Your liver is your largest organ and acts as a storage facility and filter. The liver stores nutrients, including iron, and controls the production of cholesterol. The liver also produces bile to help you digest your food and to allow you body to absorb essential nutrients. The main function of your liver, however, is to filter toxins from your body. Liver disease patients may not be able to perform these functions as easily as people with healthy livers, and may need to adjust their diets accordingly to ensure they are getting correct nutrition.
Protein
You might need to watch your protein intake if you have liver disease. Protein is an important part of most people's diet, but if your liver function is compromised, you might be overloading the organ. The Hepatitis Foundation International suggests dividing your weight in pounds by two to determine how many grams of protein you should be consuming daily; for example if you weight 150 lbs., in most cases you'll need to eat 75 g of protein daily. Exceeding your individual number may give your ailing liver more protein than it can handle. Too much protein in your diet could lead to a cognitive disorder called hepatic encephalopathy or a build of up ammonia in the body. Mental confusion is the primary symptom of hepatic encephalopathy; ammonia can be toxic to your system. Ask your doctor if you are in danger of eating too much protein and adjust your diet as recommended.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are an essential form of nutrition for people with liver disease. Because you may need to limit your protein intake, you will use carbohydrates for energy. The exact amount of carbs required varies according to your condition and is a source of debate among medical experts. The National Institutes of Medicine recommend eating large amounts of carbs and centering your diet on this food type, whereas the Hepatitis Foundation International prefers that liver disease patients limit their carbohydrate intake to 30 percent of their daily calorie intake. Consult your medical care provider for instructions specific to your situation. It is important to not confuse carbohydrates with fat, as many baked goods and snack foods that are high in carbs are also high in fat. Excess fat can further damage your liver if you are already experiencing reduced function. Aim for carbohydrates in the form of whole grains, potatoes and low-fat starches instead.
Sodium
Liver disease can contribute to fluid retention in the abdominal cavity, a condition called ascites. Reducing your sodium intake can also help reduce fluid retention. MedlinePlus recommends an extremely low-sodium diet as part of the nutritional treatment of liver disease, in which you consume only 1,000 to 2,000 mg of sodium daily. Processed foods are generally very high in sodium and should be avoided. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean sources of protein can keep your sodium levels in check when you are retaining fluid due to liver disease.
Vitamins
Malnutrition due to interference of the absorption of nutrients can be a side effect of chronic liver disease. Your doctor may prescribe vitamin supplements to ensure you are getting the correct nutrition for your condition. Take vitamins only as directed by your doctor to avoid potential problems, particularly with vitamins A and D. High levels of these vitamins may damage your liver further. B-complex vitamins may be used to keep your nutrition constant when suffering from compromised liver function.
