The liver is an organ in the upper-right section of the abdomen. It is part of the digestive system, and is involved in a variety of functions including the storage of necessary nutrients, fat digestion, detoxification, blood clotting and protein manufacture. According to the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, 27,500 Americans died of chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, a liver disorder, in 2005. As this statistic shows, liver diseases are serious disorders. They are treated with drugs and medical intervention as well as diet.
Challenges
A diet for liver problems must address a group of challenges that accompany a diseased liver. According to the American Liver Foundation (ALF), one fundamental issue that a person with liver disease may face is a smaller abdominal capacity due to ascites. Ascites is an excess of fluid filling the abdominal cavity that results from a liver disease called cirrhosis. Because of this, the stomach may not have room to expand to accommodate food.
The ALF also lists poor nutrient absorption as a factor that influences a diet for liver problems. Because the liver produces the bile that makes fat digestion possible, an impaired liver may result in poor fat absorption. Additionally, the diarrhea that accompanies liver problems may cause valuable nutrients to be eliminated from the body before they are absorbed.
Calories
The University of Illinois Medical Center advises a diet high in carbohydrates for those facing liver problems. The liver stores glycogen, a form of sugar. A diseased liver may not be able to release this glycogen in a form available for use in the body. Consequently, dietary caloric intake must be high to provide the body with easily accessible sugar. This is achieved through calorie-dense foods and frequent snacks between meals.
Fluid Balance
Because ascites is a common component to liver problems, ensuring a proper fluid balance is a key element of a diet that protects your liver. Sodium causes increased water retention, therefore the ALF recommends a diet with a low sodium consumption of 2,000 to 2,400mg of sodium per day. The ALF also advises to beware of over hydration, and to limit fluid intake to six to eight cups of water per day.
Toxins
The liver filters the body's blood and removes toxins. A major toxin the body faces is alcohol. It's important to avoid alcohol when addressing liver problems. Don't eat shellfish or other foods known to carry a risk of poisoning with them, and take extra care to maintain proper food handling and hygiene.
Protein
Protein digestion produces wastes, such as ammonia, which must be filtered and removed from the blood by the liver. Because the goal of a diet for liver problems is to relieve the liver of work, an excess of protein may be harmful. However, adequate nourishment is also important and the nutritional value of protein must not be overlooked. The ALF recommends a daily protein intake of 4 to 5 oz. for women and 6 oz. for men.
