In cirrhosis, the liver lacks the ability to use stored glycogen for energy. Patients with this disease are recommended to use fat substitutes and kernel oil (canola, olive, corn, sunflower, peanut, flax seed oils). This leads to improper digestion of dietary fat. In bile duct disease, flow of the bile (a liquid that helps fat digestion) from the liver to the small intestine is restricted. In addition, salt intake should be limited. Cooking in iron utensils should also be avoided. In case of hepatitis C infection, it is important to reduce the intake of food that contain a high concentration of iron. Drink 3 cups of coffee and 4 tablespoons of olive oil per day. Avoid refined sugar and foods with saturated fats (cake, chocolate, and biscuits).Eat slow-release carbohydrates (bread and potato).Increase the intake of plant-based foods (fruits and vegetables).In non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, the best measures that can be taken to reduce liver damage include Moreover, a balanced diet with enough protein and carbohydrate, as well as high-energy, high-protein drinks with vitamin and mineral supplements are good for these patients. Therefore, foods that are rich in thiamine, such as whole grains, yogurt, legumes, seafood, fish, and egg, are recommended. In alcohol-related fatty liver disease, patients mainly lack a B vitamin called thiamine, which is required to get energy from carbohydrates. There may be specific food requirement for a particular liver disease, which can potentially prevent further deterioration. If detected at an early stage, pathological liver damage can be reversed by simply adopting a healthy diet plan. What are the dietary requirements for specific liver diseases? Since the liver is the main organ for alcohol detoxification, liver damage can be prevented to a greater extent by avoiding or limiting alcohol consumption to one drink/day for women and 2 drinks/day for men. In such cases, reducing protein intake and increasing carbohydrate intake can be beneficial. In case of severe liver damage, the organ cannot digest proteins properly, which subsequently causes accumulation of toxic waste products in the blood. In addition, consumption of high-salt foods can lead to fluid-buildup and swelling in the liver. Vitamin B12, folic acid supplements could potentially halt or reverse advanced form of fatty liver diseaseįried/fast foods that are high in fat and sugar are extremely harmful for liver health.SLU and industry partners report the first effective drug to treat rare, genetic liver disease.Simple blood test can predict liver cancer risk in NAFLD patients.Moreover, in patients with liver disease, consumption of coffee can reduce the progression of the disease. According to the British Liver Trust report, drinking moderate amount of coffee daily can reduce the risk of liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Interestingly, many studies have revealed beneficial effects of drinking coffee on liver health. In addition, consuming a lot of water/fluid is vital for preventing dehydration and maintaining normal liver function. In general, a balanced diet that is good for the liver should include a variety of fruits and vegetables, starchy carbohydrates (potato, rice, bread, and pasta), milk/soy drinks, beans and pulses, meat (fish and egg), and unsaturated oils.įood items that are high in fiber are good for optimal liver functioning. Thus, maintaining a healthy liver is a prerequisite for preserving overall body homeostasis.Ī well-balanced diet, generally defined as a diet which is low in fat, sugar, and salt and high in fiber, is important to reduce the metabolic burden on the liver.Ĭhoosing a diet from a wide range of foods is essential to ensure that the body is providing all essential nutrients. In addition, the liver also detoxifies potentially harmful substances, for example alcohol and prevents their accumulation in the body. These nutrients are then carried to the liver, which subsequently processes them to either store or use to support important physiological functions in the body. Why a balanced diet is important for the liver?įood nutrients like carbohydrates, fat and protein are absorbed into the bloodstream from the gastrointestinal tract. Since the liver is a vital organ for digesting food and filtering toxic substances from the blood, good nutrition is particularly important for both preventing liver damage or slowing the progression of liver disease. Illustration Credit: Magic mine / ShutterstockĪ healthy and balanced diet is essential for maintaining normal liver function.
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