The Importance of Avoiding Protein and Amino Acid Supplements for Those With Hepatitis/Liver Disease

It’s very easy for people with liver disease to consume too much protein. It’s just as important to realize that the ingestion of protein supplements, such as those commonly found in health food stores and groceries, can similarly be dangerous to people with a liver condition. Protein supplements force the liver and kidneys to work overtime in order to get rid of the excess protein ingested. Furthermore, excess protein can increase the risk of dehydration, as extra fluid is required to eliminate the byproducts of protein metabolism from the body. Lastly, protein supplements often contain a variety of vitamins, minerals and other food supplements which may cause dangerous excesses of these items in the body.  Furthermore, they are not regulated by the FDA ( see page xx chapter 21) in the body. Protein supplements are only required for people who are malnourished and unable to obtain adequate protein intake through their regular diets.

Amino acid supplementation is also potentially dangerous for people with liver disease. Although amino acids are indeed natural, it doesn’t mean that they’re always safe, especially for people with liver disease. Most of the amino acid supplements that are available over- the- counter come in quantities that are far greater than the amount the body needs. Consumption of excessive amounts of amino acids may cause serious side effects. Probably the best known example of this involves L-tryptophan, an aromatic amino acid (AAA) used as a supplement to aid sleeping. Promoted for many years as safe and natural, L-tryptophan was eventually banned for sale by the FDA in 1990 because many people who consumed this amino acid developed a serious muscle disorder. Death even occurred in some people as a result of L-tryptophan ingestion. Some other amino acid supplements are high in AAA (for example, phenyalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan), which have been demonstrated to be detrimental to some people with liver disease. Another amino acid, methionine, may induce encephalopathy in people with liver disease. Vegetables contain very little methionine, yet have a high content of the branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs- such as leucine, isoleucine, and valine). Some experts believe BCAAs are beneficial to people with encephalopathy. However, under no circumstances should any form of amino acid supplement be added to the diet of a person with liver disease.

All contents of this article are Copyright © Melissa Palmer, MD

Melissa Palmer, MD is the author of " Dr. Melissa Palmer's Guide of Hepatitis and Liver Disease". (Published 2004. Penguin Putnam).

Dr. Palmer is an internationally renowned hepatologist who has been practicing medicine since 1985. Prior to 2012, she maintained perhaps the largest medical practice devoted to liver disease in the United States. Dr. Palmer is Clinical Professor of Medicine at New York University Medical Center. Dr. Palmer graduated from Columbia University with a B.A. and was trained in hepatology (as well as medical school) at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City.

Dr. Palmer is Board Certified in Gastroenterology and in Internal Medicine.

She has authored numerous scientific publications in the field of hepatology in such peer-reviewed journals as Hepatology, Gastroenterology, Seminars of Liver Disease, Transplantation and Archives of Internal Medicine.

She is frequently called upon by the media for her opinion on various topics related to liver disease. Dr. Palmer has appeared many times on television as a liver disease expert and has been quoted in such publications as TIME magazine, Cosmopolitan magazine, Prevention magazine, the Los Angeles Times, and Newsday. She also has appeared in numerous videos and CD-Roms aimed at educating doctors and the public about hepatitis C and other liver diseases, such as primary biliary cirrhosis. Dr. Palmer lectures to the medical and general public on liver disease-related topics on a regular basis.

Dr. Palmer has performed numerous clinical trials on various experimental medications for the treatment of hepatitis.

Dr. Palmer is currently available for lecturing, investor and hedge-fund consultations, consultations to industry, and media interviews and appearances-- including television. For such matters, she can be contacted through hepatitismedia@gmail.com.

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