Diet - liver disease

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A person with liver disease must eat a special diet. This diet is protects the liver from working too hard and helps it to function as well as possible.

Proteins normally help the body with tissue repair. They also prevent fatty buildup and damage to the liver cells. In people with severely damaged livers, these proteins are not properly processed. Waste products that are poisonous to the body may build up and affect the brain. In this case, protein may be restricted.

Increasing carbohydrates in the diet helps reserve enough glycogen. The body stores carbohydrate in the form of glycogen. Carbohydrates should be the major source of calories for people with liver disease.

Low blood count , nerve problems , and nutritional deficiencies may be treated with drugs and vitamin supplementation.

Fluid buildup and swelling in the liver may be worsened by salt intake because salt holds on to water in the body. Most people with liver disease will need to restrict sodium.

Review Date: 09/02/2005
Reviewed By: William McGee, M.D., M.H.A., Assistant Professor of Medicine and Surgery, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, and Director ICU Quality Improvement, Critical Care Division, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.