Hepatic Encephalopathy Diet

Hepatic encephalopathy is a condition in which the liver is unable to remove toxic substances in the body. This results in toxins building up in the blood and eventually deteriorating the brain. A diet specific to fighting this disease centers around removing toxic substances from the intestines, so they do not contaminate the blood and brain.

Considerations

• The first part of the hepatic encephalopathy diet is to remove animal protein. When protein breaks down in the body during digestion it releases ammonia. Hepatic encephalopathy sufferers are unable to remove this ammonia from the body due to poor liver function. A build up of ammonia is harmful to the body and must be eliminated.

Function

• After the body is purged of animal protein and depending on the severity of the disease, doctors may reintroduce non-animal protein into the body from sources like vegetables and soy. This allows people with hepatic encephalopathy to maintain proper nutrition without the build-up of toxins.

Features

• Once the patient has been reintroduced to non-animal protein, doctors recommend a diet high in vegetables. The fiber present in vegetables helps to flush-out any toxins as it passes through the intestine. Also people with hepatic encephalopathy should not consume any alcohol.