Liver disease  
          and nutrition
          Our liver helps our bodies digest and store nutrients from food. 
          If you have a liver condition, paying particular attention to your 
          diet and weight is an essential part of your overall treatment 
          plan. Specific nutrition recommendations vary based upon the 
          type of liver disorder and/or progression of your condition.
          General nutrition recommendations                                     Nutrition recommendations for specific conditions
          – Lose weight if you are overweight or obese.                         Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic 
          – Eat a well-balanced, healthy diet full of fruits,                   steatohepatitis (NASH)—NAFLD is a condition in which 
            vegetables, complex carbohydrates and lean protein.                 excess fat is stored in the liver. NASH is a form of NAFLD 
            Avoid greasy, high fat fried foods and high fat meats.              characterized by fat accumulation, inflammation and liver 
          – Limit sources of concentrated sugar, such as                        cell damage. Inflammation and liver cell damage can cause 
            sweetened beverages, cake and sweets.                               fibrosis or scarring which can lead to cirrhosis.
          – Limit the amount of sodium in your diet. Limit canned,              – If you are overweight, it is very important that  
            processed, pre-packaged meals and soups, cheese, high-                you lose weight. 
            sodium condiments and snack foods. If you have ascites              – Reduce your total intake of dietary fats.
            (fluid in the abdomen), your doctor may recommend you               – Avoid concentrated sugars from sugar sweetened 
            keep your sodium intake to 500 mg per day or less.                    beverages and pastries, cookies, cakes and sweets. Read 
          – Avoid foods that can cause foodborne illness, such as                 food labels to avoid products containing high fructose 
            unpasteurized, raw milk products and juices; raw or                   corn syrup. Be mindful of hidden sugar sources in breads, 
            undercooked eggs and products containing raw eggs;                    cereals, yogurts, salad dressings and condiments.
            undercooked or raw meat, poultry and seafood; and raw               – Limit refined white carbohydrates from white bread, pastas 
            sprouts such as alfalfa, radishes and mung beans.                     and rice and replace them with whole-grain sources.
          – Avoid alcohol, which can further damage your liver.                 – Eat more non-starch vegetables (broccoli, asparagus, kale, 
                                                                                  spinach) and choose low glycemic fruits (berries, melons).
                                                                                – Avoid alcohol.
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         Hepatic encephalopathy — A condition that causes decrease 
         brain function in people with advanced liver disease.
         – Minimize protein in the diet, particularly protein from animal 
           sources (beef, pork, poultry, cheese). Talk to your doctor or 
           dietitian about what amount of protein is right for you.
         – Follow a low sodium diet by limiting canned foods, deli 
           meats, cured foods, salty snacks, condiments such as 
           ketchup, boxed foods and frozen meals.
         – Avoid alcohol.
         Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) — A progressive 
         autoimmune disease that affects the small bile ducts within 
         the liver. Bile ducts release bile, a substance stored in the 
         gallbladder, to digest fat after a meal. PBC may make it 
         difficult for you to tolerate fats.
         – Reduce the overall amount of fat in your diet.  
           Avoid fried, greasy foods.
         – Replace high fat meats with chicken or turkey  
           breast and fish.
         – Limit butter, margarine, lard, mayonnaise and  
           high fat salad dressings.
         – Use low fat or fat free dairy products.
         – Limit the amount of fat and oil you cook with.
         – Use low fat cooking techniques such as baking,  
           broiling, grilling and steaming.                                       For more information, contact the Katz 
         Cirrhosis — A long-term consequence of chronic liver                     Institute for Women’s Health Resource 
         disease in which scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue.              Center at (855) 850-KIWH (5494) or 
         This prevents the liver from working normally. Signs and                 womenshealth@northwell.edu.
         symptoms of cirrhosis vary from person to person so 
         nutrition therapy needs to be tailored to your particular 
         needs. Many people with cirrhosis experience a low appetite              In collaboration with The Sandra Atlas Bass Center 
         and have difficulty eating enough calories.                              for Liver Diseases and Transplantation
         – Eat smaller, more frequent meals rather than  
           three large meals.
         – Eat a balanced, healthy diet including a variety of  
           fruits and vegetables, lean sources of protein (legumes, 
           poultry and fish) and whole grain complex carbohydrates.
         – The amount of protein you need depends upon  
           your symptoms.
         – Limit the amount of sodium in your diet.
         – If you have difficulty eating enough food, talk to your 
           doctor about oral supplements and if a multivitamin or 
           mineral supplement is right for you.
         – Avoid alcohol.