Cirrhosis: What You Need To Know
The term cirrhosis means scarring of the liver. The healthy liver tissue gradually becomes replaced with hard fibrous-like scar tissue. This scar tissue distorts the normal structures in the liver. Scar tissue is non-functional, meaning it cannot perform the functions of liver cells. The scar tissue reduces the flow of arterial and venous blood in the liver as well as the flow of blood back to the liver from the intestines; this causes the pressure inside the blood vessels to rise and the tissues and veins in the spleen and intestines become congested; this is known as portal hypertension and can result in many problems. The spleen may enlarge and varicose veins may form in the esophagus because of this high venous pressure.
Cirrhosis is a process that occurs insidiously and takes many years to develop.There are 5 stages of cirrhosis with stage 1 being mild and stage 5 being severe with a large amount of scar tissue and very poor liver function.
What causes cirrhosis of the liver?
Chronic inflammation in the liver damages liver cells, eventually resulting in their death (necrosis). The dead liver cells are replaced with scar tissue.
The inflammation can be caused by several things such as –
- Excess alcohol over many years
- Viral infections in the liver such as hepatitis C and B viruses
- Many types of prescribed medications – so always ask your doctor about side effects of the drugs you are taking
- Autoimmune diseases such as autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), sclerosing cholangitis etc
- Genetic diseases such as Hemochromatosis (iron overload) or Wilson's Disease (copper overload) or enzyme deficiency (Alpha-1- Anti-trypsin deficiency)
- A poor diet that lacks vegetables and is high in sugar and bad fats (deep fried foods and margarine and trans-fatty acids) can lead to fatty liver disease. The excess fat in the liver causes inflammation and is very toxic for the liver; fatty liver is the most common cause of cirrhosis.
How can we reduce the inflammation that causes cirrhosis?
There are several vital things you need to do and it is important to be regular with these things and implement them long term, otherwise the inflammation will recur and continue.
- Take a powerful liver formula such as Livatone Plus to support your liver function. Livatone Plus contains a high dose of pure milk thistle, N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC), activated B vitamins, organic sulphur, selenium and antioxidants. Several of these ingredients have been proven to reduce liver inflammation.
- Increase omega 3 fatty acids from oily fish (tuna, herrings, salmon, sardines and trout), fish oil supplements or vegan DHA, flaxseeds, walnuts and chia seeds. Omega 3 fatty acids reduce inflammation.
- Boost your intake of selenium by taking Livatone Plus which contains adequate amounts if you take 4 capsules of Livatone Plus daily. Selenium is vital for your immune system to fight viruses and to reduce inflammation in the liver.
- Consume foods high in vitamin E such as avocados and raw nuts and seeds. Vitamin E reduces the formation of scar tissue and softens existing scar tissue. You may also wish to take a supplement of vitamin E.
- Increase your intake of the mineral sulphur by taking NAC and eating foods high in sulphur such as cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts), onions, garlic and eggs. Make sure you eat the whole egg, as it’s the yolk of the egg which contains the sulphur. Don’t worry about eating too many eggs, as contrary to old myths about eggs, they do not have any effect on your cholesterol levels. The ingredients in our Collagen Food powder provides you with extra organic sulphur and can be stirred into juice or water. Livatone Plus contains NAC but you may need extra NAC to repair a badly damaged liver. Sulphur is a mineral, which helps your liver detoxification pathways to remove toxic chemicals which build up in the liver and cause inflammation.
- Ensure an adequate intake of vitamin C from citrus fruits, berries, bell peppers and most fresh fruits. Livatone Plus contains vitamin C but you may need to take extra if you have a lot of inflammation. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and can prevent scar tissue forming.
How do you know there is inflammation in the liver?
A blood test for liver function will show that your liver enzymes are elevated – see tests section on Liverdoctor website. There are other tests available to see if you have inflammation and cirrhosis in your liver, such as a fibroscan.
The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.
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If it’s faulty or wrongly described, we’ll replace it.
Your husband’s cirrhosis may be able to be reversed, in part or completely if he follows an anti-inflammatory lifestyle, so whatever was responsible must be removed whether it was alcohol, inflammatory diet including highly processed food, or a toxic environment.
We encourage him to begin Dr Cabot’s highly acclaimed 15 Day Cleanse and Maintenance Program.
Supplements to resolve the present cirrhosis and heal the liver
Serrapeptase
Vitamin E – 1 capsule twice daily, to soften scar tissue.
Livatone Plus – 2 capsules twice daily.
N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC 600mg) – 1 to 2 capsules twice daily
MSM + Vitamin C – ½ to 1 teaspoon twice daily in vegetable juice or water.
Kind regards
Victoria
Liver enzyme ALT is a bit high....
What can she use for the hepatitis to be cured because he said my friend is a chronic carrier. Her Liver enzyme is 50
We invite your friend to download Dr Cabot’s generously offered free e-book athttps://www.liverdoctor.com/ebook/free-ebook-hepatitis-and-aids/ for her knowledge and treatment.
To boost liver health and vitality, Dr Cabot prescribes
Livatone Plus – 1 to 2 capsules twice daily, to improve liver function. Folate stimulates the production of platelets and this supplement has a therapeutic dose of the most active form of this vitamin.
N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC 600mg) – 1 to 2 capsules twice daily well away from food, if any upset occurs take at the beginning of your meals. As you will see from the attached pamphlet this supplement works well with Livatone Plus to get your liver better faster.
MSM + Vitamin C – ½ to 1 teaspoon twice daily in vegetable juice or water to reduce oxidation, inflammation and boost liver health.
You may purchase these supplements and Dr Cabot’s books athttps://shop.liverdoctor.com/
Kind regards,
Jessah Shaw
Nutritionist for Liverdoctor.com
I'm taking milk thistle 2x a day and fish oil once a day.
Is this chia seed is good for me? I'm taking also 5mg amlodipine and metformin tab 750 mg once a day.is this good for my liver problem?
Thanks god bless
Your husband’s immune system would be sorely tested and Serrapeptase is very likely to help resolve the phlegm build up in his lungs and not negatively affect his white blood cells (WBCs).
The reduction in WBCs may be a symptom of the stress his immune system was under when he had pneumonia, and it may take a while for them to regain a normal status. Many of the supplements we have recommended are WBC boosting, and Dr Cabot strongly recommends you also include
MSM + Vitamin C – ½ to 1 teaspoon twice daily in vegetable juice or water to reduce oxidation, inflammation and boost liver health.
Fish Oil – 2 capsules twice daily for first container and then 1 capsule twice daily.
Include vegetables like carrots if they are allowed on his strict diet, because they are rich in beta-carotene which is a precursor to Vitamin A and promotes the formation of WBCs.
To boost your husband’s liver health, Dr Cabot also prescribes
N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC 600mg) – 1 to 2 capsules twice daily well away from food, if any upset occurs take at the beginning of your meals. This supplement is the precursor nutrient of glutathione; the body’s strongest anti-oxidant and potent detoxifier.
Selenomune Designer Energy - 1 capsule daily for 4 months, to increase your selenium levels to help deal with the bacterial cells that may still be affecting his lungs, even after antibiotics.
Victoria Taylor
Naturopath
Any guidance will be helpful. Thank you.
Serrapeptase and Vitamin E are both very good for scar tissue, but it is important that you are aware that both are blood thinners, and as such there is an increased risk of bleeding if he has any oesophageal varices.
Kidney function may be able to be improved if he adopts an anti-inflammatory diet, so may I ask what diet your husband’s urologist has ordered.
Kind regards,
Victoria Taylor
Naturopath
I am fairly fit as I’m a pilates instructor and a Hanna Somatic movement coach.
Many thanks with any information and help you can give me.
Lynn Viccars
07734445000
Hello Lyn,
It is important to remove excess iron from your system regularly and you may choose to become a regular blood donor or have a regular phlebotomy to reduce the amount of iron in the blood to encourage conversion from the ferritin in your liver. Depending on your genetic bio type this may be sufficient from between every 3 months to 6 months.
Dr Cabot has recently released her 15 Day Cleanse - Two weeks to begin your journey toward improved liver health and function, utilising both supplements and a tasty, easy to prepare dietary regimen. Please go to www.drcabotcleanse.com to place an order.
After completing the Cleanse, we recommend you remain on this style of eating and you can then begin the Maintenance plan that is available at the same website.
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that everyone needs. It is true that iron containing foods are not to be consumed with vitamin C but after 2 hours the iron is not going to be affected by any vitamin C intake, so ensure that you do not eat vitamin C rich foods near foods that may contain iron.
To boost liver health and your vitality, Dr Cabot prescribes
Livatone Plus – 1 to 2 capsules twice daily, to improve liver function.
N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC 600mg) – 1 to 2 capsules twice daily well away from food, if any upset occurs take at the beginning of your meals. This supplement works well with Livatone Plus to get your liver better faster.
MSM + Vitamin C – ½ to 1 teaspoon twice daily in vegetable juice or water to reduce oxidation, inflammation and boost liver health. Ensure this is taken well away from food, to minimise iron absorption.
To help soften and resolve cirrhosis, Dr Cabot prescribes
Serrapeptase – begin with 1 capsule daily for 3 days, increase to 1 capsule twice daily for 4 days and if it well tolerated you may increase the dose to 2 capsules twice daily and always to be taken on an empty stomach. This supplement is contraindicated if you have liver related bleeding problems or if you are taking blood thinners.
Vitamin E – 1 capsule twice daily, to soften scar tissue. Care to be taken if you have bleeding concerns or if you are taking blood thinners.
Love Your Liver and Live Longer
Victoria Taylor
Naturopath for Liverdoctor
www.liverdoctor.com