Alcoholic hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that results from chronic alcohol abuse. The second stage of alcoholic liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis is preceded by steatosis -- a fatty liver -- and if drinking continues, alcoholic hepatitis may progress to cirrhosis. Fortunately, liver damage is still reversible during the alcoholic hepatitis stage of alcoholic liver disease, as long as you stop drinking. Following a healthy diet can also help you recover from alcoholic hepatitis.
What To Cut
When you have alcoholic hepatitis, it's important to avoid certain foods and drinks that may worsen your condition. Most significantly, you must avoid all forms of alcohol in order to reverse liver damage and to prevent your liver disease from progressing to cirrhosis. It is also wise to avoid raw seafood and shellfish, which may contain toxins that may harm the liver. Additionally, you should try to reduce the amount of salt in your diet and make sure you don't get too much protein, as consuming too much salt and protein with alcoholic hepatitis can lead to complications including fluid retention in the abdominal cavity and hepatic encephalopathy. Furthermore, a diet for alcoholic hepatitis should limit overall calories, processed foods, saturated and trans fats, as these can lead to obesity, which can worsen alcoholic liver disease.
Foods For Liver Health
A person with alcoholic hepatitis should follow a balanced diet in order to promote overall good health and to prevent and correct nutritional deficiencies that often occur with alcoholism. A good diet for a patient with alcoholic hepatitis includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, healthy fats and some lean protein. Foods with fiber, vitamin B-1, vitamin A and vitamin K are especially important during recovery from alcoholic hepatitis as people with alcohol and liver problems commonly lack these nutrients. There is also some evidence that a kind of healthy fats called medium-chain triglycerides, present in coconut oil, may help reduce harmful buildup of fats in the liver that can contribute to liver disease, according to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Some other super-foods for liver health include garlic, Brussels sprouts, oat bran, artichokes and legumes.
Nutritional Therapies
It's important to exercise caution with so-called "nutritional therapies" for alcoholic hepatitis that involve herbal remedies or dietary supplements. While some herbs, including milk thistle, have been studied for possible beneficial effects for liver disease, there is not sufficient scientific evidence to indicate that milk thistle or other alternative medicine treatments are good for liver health. Also, many herbs and other dietary supplement ingredients, while "natural," are toxic to the liver. Several herbal remedies may harm the liver, including mistletoe, pennyroyal, kava, chaparral, kombucha mushroom, and certain herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine. Supplementation of certain vitamins, such as B-1, may help correct dangerous deficiencies associated with alcoholic hepatitis, but you shouldn't take any vitamins or supplements without your doctor's approval.
Considerations
Sometimes, malnourished individuals with alcoholic hepatitis have trouble eating enough food to get key vitamins and minerals and may require tube feeding. Your doctor may also recommend a special diet based based on which, if any, nutritional deficiencies you have. In addition to adjusting your diet, other lifestyle changes, such as getting regular exercise and not smoking cigarettes, can also help improve your health outlook with alcoholic hepatitis. Depending on the severity of your condition, your doctor may also prescribe prescription treatments for alcoholic hepatitis, including corticosteroids or pentoxifylline. If you are dependent on alcohol and need help to stop drinking, your physician can help you find suitable treatment, which may include counseling, Alcoholics Anonymous, an inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation program, or medications that reduce your desire to drink.
References
- Hepatitis Foundation International: Caring for Your Liver
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism; Alcohol Alert #64: Alcoholic Liver Disease
- MayoClinic.com; Alcoholic Hepatitis; August 2010
- "The New York Times" Health Guide: Alcoholic Liver Disease
- American Liver Foundation; Ways You Can Take Care of Your Liver
- "Alive"; The 10 Best Foods for Looking After Your Liver; Antoine Giraud; March 2008
