Diet for liver disease

Definition:

A diet plan for people with liver disease.

Functions:

This diet is intended to protect the liver (in a person with liver disease) from overwork and enable it to function as efficiently as possible.

Proteins assist with tissue repair, and prevention of fatty infiltration and damage to the liver cells. In people with severely damaged livers, the proteins cannot be properly metabolized and waste products (including ammonia) that are toxic to the body can build up. In this case, protein may be restricted.

The increase in carbohydrate helps in providing for an adequate reserve of glycogen, which is the storage form of carbohydrate. Carbohydrates should be the major source of calories for people with liver disease.

Anemia, peripheral neuropathy, and nutritional deficiencies may be treated with vitamin supplementation.

Ascites and edema require sodium restriction.