Diet - Liver Disease

Overview & Functions

This diet is intended to protect the liver (in a person with liver disease) from over work and enable it to function as efficiently as possible.

Proteins assist with tissue repair, and prevention of fatty infiltration and damage to the liver cells. In people with severely damaged livers, the proteins cannot be properly metabolized and waste products (including ammonia) that are toxic to the body can build up and affect the brain. In this case, protein may be restricted.

The increase in carbohydrate helps in providing for an adequate reserve of glycogen, which is the storage form of carbohydrate. Carbohydrates should be the major source of calories for people with liver disease.

Anemia, peripheral neuropathy, and nutritional deficiencies may be treated with medication and vitamin supplementation.

Ascites and edema may be worsened by salt intake because salt holds on to water in the body. Most people with liver disease will need to have a sodium restricted diet.