Cirrhosis of the Liver

Introduction: Why Cirrhosis Needs a Functional Medicine Approach

Cirrhosis isn’t just a liver problem—it’s a systemic health issue with deep-rooted causes. Over 4.5 million Americans live with chronic liver disease, and many are unaware until advanced damage occurs.
At Patients Medical in New York City, we approach cirrhosis with a comprehensive lens, combining conventional diagnostics, natural healing methods, and functional medicine strategies to address inflammation, detox overload, gut-liver imbalance, and more.

What Is Cirrhosis of the Liver?

Cirrhosis is the late stage of chronic liver disease, where healthy liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue. This fibrosis interferes with essential liver functions, including detoxification, hormone processing, nutrient metabolism, and immune regulation.

Common causes of cirrhosis include:

  • Chronic alcohol use
  • Hepatitis B or C infection
  • Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD/NASH)
  • Autoimmune hepatitis
  • Genetic/metabolic disorders (e.g., Wilson’s disease, hemochromatosis)
  • Toxin exposure (environmental or pharmaceutical)

Common Symptoms of Cirrhosis

Root Causes: Why Did You Develop Cirrhosis?

From a functional medicine perspective, liver damage is not simply about alcohol or viruses. It’s about overload—from food, stress, toxins, infections, and imbalances that impair liver regeneration.

Key drivers include:

  • High sugar and processed food intake → fatty liver and insulin resistance
  • Alcohol consumption → oxidative damage and inflammation
  • Chronic infections → viral (HBV, HCV) or bacterial dysbiosis
  • Environmental toxins → pesticides, heavy metals, mold
  • Hormonal imbalance → estrogen dominance, thyroid disorders
  • Leaky gut and gut-liver axis dysfunction
  • Mitochondrial dysfunction → poor cellular detox capability

 

Diagnostic Testing We Use

At Patients Medical, we utilize cutting-edge labs to determine the extent of liver damage and what’s contributing to it:

Comprehensive Liver Panel (AST, ALT, bilirubin, albumin, GGT)

FibroScan or ultrasound elastography for liver stiffness

Viral hepatitis panel

Gut health tests (leaky gut, stool microbiome)

Heavy metal and toxin exposure

Oxidative stress and mitochondrial markers

Integrative Treatments for Liver Cirrhosis

Nutritional Therapy

  • Low-sugar, anti-inflammatory diets
  • Mediterranean or plant-based eating
  • Elimination of alcohol and processed foods
  • Functional foods like cruciferous vegetables, garlic, turmeric, and beets

IV Vitamin Therapy

  • Glutathione (master antioxidant and liver protector)
  • Vitamin C and B complex
  • Alpha-lipoic acid
  • NAC (N-Acetylcysteine) for liver support

Herbal & Nutraceuticals

  • Milk thistle
  • Schisandra
  • Dandelion root
  • Phosphatidylcholine
  • Selenium and zinc

Gut-Liver Axis Repair

  • Probiotics and prebiotics
  • Gut healing nutrients (L-glutamine, zinc carnosine)
  • Candida or SIBO treatment protocols

Hormone & Mitochondrial Support

  • Thyroid and adrenal balance
  • Low testosterone or estrogen clearance issues
  • Cellular energy deficits with mitochondrial cofactors

Lifestyle & Stress Management

Meditation, acupuncture, and breathwork help reduce inflammation-driving stress and promote liver regeneration.

Real Case Study: John’s Path to Liver Recovery

John, 48, came to us with early-stage cirrhosis and fatigue. Lab work revealed fatty liver, elevated liver enzymes, borderline hypothyroidism, and poor gut health.

We implemented a 4-month integrative plan that included:

  • Anti-inflammatory nutrition
  • Weekly glutathione IVs
  • Thyroid hormone optimization
  • Gut microbiome rebalance protocol
  • Herbal liver detox support
    His liver enzymes normalized, energy levels returned, and his hepatologist noted measurable fibrosis improvement on his follow-up scan

Testimonials

Frequently Asked Questions

 In early stages, yes. With the right diet, detox, and stress reduction, liver tissue can regenerate. Even in later stages, function can improve.

 Some patients require antivirals or diuretics, but many can reduce dependency under integrative care

 Yes, but these are highly personalized and medically supervised to ensure safety and effectiveness.

 We’re out-of-network, but provide detailed superbills. Some testing may be covered under standard lab plans.

Begin Your Journey with Patients Medical

Patients Medical specializes in gently helping the patient identify the root cause of their medical issues and then assist them to recover from their problems to help them move forward to good health.

Request your consultation today!

To schedule an in person on Tele-medicine appointment, please call our office at (212) 794-8800 or email us at info@PatientsMedical.com We look forward to hearing from you

Our medical center in New York City.

Patients Medical PC
1148 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1B New York, NY 10128

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