If your liver fails to function properly, you may feel tired and sluggish. You may also lose your appetite, develop other gastrointestinal symptoms, or even appear yellow or jaundiced, according to MedlinePlus. If you show signs of liver problems, you may need to adopt a healthy diet for liver function.
Causes
Liver disease takes many forms, and not all of them lead to liver failure, according to the Medical College of Wisconsin. Fatty liver disease represents the most common liver condition in the United States, as it's associated with diabetes and obesity. Viruses can cause hepatitis, which attacks your liver, and excessive alcohol consumption also can cause reduced liver function.
Function
If you're at risk for reduced liver function due to a fatty liver or to risk factors, such as diabetes and obesity, you don't need to take drastic steps to change your diet, according to the University of Washington. However, you should try to eat a healthy diet filled with low-fat protein sources, fruits, whole grains and vegetables. Avoid soda, starchy sweets and other sources of so-called "empty" calories.
Effects
If, on the other hand, your physician says your liver no longer functions at optimal levels, it may be time for you to take significant dietary steps to support this major organ, according to the University of Washington. This likely will mean reducing the amount of protein in your diet, because excess protein isn't healthy for your liver. It also can mean reducing the salt in your diet, because too much salt can lead to swelling in your abdomen and your hands and feet.
Prevention/Solution
Dr. Sandra Cabot of LiverDoctor.com offers an alternative approach to healthy dieting for liver function that she says can help people with fatty liver disease, the most common liver disorder. She recommends reducing or dropping refined carbohydrates from your diet and replacing them with preferably raw fruits and vegetables. She also urges patients to eliminate fried foods, margarine and sugar-sweetened drinks, and to replace many dairy products with soy-based and other products, such as soy or almond milk.
Considerations
Regardless of which dietary approach you take to improve your liver function, you should consult your physician in any changes to your diet, preferably before you implement them. If you need to reduce protein levels, a dietitian can help you determine safe foods to eat. Liver disease can affect your levels of nutrients, too, which may mean you need to take dietary supplements, according to the University of Virginia Health System.
