The liver is responsible for detoxifying harmful substances from the body, converting nutrients into energy and producing cholesterol. Several conditions can negatively impact liver function, including viral infections like hepatitis, cirrhosis and cancer. Following a certain diet can serve as an important complement to other treatments for liver disease. Discuss your diet with a doctor or other qualified health care professional to formulate an eating plan that will help liver function and ensure adequate intake of important nutrients.
Step 1
Consume protein in modest amounts. A diseased liver cannot process proteins as efficiently and this will strain the liver; excess protein can also to a build up of waste products in the blood stream, which can result in mental confusion. The Hepatitis Foundation International recommends dividing your body weight in half to determine your daily protein gram intake. The foundation also notes that your liver might better tolerate plant proteins like beans rather than animal sources. You must consume adequate protein, however, to prevent nutritional deficiencies.
Step 2
Moderate intake of fatty foods as excess consumption can impair liver function and lead to fatty deposits. Ideally, fat intake should not exceed 30 percent of your daily calories. Increase consumption of healthy fats like nuts, olive oil, canola oil, fatty fish and flax seed. Restrict saturated fats found in animal products and trans-fats found in most commercially baked goods---look for "partially-hydrogenated" on the list of ingredients. Eating some fat is important, as it helps preserve the protein already present in the body; this is important since liver disease calls for decreased protein consumption.
Step 3
Eat the right kind of carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates like oats, brown rice, whole wheat, barley, bran, wheat germ, fruits, vegetables and legumes are best. This nutrient breaks down the easiest and puts the least amount of strain on the liver and other parts of the body involved in the conversion of food to energy. Like fats, adequate carbohydrate intake helps preserve protein.
Step 4
Consume only 1,000 to 2,000 mg of salt daily as recommended by the National Institutes of Health. Focus on whole, fresh foods rather than prepared and processed foods, which tend to have large amounts of salt, as do cold cuts, condiments and many dairy products.
