Alcoholic Liver Disease Online Support Group

Hi forehand, The fish oil debate is raging in supplement forums all over. It's a hot topic I really know very little about except that fish oil does oxidize very easily, both in the body and some say even in the supplement bottle once it is opened and exposed to air (pills may go rancid before you even take them).

As long as you're not drinking and the fish oil is fresh, it may be a good thing, but fish oil and alcohol do not mix!

Look here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7615205

"Dietary saturated fatty acids: a novel treatment for alcoholic liver disease".

In the above study, they gave their lab rats liver disease by feeding them fish oil and alcohol and then cured it by swapping the fish oil for palm oil (saturated fat). Their conclusion: "A diet enriched in saturated but not unsaturated fatty acids reversed alcoholic liver injury. This effect may be explained by down-regulation of lipid peroxidation".

It's important to remember these rats were actively drinking or in the immediate recovery process from alcohol and not well into recovery as you are so this might not apply to your situation.

I take supplements, but I am a big believer in LOW DOSES. I usually take about half the recommended dose of everything I do take. "Moderation in all things" is a good rule to live by.

As for the iron, if you're anemic you may need it... It's important to be sure your anemia is truly "iron deficient anemia" as anemia does have other causes. Follow-up and keep track of your blood labs and iron levels and don't stay on the iron unless you need to in order to keep your anemia under control.

I'm on the wagon for just over a year now and enjoying life more than ever. Sometimes a walk past the bar in a restaurant has me looking over my shoulder at the good times going on though.

P.S. Regarding alcoholic fatty liver... Mine went down quite quickly once I quit drinking. I knew this had happened when I could sleep on my right side again, which had been an uncomfortable thing to do for years while drinking.

Non alcoholic fatty liver I know little about except the guru's are saying it is more due to sugars and carbs than than actual fat consumption. High fructose corn syrup is mentioned most often. This, and high glycemic index foods like potatoes, white flour etc.

well, that's a relief - no harm if not drinking.

although, i was taking fish oil while drinking before, for cholesterol.

oh well - i'm probably doing something wrong these days too. Just don't know it yet.

i had dinner with couple of friends last night. Restaurant was busy, so after we finished our meal, moved over to the bar - for me club soda, for my buddies, beer - they are moderate drinkers.

i told them i had stomach problem - just cannot bring myself to admit that i drank too much too often before and ended up with fatty liver.

after about 20 min sitting there, i couldn't stand it any longer, not being able to drink so i left. i wasn't craving for drinks, but feeling sorry for myself, i guess, for being in such a position.

now, this morning, i'm depressed and being nasty to my wife for no reason. sometimes, i just want to give up.