Nutrition and Natural Therapies in the Treatment of Autoimmune Hepatitis: Editorial

21/6/2022

Cliff J. d C. Harvey

Journal of Holistic Performance
ISSN: 2463-7238 | DOI: 10.26712/210622
Published: 21 June 2022

Key findings in plain English:

Any diet that encourages nutrient sufficiency is likely to be of benefit to autoimmune conditions
Additionally, insulin resistance is likely to be a causative factor for autoimmune hepatitis
Of particular importance is sufficiency in vitamin D
Gluten (and possibly dairy) free diets may be of benefit
Emerging treatments such as medicinal mushrooms (Hericium, Ganoderma, Inonutus spp.) warrant additional research

Editorial | Not Peer-Reviewed

Abstract
Full-Text
Article Information

Introduction

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), formerly called lupoid hepatitis, is a chronic, autoimmune disease of the liver. Autoimmunity occurs when ‘self’ cells and tissue are recognised as foreign to the body, either primarily, often due to molecular mimicry elicited by a pathogen, or secondary to a pathogen residing on or near that tissue, creating a stimulus for inflammation.
In the case of AIH, liver cells are the targets for this immune cascade, resulting in inflammation and elevation of liver enzymes. This commonly results in the initial symptoms of fatigue, jaundice, muscle aches, and upper quadrant abdominal pain, although symptoms can be mild or absent in many individuals and diagnosis is often made because of the patient seeking treatment for minor complaints (i.e., mild stomach pain).
The condition might result from an anomalous presentation of major histocompatibility complex class ll receptors (MHC ll) on the surface of liver cells which causes the cell-mediated immune response against these cells. This is thought to be due to genetic predisposition and/or acute liver infection.

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Author

Cliff J. d. C. Harvey
ORCID | Google Scholar

Holistic Performance Institute.
7a Ascension Place, Rosedale, Auckland NZ.

Correspondence to: Dr Cliff Harvey cliff@hpn.ac.nz