The liver is located on the right side of the body just under the rib cage. It purifies the blood to eliminate toxins, helps the body utilize nutrients from food, battles infections, manufactures bile and breaks down food. Once liver disease is diagnosed, a new diet must be implemented to help optimize liver function and minimize further liver damage. Changes to the diet to limit foods that will damage the liver is a crucial step to maintaining health when diagnosed with a liver problem. Vitamin supplementation is also an important part of trying to improve the health of the liver.
Protein
A damaged liver cannot function correctly when a patient consumes too much protein, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Limiting the intake of meats helps the liver avoid overload of toxins that cannot be released correctly. Only about 1g of protein per kilogram of body weight should be eaten, per the NIH. In the limited doses allowed, good sources of protein include chicken, fish, meat, yogurt, milk, eggs, peanut butter, tofu, cottage cheese, and pinto, kidney or navy beans.
Salt
A low-salt diet is crucial for patients with liver disease, notes the NIH. Avoiding an excess of salt helps the liver function properly without holding fluids and causing the body to swell.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates will make up the largest percentage of the diet for a patient with severe liver disease, according to the NIH. Carbohydrates such as cereals, rice, oats, breads and vegetables should be part of the diet for a patient with liver disease, according to Drugs.com.
Vegetables
Foods such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and kale are beneficial to liver health, according to Northwestern Health Sciences University (NHSU). Other vegetables that benefit liver health include artichokes, rhubarb, radishes, sprouts, garlic, onions and turnips.
Condiments
Patients with liver disease should avoid ketchup and any high-salt condiments, and focus on condiments such as salsa and parsley, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, sauerkraut, bitter melon, nori, wakame, stevia, date sugar and wild greens powder, according to NHSU.
Liquid Supplements
Liquid supplements may be given in cases of malnutrition due to severe liver disease, per the NIH. These supplements can be customized to the needs of the individual patient.
