- A damaged liver does not process foods properly. One of the liver's main functions is to remove bile from the body. Bile is created during the red blood cell recycling process. When a liver is damaged, it can't remove excessive bile from the body. When this happens, the liver does not do its part to aid in the digestion of fats.
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The body uses proteins to make muscles, skin, blood and hair. Proteins also are needed to create antibodies, which help your body fight disease. Because proteins do so much good for the body, some assume that if they have cirrhosis, they should consume more protein. This is not true. A damaged liver is not able to process as well as a healthy liver. If a damaged liver is inundated with proteins, encephalopathy (a disorder that alters brain function) could occur.
High-protein diets have a tendency to enhance the cytochrome P450 enzyme system, which increases the likelihood that drugs and medication for cirrhosis could be converted into toxic byproducts. Do not quit eating proteins, but definitely do not increase your protein consumption. - As a rule of thumb, a person with cirrhosis should eat a diet in which less than 30 percent of the caloric intake comes from fat. If you are overweight, this number should be closer to 10 percent. While it is important to limit fats, they should not be avoided altogether. Your body needs some fat to absorb vitamins A, D, E and K, but stick to unsaturated or polyunsaturated.
- If you suffer from cirrhosis, adjust your diet so that about 60 to 70 percent of the foods you eat include carbohydrates. Most of your carbohydrates should be complex carbohydrates, which come from starches and fibers. The average-sized person with cirrhosis should consume at least 400g of carbohydrates per day. Carbohydrates help repair a damaged liver. Vegetables are among the best foods to repair a liver. Eat many green vegetables, such as collard greens and artichokes. One cup of peas includes 25g carbohydrates, and one large sweet potato includes 44g, making them effective liver-building foods.
- A person who eats a well-balanced diet receives all of the vitamins and minerals needed to promote a healthy liver. However, some people take supplements and get more vitamins than needed. A person with a healthy liver can do this with no adverse results; however, this is dangerous for anyone with cirrhosis. A damaged liver has a hard time processing excess vitamins and minerals.
- In some cases, alcohol abuse caused cirrhosis in the first place. Because of the damage that alcohol can do to a liver, steer clear of it. Avoid alcohol at all times. This includes alcoholic drinks, as well as desserts or meals that include alcohol.
