Primary Biliary Cirrhosis - what you must know
Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (wow that’s a mouthful, so let’s shorten it to PBC) is an autoimmune disease of the liver. The immune system attacks the bile ducts and the liver tissues surrounding the bile ducts and this produces persistent inflammation in these tissues, which can result in scarring. If scar tissue builds up the liver can become cirrhotic – this simply means that the liver has a lot of scar tissue. Scar tissue is hard, fibrous and inactive and can distort the physical structure of the liver and as more liver cells die the amount of scar tissue increases.
The good news is that PBC can usually be cured, if you diagnose it early enough, it does not have to be a progressive disease and will not always lead to cirrhosis.
What causes PBC ?
- Hereditary factors are important – check your family history for other autoimmune diseases.
- Leaky gut – this is excessive inflammation in your intestines caused by unhealthy bacteria, antibiotics, steroids, anti-inflammatory drugs, antacid drugs and food intolerances; it has become very common.
- Food intolerances – the most common offender being gluten containing foods, such as wheat, barley, rye and oats. You can have a blood test to see if you carry the genes that predispose to gluten intolerance. This test is called a Genotype test and checks your genes to see what your HLA DQ patterns are. Make sure you get the right test, as it is different to the blood test for celiac disease. I recommend that all sufferers of PBC avoid gluten anyway, as it can cause gut and thus liver inflammation, even if you test negative. It takes 12 months to see the full benefit of a gluten free diet, so don’t expect results after only a few months.
Therapies that really make a difference
The conventional treatment of PBC is a drug called Ursodiol and it is a synthetic form of bile salts. Ursodiol can reduce the symptoms of PBC and can reduce some inflammation, but it is generally not a cure and by itself will not usually control PBC adequately.
- Good health begins in the gut so you need to improve your gut health, which of course means looking at your diet. You need to consume plenty of raw fruits and vegetables and if you can afford it, buy organic, although this is not essential. Raw juices can help and I recommend juices made from citrus fruits, cabbage, carrot, green apple, mint, parsley and ginger. To improve your gut health consume natural antibiotic foods such as garlic, onion and Greek style plain acidophilus yogurt. If you have parasites and unhealthy bacteria in the gut, the formula Intestinal Parasite Cleanse, can help to reduce this problem.
- To support your immune system to reduce inflammation in the gut and liver I recommend Glutamine Powder and a good selenium supplement. You will need at least 200mcg daily of selenium.
- A good liver formula to support liver function and detoxification such as Livatone Plus can really make a difference to your liver enzyme levels.
- Make sure you are not low in vitamin D – have a blood test if you are unsure. You want your vitamin D levels to be at the upper limit of the normal range because vitamin D 3 is a potent anti-inflammatory vitamin and also balances your immune function. Vitamin D deficiency is widespread and you may need around 5000 IU daily or 10,000 units weekly to get your blood vitamin D levels up.
To control PBC and indeed to reverse it completely, you need to adhere to these dietary and supplement recommendations as a way of life. Otherwise like any chronic disease, it will gradually return to attack your body another day.
I have treated many patients with PBC and achieved excellent results, especially in those who were motivated to improve their diet and lifestyle. Yes nutritional medicine is powerful and really works well, all you have to do, is to want to get well. Thankfully more than any other organ in the body, the liver is able to repair and regenerate itself.
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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PBC can eventually lead to cirrhosis, your doctor will be able to organise an ultrasound scan to confirm if this is the case.
I recommend discussing your questions with your doctor.
We hope you find our recommendations helpful. Please let us know how you get on.
Kind regards,
Jessah Shaw
Nutritionist
According to American Liver Foundation, primary biliary cholangitis formerly known as primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), is a chronic liver disease that gradually destroys the medium-sized bile ducts within the liver. These bile ducts are damaged by inflammation which causes bile to remain in the liver, where gradual injury damages liver cells and causes liver cirrhosis. As cirrhosis progresses and the amount of scar tissue in the liver increases, the liver loses its ability to function.
This article is quite helpful as I was diagnosed with PBC three years ago and have been on 500 MG of Ursodiol since then. Last Sept I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease by my DNP, something my gastroenterologist never considered for me and I've had hypothyroidism for 23 years, (should have been a clue from what I've learned)! I have since been on I saw my gastroenterologist last week and informed him of the Celiac Disease diagnosis and shared recent blood tests with him with much lower AST and ALT numbers. I asked if the liver can heal itself and if I could eventually wean off of the Ursidiol. He said that it will not heal and I need to be on the medication for life. Your thoughts?
Thank you!
As you can see from this article PBC can be cured if you adhere to certain dietary changes and supplements.
With any autoimmune disease we recommend elimination of inflammatory foods such as gluten and sugar.
If dairy causes any digestive issues eliminate this also.
There is an excellent eating plan in Dr Cabot's book: 'Healing Autoimmune Disease'.
Dr Cabot recommends you take
Selenomune 1 cap daily with food to reduce inflammation and strengthen the immune system.
Glutamine 1 scoop daily in water or juice to support gut health and the immune system.
Livatone Plus 1 cap daily to improve liver function.
These can be purchased here:https://shop.liverdoctor.com/
Let us know how you get on.
Kind Regards,
Jessah Robinson
Nutritional Consultant for Liverdoctor.com
I am getting along well and will know more when I have another blood test in late October. One question on diet...I am trying to stay away from all grains but am having trouble giving up popcorn(organic corn cooked in avocado oil with himilayan pink salt). Is this terrible for my liver?
Is there an optimal time of day to take Livatone Plus? I am currently taking two a day(per my doctor), one with breakfast and one with supper (both early in the meal).
Thank you and Merry Christmas!
These times are perfectly fine, if you wish you could even have up to 2 twice a day.
Kind Regards,
Jessah Robinson
Nutrition Consultant for Liverdoctor.com
Perhaps try to have popcorn occasionally as a treat, not regularly.
Kind Regards,
Jessah Robinson
Nutrition Consultant for Liverdoctor.com
I am wondering if there is an optimal time to take Livatone Plus. ? I am currently taking two a day, one with breakfast and one with supper...Early in the meal each time.
Thank you!
Denise
These times are perfectly fine.
You could even take up to two twice a day if you wish.
Kind Regards,
Jessah Robinson
Nutrition Consultant for Liverdoctor.com
Thank you again!
A gluten intolerance could be a contributing factor, so I would recommend following a gluten free diet or getting the genotype test to check for a gluten intolerance.
Kind Regards,
Jessah Robinson
Sales & Nutrition Consultant
Seeing serval specialist none stress the importance of gluten free and value of good diet
Just been told I have biliary cirrhosis and have been put in Hydroxychlorquine because now I am in pain in my joints and haven't felt well for years but fatigued is my biggest problem
For a long time I have list trust in my GP and specialist
I am going to follow your advice because This makes perfect sense , I have all my blood history CT and more to prove a difference and understand this is life long changes and could take a year to see results
Thank you so much
Regards
Sue
Livatone Plus helps improve liver health, so yes you should take it. Digestive enzymes and apple cider vinegar are great for bloating.
Once you have a concrete diagnosis please write back to us and we can give more specific help.
Kind Regards,
Jessah
During many years of clinical practice, Dr Cabot has found that excellent results and long term control of PBC can be achieved with nutritional medicine. With the correct diet and supportive supplements, progression of the disease can be stopped, if the program is followed for life. You can find more information in Dr Cabot’s latest book, Healing Autoimmune Disease.
Kind Regards,
Jessah Robinson
Nutritional Consultant for Liverdoctor.com