Liver Cirrhosis

Related Terms

Alcoholic Liver Cirrhosis; Biliary Cirrhosis; Cirrhosis of the Liver

Liver cirrhosis is a disease that causes permanent damage to the liver. The liver is not able to work correctly. It may cause fatigue, yellowing of the skin, and belly pain. Severe complications are possible.

It is managed with medicine and healthy habits. Some people may need surgery. Natural therapies have been used to improve quality of life.

Natural Therapies

May Be Effective

These therapies may be effective:

  • Branched-chain amino acids are a group of three essential amino acids.B5
  • Fuzheng Huayu is a combination of six Chinese herbs.B3
  • Probiotics are healthy microorganisms that are in foods like yogurt.B2
  • Nutritional support refers to eating a healthful and balanced diet.B1

Not Enough Data to Assess

  • Antioxidant supplements B6
  • Exercise A1
  • Vitamin D B4

Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.

Herbs and Supplements to Be Used With Caution

Talk to your doctor about any supplements or therapy you would like to use. Some can interfere with treatment or make conditions worse.

References►

Exercise

A1. Aamann L, Dam G, et al. Physical exercise for people with cirrhosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;12:CCD012678.

Herbs and Supplements

B1. Maharshi S, Sharma BC, et al. Efficacy of Nutritional Therapy for Patients With Cirrhosis and Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy in a Randomized Trial. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2016;14(3):454-460.

B2. Xia X, Chen J, et al. Role of probiotics in the treatment of minimal hepatic encephalopathy in patients with HBV-induced liver cirrhosis. J Int Med Res. 2018;46(9):3596-3604.

B3. Wang T, Zhou X, et al. Fuzheng Huayu capsule as an adjuvant treatment for HBV-related cirrhosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Phytother Res. 2018 May;32(5):757-768.

B4. Bjelakovic G, Nikolova D, et al. Vitamin D supplementation for chronic liver diseases in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017 Nov 3;11:CD011564.

B5. Metcalfe EL, Avenell A, et al. Branched-chain amino acid supplementation in adults with cirrhosis and porto-systemic encephalopathy: systematic review. Clin Nutr. 2014 Dec;33(6):958-965.

B6. Bjelakovic G, Gluud LL, et al. Antioxidant supplements for liver diseases. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011 Mar 16;(3):CD007749.

Last reviewed November 2019 by EBSCO NAT Review Board Eric Hurwitz, DC
Last Updated: 6/8/2020

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