Evidence supporting the use of: BCAA
For the health condition: Hepatitis
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are sometimes used as a dietary supplement in patients with chronic liver diseases, including hepatitis, particularly when liver cirrhosis develops. The rationale is based on scientific observations rather than tradition. In liver disease, especially advanced cases, patients often develop a protein-energy malnutrition and a specific amino acid imbalance: plasma levels of BCAAs (leucine, isoleucine, and valine) decrease, while aromatic amino acids increase. This imbalance is linked to complications like hepatic encephalopathy and muscle wasting.
Several clinical studies and meta-analyses have investigated BCAA supplementation in chronic liver diseases. The evidence suggests that BCAA supplementation can improve nutritional status, reduce the risk of hepatic encephalopathy, and may improve quality of life in patients with cirrhosis. However, the evidence specifically for BCAA use in acute hepatitis or as a treatment for hepatitis virus infection (rather than its complications) is limited. Most guidelines (such as those from the European Association for the Study of the Liver) recommend BCAA supplementation in patients with advanced chronic liver disease and overt or recurrent hepatic encephalopathy, but not specifically for hepatitis per se.
In summary, BCAA use in the context of hepatitis is scientifically based, particularly in managing complications of chronic liver dysfunction, but its application is not for treating the hepatitis itself. The strength of evidence is moderate (rated 3), with benefits most clear for hepatic encephalopathy and muscle wasting in cirrhotic patients.
Other ingredients used for Hepatitis
green chirettaastragalus
black cumin
branched-chain amino acids
rice
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
cat's claw
caterpillar mushroom
chaga mushroom
Coptis chinensis
cordyceps
turmeric
dandelion
knotweed
jujube
L-cysteine
L-glutathione
lactoferrin
lentinula edodes mycelia
licorice root
liquid liver fractions
marine lipid
milk thistle
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
oleanolic acid
omega-3 fatty acids
oregon grape
parsley
plum fruit
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
protein
reishi mushroom
selenium
shiitake mushroom
silymarin
spirulina
turkey tail mushroom
vitamin C
vitamin E
seaweed
zinc
sarsaparilla
Indian bael
punarnava
commiphora
tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
caesalpinia crista
rubia cordifolia
swertia
peony
lingzhi
Szechuan lovage
morus
myrrh
ganoderma
aster root
paw paw
Algae
Angelica
Antrodia camphorata
Achyranthes
Auricularia
AHCC
Ajuga
Aucubin
Andrographolide
Albumin
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
Astragaloside
Andrographis
Agrimonia pilosa
Astragalin
Atractylone
Black Seed
Borotutu
Broussonetia
bergenin
Betulinic acid
Bayleaf
Bitter Grass
Bael
Basidiomycota
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Borassus aethiopum
Bacteria
Black root
BCAA
Bupleurum
Baicalin
Bassia scoparia
Bergenia
Chinese Silkvine
Coriolus mushroom
Chinese Fleeceflower
C-Phycocyanin
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Corilagin
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Glucan peptides
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Hyperoside
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portulaca
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Varuna
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Yin Chen
Zucchini