Diet for Cirrohsis

Cirrhosis of the liver is characterized by excess scar tissue on the liver. As the ratio of healthy tissue to scar tissue drops, your liver's ability to filter bacteria, prevent infections and produce adequate bile is decreased. If cirrhosis progresses to a certain stage, you will need a liver transplant. Although it is not yet possible to reverse liver damage once it has reached the state of cirrhosis, you can prevent future damage, especially with a healthy diet.

Low Sodium Diet

• Often cirrhosis causes excess water to accumulate in the abdomen. Known as ascites, this condition may lead to further complications such as life-threatening infections. Thus, cirrhosis patients often are advised to eat a low-sodium diet, since sodium leads to higher water-retention rates. To lower your salt levels, read nutritional labels. Many common products such as soup and crackers come in low-salt varieties. If your doctor recommends a strict low-sodium diet, do not eat out since many restaurants, from fast food to fine dining establishments, use copious amounts of salt.

  When you cook at home, do not add too much salt to your meal. Cut out sauces high in sodium, or at least opt for low-sodium varieties of typically salty sauces, such as soy sauce. Above all, do not add salt to your food once it's on the table. Cut out processed meats and cut out or cut down on fresh meats high in sodium, such as beef and lamb.

Protein Balance

• Although protein will help to reduce swelling and fluid build-up caused by cirrhosis, too much protein may lead to complications. Remember that the scar tissue on your liver blocks the blood's ability to penetrate the liver and thus prevents your liver from filtering toxins at full capacity. Thus, as you eat protein, excess amino acids and ammonia may flow through your bloodstream. If these toxins travel all the way to your brain, you may suffer memory loss and confusion. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends that you maintain necessary protein balance through an increase in plant protein and a decrease in animal protein. Since the proper protein balance is difficult to achieve, your doctor may give you supplements.

  As you prepare your meals, look at your typical sources of protein. Replace meats, especially red meat, with tofu, soy beans or tempeh. Ask your doctor if you will fare better with poultry protein sources. Avoid fish, especially undercooked shellfish that may carry vibrio vulnificus bacteria. While most people who accidentally eat vibrio vulnificus in products like oysters just get a bad case of food poisoning, people with cirrhosis may have a fatal reaction.

  Look for protein sources that will not add too much fat to the diet. Many people with cirrhosis have fat-absorption problems due to a decrease in the liver's bile production. Your inability to process fat may cause fat to damage your liver further. Talk to your doctor about the fat content in your diet to ensure that you stay within an acceptable range based on your liver's fat-absorption capability.

Dietary Supplemants

• The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends that you use extreme caution before you continue or start to use dietary supplements, vitamins or herbal pills. Many supplements contain vitamins and nutrients that a diseased liver will not tolerate. Vitamins and herbs believed to harm the liver in high doses include Vitamin A, kava kava and germander. On the other hand, some supplements may reduce cirrhosis symptoms and help to improve bodily functions. These supplements include S-adenosylmethionine (better known as SAMe or SAM-e) and betaine. In addition, remember not to drink or use drugs. Not only will your damaged liver not filter these toxins, but drugs and alcohol also will lead to further liver damage.