Health Topics > Liver health > cirrhosis

CIRRHOSIS 

Cirrhosis is the term used to describe the end stages of liver disease where chronic inflammation of liver cells has caused an extensive build up of scar tissue in the liver. Scar tissue is the same as collagen as it is tough fibrous tissue, which replaces damaged liver cells. This scar tissue is not functional and cannot do the work of liver cells. Liver cells known as stellate cells produce the scar tissue to protect themselves from the inflammation that is occurring in the liver. This inflammation is produced by free radicals generated by viruses, toxins, unhealthy fats, alcohol, and some drugs or antibodies that are attacking liver cells. A healthy liver does not have many stellate cells and they do not produce excessive amounts of scar tissue. In contrast, in a liver that is chronically inflamed, the stellate cells become activated and they multiply and produce excessive collagen. A cirrhotic liver is hardened with scar tissue, which reduces its blood supply. There is not enough healthy liver tissue to perform the metabolic and detoxification processes that the liver must perform to keep the body healthy.
 
Liver dysfunction is very common and an increasing problem. 
 

 What causes it?

  • Excessive alcohol
  • Chronic hepatitis B or C infection
  • Immune liver diseases such as autoimmune hepatitis and primary biliary cirrhosis
  • Metabolic disorders such as Wilson’s disease and Haemochromatosis
  • Adverse reactions to some drugs such as methotrexate and vascular disorders of the liver.

What are the symptoms?

Signs of advanced cirrhosis may include:
  • Spider naevi - spider shaped capillaries on the skin
  • Excessive bruising
  • Jaundice (yellow discolouration of skin and eyes)
  • Altered liver size
  • Enlarged spleen
  • Clubbing of the ends of the fingers
  • Ascites (fluid build up in the abdomen)
  • Swelling of the limbs with fluid (oedema)
  • A flapping tremor of the hands
  • Mental confusion and disorientation
  • Oesophageal Varices  

Treatment

To overcome these problems, drugs can only play a limited role that is mostly concerned with the control of symptoms. To treat the underlying causes we need to turn to the power of nutritional medicine. Over the past two decades there have been enormous advances in information in the scientific and medical literature linking incorrect nutrition to disease states. Most diseases are associated with nutritional imbalances. Research of the scientific and medical literature gives great insight into the nutritional factors in illness. Dietary changes and the appropriate use of nutrients will reduce the risk of disease and are becoming increasingly important in the treatment of illness. 

Recommended books

  •  "The Healthy Liver and Bowel Book" This book has a section on cirrhosis answering many of your questions in regards to nutritional support for this condition. This book is essential reading for anyone suffering from this disease or any other condition of the liver or bowels.
  • “Raw Juices Can Save your Life"  Raw vegetable juices are a critical component of any nutritional program.  See recipes on pages 116/117.
  • "MAGNESIUM The Miracle Mineral You won't believe the DIFFERENCE it makes to your HEALTH!"  This is my latest book and discusses Magnesium as being essential for hundreds of chemical reactions that take place in the body every second, with recent findings also indicating that it offers a wide range of important health-promoting benefits.  See page 9 for these benefits. 

Diet

Follow the vital healthy eating principles outlined on pages 20-27 of "The Healthy Liver and Bowel Book" Make these principles of eating a way of life. The diet should include as many raw foods as possible to eliminate the salt used in cooking processes as well as ensure a high fibre intake. Broiled fish and organic poultry are good protein sources.

Processed foods, soy sauce, pickled products, gravies, alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, chocolate and refined sugar and flour should be avoided.

If the patient is in "liver failure" he/she should follow a low protein diet, which will produce less ammonia and should obtain proteins from legumes, nuts and grains, seeds and avoid all meats including fowl. It is not possible to avoid all ammonia containing foods, as proteins are broken down into ammonia and then to urea for elimination by the kidneys.

Raw juicing

Raw juices are an incredibly powerful healing tool and can improve the function of the liver, bowels and kidneys. This increases the elimination of toxins and waste products from the skin.

Appropriate juice recipes are:
• ‘Liver Tonic Juice’
• ‘Liver Cleansing Juice’ found on pg 116 of  “Raw Juices Can Save Your Life” book

Recommended supplements:

Liver tonic powder or capsules

  • Take 1 teaspoon twice daily in raw juices or water or 2 capsules twice daily with meals - A good combination is a synergistic mix of herbs, vitamins and minerals which may stimulate the phase 1 and 2 detox pathways in the liver - therefore supporting general liver function.

Selenium tablets 

  • Take 2 tablets twice daily - Selenium is a powerful antioxidant mineral that works to assist in the protection against further damage to liver cells.

Magnesium powder or tablets

  • Take 2 tablets twice daily or 1 teaspoon per day in juice or water. Cirrhosis causes magnesium levels to be low.

Flaxseed capsules

  • Take 2 capsules daily - Flaxseed is an excellent source of essential fatty acids to help replace and repair damaged liver cell membranes and assist in reducing inflammation. 

MSM plus Vitamin C powder

  • Take 1/2 teaspoon  twice daily in juice or water- MSM is an organic sulphur food powder. Sulphur may assist in softening and preventing further scar tissue.    

General recommendations

• If you want to improve liver function you must avoid dairy products such as ice cream, milk, cream and butter - dairy foods contain high levels of antibiotics, steroids and artificial growth hormones, as this is what the herds are treated with in today's high tech dairies to prevent disease and boost milk production. As with humans where substances go through into breast milk, it is the same for cattle - only they neglect to tell you this in the advertisements when they are telling you how great milk is. If you need further info on this please visit www.notmilk.
• Avoid deep fried and fatty foods.
• Limit chicken and turkey that is not free range, as this contains artificial growth hormones, antibiotics and steroids that increase the liver's workload.
• Avoid artificial sweeteners see www.dorway.com – use Stevia

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