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Can Vitamin A And Beta-carotene Supplements Be Taken While Treating Fatty Liver Disease?

Posted on Mon, 6 Mar 2017

Question: I have been diagnosed with NASH/Fatty Liver disease, with evidence of cirrhosis (from abdominal ultrasounds and blood work). I take a vitamin supplement (Pure Encapsulations Nutrient 950 with vitamin K) which include 15,000 IU of vitamin A (as beta carotene). I recently read that people with liver disease should limit their supplements of vitamin A to 2000 IU per day EXCEPT that vitamin A from food sources can be essentially unlimited. Can you tell me (1) is that 2000 IU limit correct, and (2) is beta carotene in the Pure Encapsulations Nutrient 950 considered a food source?

Answered by Dr. Geeta Sundar (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You should get off vitamin A and B Carotene supplements

Detailed Answer:
Hi welcome to Health care magic,

You should get off vitamin A and B Carotene supplements since higher than normal levels can further damage your liver.

You can take intermittent vitamin K (say twice a week).
From my book Health After Forty--
Natural sources of vitamin A are----
Retinol (vitamin A ) is present in animal foods like milk and its products, eggs, meat and fish.
Beta Carotene is present in green leafy vegetables and yellow fruits and vegetables like carrots, papaya, XXXXXXX etc.

Excessive Vitamin A: A very useful vitamin in correct doses; but any excess intake even for a short while can lead to problems. In the beginning we can suffer from irritability, vomiting, loss of appetite and headache. Over a longer period of intake, we will have roughening of skin, swollen gums, enlargement of liver and spleen, and even go into fits, or become unconscious.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Geeta Sundar (5 days later)

I have had none of the symptoms of excess vitamin A that you describe. Please cite 2 or 3 research papers on this subject, so I can judge the methodologies for myself. Thank you. XXXXXXX XXXX

Answered by Dr. Geeta Sundar (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
these are some research articles.

Detailed Answer:
Hi, these are some research articles. However also read Harrison's text book of medicine from a library if you can. That is a gold standard.

1) The acute and chronic toxic effects of vitamin A1,2,3,4
XXXXXXX L Penniston1 and XXXXXXX A Tanumihardjo1

2) Excessive Dietary Intake of Vitamin A Is Associated with Reduced Bone Mineral Density and Increased Risk for Hip Fracture XXXXXXX Melhus, MD; XXXXXXX Michaelsson, MD; XXXXXXX Kindmark, MD; Reinhold Bergstrom, PhD; Lars XXXXXXX MD; XXXXXXX Mallmin, MD; Alicja Wolk, PhD; Sverker Ljunghall, MD

3) NIH office of dietary supplements
Vitamin A
Fact Sheet for Health Professionals

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D