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Liver Cirrhosis

Uses

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

A
Exercise

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

B
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.

Revision Information

Reviewer: EBSCO NAT Review Board Eric Hurwitz, DC
Review Date: 11/2019
Update Date: 06/08/2020

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This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.