A decrease in serum albumin can lead to symptoms such as edema, ascites, and general weakness, prompting some patients to believe that taking albumin supplements could raise their serum levels. Hypoalbuminemia is used as a clinical indicator related to the severity of chronic diseases, including cirrhosis.
However, egg white-derived albumin products primarily contain ovalbumin, not human serum albumin. More importantly, whether albumin or other proteins are consumed, they are broken down into amino acids and small peptides by stomach acid, pepsin, pancreatic proteases, and intestinal mucosal peptidases before absorption. The structure does not allow for the direct entry of intact albumin molecules into the bloodstream to replenish serum albumin levels.
In fact, there is limited evidence that large proteins or peptides are absorbed in physiologically significant concentrations in healthy adults; absorption mainly occurs in the form of amino acids and di-/tri-peptides.
Clinically, it is rare for serum albumin levels to significantly increase in patients with cirrhosis when taking albumin supplements. In cirrhosis, hypoalbuminemia does not simply result from a lack of albumin intake but is a complex outcome of reduced protein synthesis by liver cells, fluid retention due to portal hypertension, blood dilution, systemic inflammatory responses, increased protein catabolism, and protein loss through the kidneys or intestines.
Thus, oral albumin products are just one source of amino acids, similar to regular protein foods. While the absorbed amino acids can serve as building blocks for albumin synthesis in the liver, patients with already impaired liver function may not see an immediate increase in production from merely supplying these building blocks.
The albumin used in medical settings is an intravenous formulation of human serum albumin, distinct in purpose and mechanism from oral albumin supplements. Intravenous albumin is used in specific complications of cirrhosis, such as preventing circulatory dysfunction after large-volume paracentesis, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, and hepatorenal syndrome. This treatment aims to correct intravascular volume and colloid osmotic pressure, stabilizing circulatory function, and is not intended for nutritional supplementation or to simply raise albumin levels.
Therefore, it is inappropriate to view albumin supplements as liver function enhancers or fatigue relievers. The term "albumin supplementation" used in product advertisements may mislead consumers into thinking that serum albumin is directly replenished. In reality, it should be understood as a form of protein supplementation that cannot replace disease treatment or liver function recovery.
For liver health, accurately diagnosing underlying diseases and maintaining balanced nutrition is more important than consuming specific protein products at high costs. Patients with cirrhosis often experience muscle wasting and malnutrition, necessitating consultation with specialists and nutritional management.
Generally, for patients with cirrhosis, a protein intake of about 1.2 to 1.5 grams per kilogram of body weight per day is recommended to prevent muscle wasting and improve nutritional status. However, patients with ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, or reduced kidney function require individualized dietary prescriptions based on their specific conditions.
Common chronic liver diseases in South Korea include hepatitis B and C, metabolic fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, and cirrhosis, all of which can progress to liver cancer.
Particularly, liver cancer often presents with few early symptoms, making regular surveillance and screening crucial for patients with cirrhosis or chronic viral hepatitis. Symptoms such as pain in the upper right abdomen, weight loss, severe fatigue, and jaundice may indicate that the disease has significantly progressed. The National Cancer Information Center also identifies chronic hepatitis B and C, cirrhosis, alcoholic liver disease, and obesity and diabetes-related fatty liver disease as major risk factors for liver cancer.
To prevent liver cancer, it is important to receive hepatitis B vaccinations, undergo hepatitis C screening and treatment, abstain from or limit alcohol consumption, maintain a healthy weight, manage diabetes and hyperlipidemia, and avoid unverified folk remedies and hepatotoxic medications.
Patients with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis should undergo regular liver ultrasounds and blood tests, and rather than relying on health supplements, it is advisable to consult specialists for treatment tailored to the causes and stages of their conditions.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.