The liver is a vital organ and, according to the Mayo Clinic, it is necessary for digestion, nutrient absorption and cleaning toxic substances out of the blood. Liver disease is an umbrella term for many disorders that cause the liver to not function properly. Some of these conditions are cirrhosis, hepatitis and liver cancer. If you have liver disease, the liver is already working overtime to keep the body healthy and providing the proper nutrients, while avoiding the ones that put strain on it, can help optimize your liver function.
Limit Protein
If you have liver disease, your liver will have a hard time processing protein. The University of Illinois Medical center explains that when protein cannot be broken down, a buildup of ammonia will occur. This ammonia will go to the bloodstream, where the levels can become toxic. Limit your intake of high-protein foods if you have liver disease. The American Liver Foundation recommends that women eat 4.5 oz of protein per day, and that men consume up to 6 oz.
Limit Salt
With a diseased liver, your body is already retaining extra fluid. According to a report issued by the Ohio State University Medical Center, adding more salt to your dietary intake can put more of a strain on the liver and cause it to retain even more fluid. Excess fluid can cause swelling of the hands and feet, inflammation in the tissues and high blood pressure. While extra sodium is most often added straight from the salt shaker, it can also be added by consuming too many processed, frozen and canned foods. The National Institutes of Health suggests limiting sodium intake to 1 to 2 gm per day, which is roughly equivalent to 1 to 2 tsp. You need to average the natural sodium in food into this daily amount.
Increase Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are converted to glycogen, which is a source of energy for the body. The University of Illinois Medical Center reports that a damaged liver can not break down and store glycogen, which is why it must be consistently replaced in the diet. When eating carbs, select healthy carbs in the form of fruit and vegetables, rather than processed foods that will just cause more work for the liver.
Choose Good Fats
Fats provide a good supply of calories for energy. The key is selecting unsaturated fats over trans fats. A report in the June 2009 issue of the medical journal "Obesity" states that trans fats alter the ability of the liver to process nutrients. However, according to the National Institutes of Health, fats are needed in the diet when you have liver disease because they work with the carbohydrates to keep protein in the body. Examples of healthy fats are olive oil, avocado, fatty fish such as salmon and tuna, walnuts and seeds. As with any diet, use fats in moderation.
Vitamins and Minerals
Because a diseased liver has a hard time storing vitamins and minerals, the University of Illinois Medical Center recommends taking daily supplements. Take a quality multivitamin, and ask your physician if there are other vitamins or minerals you should increase further. There are many popular herbal supplements that should be avoided when you have liver disease. You can find this list, and other liver disease diet tips, at the American Liver Foundation website (see Resources).
