Dietary requirements for those with liver disease depend on the type of liver disease and how well the liver is working.  It is imperative that a doctor be consulted for the dietary recommendations and for the maintenance of a patient with liver disease.

diet liver disease
image via http://www.ctvnews.ca/

Usually, a person with severe liver disease would be given vitamin supplements, especially B-complex vitamins, to ensure that daily nutritional requirements are met despite of dietary restrictions.  Carbohydrates are advised to be the major source of calories in the diet, thus, starchy foods are highly recommended.  Protein intake would be limited to about 1 gram or less of protein per kilogram of body weight.

There are also specific dietary recommendations and restrictions for the various liver diseases.  The table below gives a general idea of diets for each type of liver disease:

DISEASE DIET RECOMMENDATION
BILE DUCT DISEASE
(an ailment that prevents the bile which is responsible for the
emulsification of lipids  from flowing to the small intestine)
  • use fat substitutes
  • use kernel oil such as olive,
    canola, sunflower, flaxseed, and corn oil
CIRRHOSIS
(the scarring and hardening of the liver due to chemicals,
viruses, toxic metals, and autoimmune liver disease)
  • protein should be strictly regulated
    and consultation with a doctor or dietician is highly recommended
  • limit the amount of salt in the food
    you eat
FATTY LIVER DISEASE
(the buildup of fat in the liver cells)
  • limit high-calorie foods
  • choose foods that have high fiber
    content
HEMOCHROMATOSIS
(the buildup of iron in the liver)
  • avoid iron-rich foods, iron
    supplements, and multivitamins with iron
  • do not eat uncooked shellfish
  • do not cook on iron pots and pans
HEPATITIS C
(caused by the hepatitis C virus)
  • limit foods that are iron-rich
  • limit the amount of salt in your
    food
  • do not cook on iron pots and pans
WILSON DISEASE
(the buildup of copper in the body)
  • limit food that contain copper such
    as shellfish, chocolate, nuts and mushrooms
  • do not cook on copper pots

Those with liver diseases must always consult their doctors regarding their dietary concerns as malnutrition and unhealthy diet can cause detrimental damage to the liver.

—