Cirrhosis is a chronic condition marked by severe scarring of liver tissues. Scarring impairs your liver's ability to aid digestion and remove toxins from the body by impeding bile and blood flow through liver tissues. Hepatitis infections, prescription medications, immune system disorders and chronic use of alcohol may increase your risk for cirrhosis. Although there is no known cure for cirrhosis, dietary changes may help prevent the symptoms of this condition.
Check with your physician before altering your diet to treat cirrhosis.
Step 1
Consume lean proteins from food sources such as tofu, fish, white-meat poultry and beans. Lean proteins may help address swelling in your feet and legs, as well as fluid buildup in your abdomen caused by cirrhosis. However, check with your doctor before adding lean proteins to your diet. Excess protein consumption may cause hepatic encephalopathy, a toxic brain disorder that can impair cognitive function and lead to coma.
Step 2
Increase your intake of organic, raw fruits and vegetables, advises Phyllis Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." These foods provide a wealth of vitamins and nutrients to support liver function. They also supply dietary fiber, which may help lower high blood cholesterol associated with cirrhosis. Balch recommends obtaining 50 to 75 percent of your calories from organic, raw produce.
Step 3
Use spices and herbs such as marjoram, thyme, garlic, cayenne pepper and basil in cooking instead of salt. Salt may increase fluid retention, a common complication of cirrhosis.
Step 4
Consume foods rich in vitamin K, such as avocados, spinach, kale and broccoli. Deficiencies of this vitamin are linked to cirrhosis, according to Balch. A vitamin K deficiency may contribute to osteoporosis and may increase your risk of excessive bleeding.
Step 5
Add legumes, such as soybeans, kidney beans, chickpeas, lima beans and green peas, to your diet. These foods contain arginine, an amino acid that may help neutralize ammonia in your bloodstream, according to Balch. High ammonia levels may trigger cirrhosis-related hepatic encephalopathy.
Tips and Warnings
- Drink at least 8 glasses of filtered water per day. This may help your liver flush toxins from your bloodstream.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Cirrhosis
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.; 2010
