The liver is the largest organ inside the body and it performs multiple essential bodily functions. These functions include filtering out toxins and producing substances necessary for digestion and even blood clotting.The recommended foods for people with liver disease may differ based on the level of residual liver functioning.
Protein
According to MedlinePlus, protein is important for the repair of tissue. The University of Maryland Medical Center adds that protein especially helps counteract a buildup of fluid in the abdomen, legs, or hands, which occurs as a result of liver disease. High-protein foods are thus an important component of the diet for many people with liver disease.
However, it is important to add that people with very damaged livers do not process protein properly, and because of this, protein by-products in the blood build up. MedlinePlus advises consulting a doctor about your level of liver function to see whether foods with protein would benefit you. Fish, chicken, and turkey, as well as soy-based products like tofu, are appropriate sources of low-fat protein.
Carbohydrates
For people with severely diseased livers, a diet that includes many of its calories in the form of carbohydrates may be beneficial. Carbohydrates are converted to glycogen to be stored in the body as energy. A diseased liver may be low in its store of glycogen, thus eating carbohydrates can help restore these levels. Foods high in carbohydrates include breads, pasta, and potatoes.
However, liver disease due to non-alcoholic fatty steatohepatitis, commonly called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, is common in overweight persons who have a diet high in both fats and carbohydrates. St. Louis University notes that excess carbohydrates can be converted into fat, making liver disease worse.
Low-Salt Foods
As one of the symptoms of liver disease is fluid retention, eating foods that are low in salt helps prevent swelling. Processed foods like canned soups and lunch meats often have high levels of salt. Information about salt can be gleaned from the nutrition facts label on the food of interest. Freshly prepared foods, like fruits, vegetables, and un-altered meats from the butcher's counter, will only have the salt that you add to them during preparation.
