Eating for a Healthy Liver: A Guide to the Diet of Liver Cirrhosis
Liver cirrhosis (LC) is characterized by progressive damage to the liver followed by healing with scarring, diminishing its ability to function. Primary goals of a diet of liver cirrhosis are to ensure adequate nutrition, maintain a healthy body weight, and reduce the workload on the liver.
Cirrhosis is a chronic liver disease that can result from a variety of causes, including alcohol consumption, viral hepatitis, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
The condition can cause severe damage to the liver, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss, and abdominal pain. To manage cirrhosis, it is essential to follow a healthy diet that can help support liver function and prevent further damage.
A healthy diet can play a role supporting the liver and retarding progression of damage. A diet low in salt and fat, high in carbohydrates and protein helps achieve these goals.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take a deep dive into the dietary needs of individuals with cirrhosis.
Limiting salt intake
In cirrhosis, body looses ability to eliminate excess salt leading to fluid buildup in the body. This presents as swelling, easily seen in the legs and ascites (fluid in abdomen).
Limiting daily salt intake to less than 2 grams per day is important especially in later stages of cirrhosis after development of ascites.
Processed and packaged foods, such as canned soups and frozen meals, are often high in salt and should be avoided.
Limiting fat intake
High fat diet can cause inflammation and hasten damage to the liver. Limit daily fat intake to less than 20-30 grams per day.
Limiting intake of alcohol
Alcohol use hastens liver damage and hence should be avoided.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates is an important source of energy and should make up the majority of the diet. Whole grains, fruits, and vegetables are good sources of carbohydrates.
They provide important vitamins, essential minerals and fiber (which helps maintain regular bowel movements and prevent encephalopathy, particularly in later stages of cirrhosis).
When it comes to a diet for cirrhosis, it is essential to focus on foods that are nutrient-dense and easy to digest.
Protein
Liver needs protein to function properly and repair damaged cells. It is recommended to consume between 60-80 grams of protein per day.
Choose lean protein sources such as chicken, fish, and dairy based- paneer and cheese.
Maintain a healthy weight
People with liver cirrhosis are at risk of developing malnutrition, which leads to muscle wasting and weakness. Goal is to create a diet plan that ensures weight maintenance and provides adequate nutrition.
Consume enough fluids to prevent dehydration
Water, broth-based soups, and low-sodium juices are good choices. In later stages of cirrhosis, after development of ascites, fluid restriction is important part of diet plan to prevent rapid re-accumulation.
While some recommendations are valid in all stages of cirrhosis, each stage of cirrhosis has different dietary requirements.
Thus, it is not appropriate to provide do’s and don’ts that are common to all patients with liver cirrhosis.
It’s best to consult your doctor to obtain a personalized diet chart based on your specific needs tailored to stage of the disease.
