Healthy Vitamins for Liver Fibrosis

A healthy liver filters blood and absorbs fat-soluble nutrients in foods. When scar tissue builds in a liver with fibrosis, digestion of fat-soluble vitamins becomes poor and the abnormal cell growths block normal blood flow through the liver. Supplements for vitamins E, C and D and a healthy diet help the liver heal.

Abnormal Cell Growth

When toxins build in the liver, the normal cell growth process changes. Toxin concentrations cause abnormal cell growth. Abnormal cells form into tissue that blocks the blood pathways in the liver. Without normal blood flow, the liver can not properly absorb nutrients.

Vitamin Deficiencies

Low liver absorption rates for vitamins E, C and D lower the body's vitamin levels. Ingesting healthy amounts of the vitamins keep you healthy only when the body fully digests the vitamins. Full absorption supports tissue building and nourishment. Fibrosis blocks full absorption of the three vitamins, leaving the body with deficiencies in each.

Antioxidants

Vitamins that clear out the toxins are called antioxidants. In the liver, vitamins E and C do the antioxidant work that prevents toxin buildup involved in scar tissue development. These antioxidants relieve the oxidative stress in the liver that occurs during fibrosis, enabling the liver to grow normally and repair scar tissue. A recent reported study by Stephen A. Harrison MD, published in the American Journal of Gastroerentology in 2003, showed the antioxidant vitamins E and C improve the normal healing of fibrosis in persons with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Studies using rats to test the antioxidants' effect also found the abnormal cell growth could be handled properly by rats taking the vitamin supplements.

Remedying Consequences

Poor liver function also lowers the vitamin D in the body that keeps bones strong by aiding calcium absorption. The body uses the absorbed calcium to grow bones. When the vitamin D level drops, bones can turn weak. A vitamin D supplement returns the vitamin D level to a healthy level so the body can keep building strong bones.

Healthy Diet

For a person with fibrosis, a healthy diet still provides their initial vitamin amounts. Fibrosis sufferers need vitamin supplementation because the liver does not absorb enough, yet neglecting the dietary sources of vitamins E, C and D will make the body deficient. For vitamin E, add vegetable oils, eggs and wheat germ to the diet. Eat oranges for vitamin C, and milk, liver and fish for vitamin D.