Liver Cirrhosis Diet

A liver cirrhosis diet plan plays a vital role in delaying the deterioration of the liver and its functioning and in stopping further damage to liver cells. Liver cirrhosis dietary guidelines call for a diet rich in complex carbohydrates, particularly foods with high fiber content.


Food for cirrhosis patients should include plenty of proteins too, because proteins are essential for the production, repair and maintenance of cells, both in the blood and in the liver. Vegetarian fare can be ideal liver cirrhosis food because patients are able to better absorb protein from plant and dairy products rather than meat protein. While it is true that proteins are necessary, too much of protein can lead to several side effects when the liver’s functioning is compromised.


For those with liver cirrhosis, foods to avoid include processed meats, canned vegetables, pickles, and salted snacks, because they contain high levels of sodium. They should limit the consumption of fried food and fats as well because the weakened liver will be unable to produce enough bile for the digestion and absorption of fat. Diet for liver cirrhosis patients may include essential fatty acids and a special type of prescription fat called MCT (medium chain triglycerides) that does not need the action of bile to be absorbed into the blood.


Fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grain breads, and milk are foods good for cirrhosis patients that can help the liver to heal itself, especially in those cases where the damage to the liver is limited.

Liver cirrhosis treatment depends on the causes that led to the condition and the extent of the damage to the liver cells. In the case of patients with portal hypertension caused by increased blood pressure in the portal vein that brings blood to the liver from the intestine, beta blockers have been used to lower the pressure. Liver cirrhosis treatment guidelines may call for the use of diuretics if the patient has a problem of abdominal water retention or bloating called ascites.


Since cirrhosis of the liver treatment options are limited to arresting or slowing the progressive deterioration in the condition of the liver, care must be taken to stop drinking alcohol as alcohol abuse can aggravate the problem. Liver transplant may be the only option available for a patient in stage 4 of liver cirrhosis, as treatment can at best be supportive; this is because complications may set in at this stage. Enlargement of spleen, fluid accumulation in the abdomen, chronic fatigue, portal hypertension, inability to eliminate toxins, and eventually kidney failure may follow in quick succession. Heavy drinking for over a decade can cause fatty liver disease, a reversible condition that responds to alcoholic liver cirrhosis treatment and abstinence from alcohol. Binge drinking frequently even after fatty liver disease is diagnosed can lead to alcoholic hepatitis as the next stage. These are warning signals telling the patient to give up alcohol. The damage to the liver may be arrested by stopping alcohol consumption early on before liver fibrosis, which is the third stage, sets in. Cirrhosis of the liver is the fourth and final stage of alcoholic liver disease. If the patient continues to drink alcohol at this stage, liver failure and death may follow. Alcoholic liver cirrhosis treatment should be accompanied by professional counseling and support when the patient has serious alcohol cravings and suffers alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Cirrhosis Nutrition

Malnutrition is a serious issue faced by patients with liver disease as the nutrients in the food do not get absorbed well in the body when the liver does not function well. Oral supplements of vitamins, minerals, and plant protein instead of animal protein may be given as part of the cirrhosis nutrition diet. For those with liver cirrhosis, nutrition plays a vital role in correcting the fluid and electrolyte balance in the body and in aiding in the regeneration of liver cells. A nutrition plan for cirrhosis provides for at least sixty per cent of the total calorie requirements of the patient from carbohydrates, as the glycogen stored in the liver boosts energy levels and protects the liver from further damage. Restricting fat and sodium in the food is an important part of cirrhosis nutrition therapy. Recent research in stable cirrhosis nutrition reveals that protein restricted diets are not necessary for patients with cirrhosis as protein intolerance is uncommon and improved intake of vitamins and minerals actually serves to reduce complications. Malnutrition often plagues patients with primary biliary cirrhosis as sufficient bile from their liver does not reach the intestines, resulting in the inability to digest and absorb fats and fat soluble vitamins. Primary biliary cirrhosis nutrition plans could include fat supplements of MCT oil along with multivitamin supplements to take care of any deficiency. Once the goals of nutrition for cirrhosis patients are established, they should be encouraged to eat several small balanced meals through the day so that the calorie intake is well distributed. When oral diet and supplements are not sufficient, enteral feeding with a nasogastric tube may be resorted to. Improvement in alcoholic liver disease and reduction in viral infections in transplant patients was noted with enteral feeding to maintain adequate nutrition levels in the body. Parenteral feeding to maintain nutritional status in transplant patients is another option. Providing probiotic supplements to patients with an imbalance of intestinal flora and bacteria helps to improve liver function tests and to reduce the concentration of ammonia in the blood and removes the risk of encephalopathy.

Cirrhosis Protein Diet Plan

A bad diet may worsen the condition of the liver. Eating excessive fatty foods can be harmful as it leads to overweight which in turn is responsible for building fat in the liver. The term used for such a condition is fatty liver. Fatty liver leads to cirrhosis. Avoid foods that contain toxins that can be harmful for the liver. Avoid foods such as poisonous mushrooms that can lead to liver failure in the long run.

Do maintain a regular diet and eat well. Certain medications prescribed for treating cirrhosis can make you lose your appetite which can lead to weakness. Hence it is important that you eat healthy food regularly. Your body needs nutrition every single day and skipping meals will do you no good. Eat small meals throughout the day instead of two or three heavy meals. You can also buy an instant breakfast mix which you can have with juice or a fruit smoothie. You can also eat snacks such as peanut butter, hard boiled eggs and low fat cheese.