventional drugs, until symptoms of acute hepatitis subside. Benefits may be noticed within a week. For chronic disease, take them long term.

Vitamin C and vitamin E are powerful antioxidants that act together to help to protect liver cells against damage from free radicals; alpha-lipoic acid also provides antioxidant protection, and may enhance the potency of these vitamins. The action of antioxidant vitamins may be augmented by drinking at least four cups of green tea every day. Not only does the herb milk thistle protect the liver, it also promotes the growth of new liver cells and improves liver function.

Other liver-protecting herbs are liquorice, which contains antiviral and antioxidant compounds, and dandelion root. Dandelion works well as part of a liver-detoxifying formula called a lipotropic combination (which also includes the B vitamins choline and inositol, as well as milk thistle) – a blend thought to speed the flow of bile and cell-damaging toxins away from the liver. Optimal liver function is dependent upon adequate magnesium intake. People on diets high in refined foods, which tend to be low in magnesium, may benefit from a magnesium supplement (250 mg daily).

Supplement recommendations

	Dosage	Advice
Vitamin C	500 mg twice a day	up to 3000 mg a day can be taken for a week, but reduce dose if diarrhoea develops.
Vitamin E	250 mg a day	consult your doctor if you take anticoagulant drugs.
Milk thistle	150 mg extract three times a day	standardised to contain at leats 70% silymarin.
Alpha-lipoic acid	200 mg three times a day	can be taken with or without food.

Did you know?

Vaccines against hepatitis A and B are available. If you think you are or might be at risk, ask your doctor if you should have one or both.

What else you can do

• Be cautious about that you eat and drink then travelling in areas of poor sanitation and high disease rates: eat only cooked foods, drink bottled water, and be wary of medical or dental treatment in such areas.
• Don’t drink alcohol, especially during, and for a month after, an acute illness, or until your doctor says your liver function tests are normal.
• Ensure that disposable or sterilised needles are used if you undergo acupuncture, body piercing, tattooing or similar procedures.

Recent findings

Resent research indicates that patients with liver disease have depleted levels of antioxidants, and that patients suffering form severe viral hepatitis may primarily be deficient in vitamin E. When administered to a group of several patients who had not responded to chemical treatment with antiviral drugs, vitamin E was found to inhibit scarring and destruction of liver cells.

See your doctor:

• If you think you have been exposed to hepatitis, either through contaminated food or water or by sexual contact with an infected person.
• If you develop lingering flu-like symptoms. During its acute phase, viral hepatitis so closely resembles flu that it is often misdiagnosed.
• If you develop jaundice or other symptoms of hepatitis.

REMINDER: If you have a medical condition, consult your doctor before taking supplements.

Reference:Practitioner´s Guide to Nutritional Supplements