Research published in October 2021 in the American Journal of Gastroenterology established a correlation between deficient vitamin B12 levels and NAFLD, which could be caused by many things, including diabetes and obesity, but Tripathi says that it's still unclear whether that is a coincidence or if the vitamin ...
Vitamin B12 for Fatty Liver Disease
The researchers also found that supplementing with vitamin B12 and folic acid increased levels of syntaxin 17 in the liver, restoring its role of digesting fat and protecting against inflammation.
The common forms of vitamin B include vitamin B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6 (pyridoxine) and B12 (cyanocobalamin). Except for niacin (when given in high doses), there is no evidence that the other B vitamins, in physiologic or even super-physiologic high doses cause liver injury or jaundice.
The current study showed that supplementation with vitamin B12 (1000 µg cyanocobalamin per day) for 12 weeks among patients with NAFLD improved serum levels of homocysteine. Also, the fasting blood glucose and serum levels of MDA were significantly improved in the trial group who received vitamin B12.
Exercise and healthy dietary supplements, including micronutrients, are promising methods to manage NAFLD. Vitamins A, B3, B12, D, and E can serve as targets for NAFLD therapy, although some are linked to adverse effects.
According to the American Liver Foundation, there are no medical treatments – yet – for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. So that means that eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly are the best ways to both prevent liver damage from starting or reverse liver disease once it's in the early stages.
Avoid certain supplements: Excess iron, niacin, and vitamin A (the retinol form, not beta carotene) tend to stress an unhealthy liver. Check your multi and B-complex for these ingredients.
Elevated levels of serum cobalamin may be a sign of a serious, even life-threatening, disease. Hematologic disorders like chronic myelogeneous leukemia, promyelocytic leukemia, polycythemia vera and also the hypereosinophilic syndrome can result in elevated levels of cobalamin.
On one hand, a lack of vitamin B12 blocks the synthesis of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), which results in the production of methionine synthase. However, SAM is the main cellular antioxidant in the liver, and a lack of SAM may cause liver damage and differentiation.
Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, is naturally found in animal foods. It can also be added to foods or supplements. Vitamin B12 is needed to form red blood cells and DNA. It is also a key player in the function and development of brain and nerve cells.
If you're at risk for vitamin B12 deficiency, the following can provide some protection: Supplements. Even the lowest doses in B12 supplements are many times the recommended dietary allowance. Doses up to 1,000 mcg, though unnecessary, aren't harmful.
All individuals with renal illness are advised to take vitamin B12 because it is water-soluble. Additionally, most people with chronic liver disease also have hyperhomocysteinemia, which is a sign of vitamin B deficiency and necessitates the use of B12 and B9 supplements.
Unlike most other vitamins, B12 is stored in substantial amounts, mainly in the liver, until it is needed by the body. If a person stops consuming the vitamin, the body's stores of this vitamin usually take about 3 to 5 years to exhaust.
In contrast to iron deficiency, the prognostic value of B12 and folic acid was not significant. Increased levels of serum cobalamin are associated with malignancies, autoimmune diseases, and renal and liver failure. It is a marker for liver-cell damage, due to release of the vitamin from damaged liver cells.
Vitamin B12 has a low risk of causing harm, even at high doses. Because of this, there's currently no maximum dose that's widely recommended.
Rapid weight loss can actually make fatty liver disease worse. Doctors often recommend the Mediterranean diet, which is high in vegetables, fruits and good fats. Ask your doctor or nutritionist for advice on healthy weight loss techniques.
Fatty liver disease is a build-up of fats in the liver that can damage the organ and lead to serious complications. Risk factors include obesity, a high-fat diet, high alcohol intake and diabetes mellitus.
Is fatty liver disease reversible? Here's the good news. Fatty liver disease is treated with a combination of diet and exercise. With this regimen, the liver can heal itself and actually reverse the damage that has occurred over the years.
Advocates claim that conducting a cleanse with apple cider vinegar helps to flush toxins from the body, regulate blood sugar levels, and encourage healthy weight loss, all of which can improve liver health. However, there's little scientific support for these claims.
Fatty liver disease rarely causes any symptoms, but it's an important warning sign that you're drinking at a harmful level. Fatty liver disease is reversible. If you stop drinking alcohol for 2 weeks, your liver should return to normal.