Diet for Cirrhosis of the Liver

Cirrhosis is the buildup of scar tissue which then replaces healthy tissue and blocks the flow of blood through the liver. While cirrhosis has been long associated with alcoholism, it has many causes. chronic hepatitis C, B and D, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, cystic fibrosis and continuous exposure to toxic chemicals have all been linked to cirrhosis. While your doctor will prescribe medication and a new lifestyle plan, here are some dietary changes to consider.

Protein and Fat

• Protein is key, but rather than rely on red meat, which is high in saturated fat, try healthier sources such as legumes, beans, lean cuts of poultry and most fish. (With fish, check to see which are eco-friendly finds in your area below, under additional resources.) Additionally, you should avoid fatty foods which can disrupt your digestive track. Fats are broken down by your body with bile, which your liver makes regularly if you are healthy. However, when you have cirrhosis, your liver will not produce enough high-quality bile for a diet laden with fat.

Limit Salt

• Salt encourages water retention, which people with cirrhosis already have a predisposition for. Swelling can become very visible in a person with cirrhosis, beginning in the ankles and then spreading from the legs to the abdomen, resulting in a dangerous condition called ascites. To avoid this, limit the amount of salt in your cooking. Check prepackaged food for how much salt it contains. When dining at restaurants, ask the waiter to hold back on the salt in your dish.

Avoid Alcohol

• In healthy people, a liver filters alcohol out of the body, which considers it a toxin. Even if your cirrhosis was not caused by excessive alcohol consumption, all forms of alcohol should be banned from your diet. The liver will continue to work harder to filter out the toxin, suffer from further damage and build up even more scar tissue. At social events, stick to seltzer or fizzy, nonalcoholic drinks.