Diet for a Struggling Liver... Suggestions? - Liver & Pancreas Disorders Message Board

tigerboxer · 08-02-2004, 07:11 PM

Having abused my poor liver on a daily basis for years, I now have an enlarged fatty liver. I'm not sure how extensive the damage is (the jaundice in my eyes is just fading) because I can't afford any more checkups, but I do still have a few (possibly psychosomatic) symptoms like itching/ prickling skin and eyes. And the "half-moons" in my nails have disappeared, which I vaguely remember is a symptom. (Enlighten me please!)

Anyway. Even if I could afford another checkup, doctors have always said the same thing so far - no alcohol (duh), no painkillers, no greasy fatty food. Fine.

The main problem is, I'm underweight (about 100-102 lbs, and 5'6"), and may possibly have all kinds of further delightful complications like muscle waste and osteoperosis. I haven't had a period for a year. Um, did I mention an eating disorder? Right.

Well. As far as I can understand I need a high-energy diet. Both to gain weight, obviously, but also to provide the liver with fuel etc., and stop it breaking down protein in the body for energy (I think - again, correct me).

But all the liver-happy nutritional guidelines advocate days of fasting, flushing, water and lemon juice, carrot juice, etc., to lighten the liver's load as much as possible.

Oh and artichokes...

Can anybody tell me what the liver likes, what it doesn't, whether stuff like icecream (pretty please!) is an acceptable source of high energy, how much protein I should be taking, how many calories I should be roughly aiming for, how much fat and from what sources, etc. etc.?

Obviously I'm drinking bottle after bottle of water, plus I'm taking Milk Thistle.

Thanks in advance!

vamp36 · 08-02-2004, 10:24 PM

I am also on the low-fat, low salt diet. We are suppose to eat alot of carbohydrates to get the energy we need. Things like, noodles, rice, skinless chicken, things like that.

tigerboxer · 08-03-2004, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinavamp

I am also on the low-fat, low salt diet. We are suppose to eat alot of carbohydrates to get the energy we need. Things like, noodles, rice, skinless chicken, things like that.

Low salt? I thought that was only if your kidneys were in trouble too/ you were retaining water. Also - chicken, a carbohydrate?! Kidding

Okay, we know that our livers don't want much fat at the moment. But what DO they want?

Moxie75 · 08-03-2004, 05:15 AM

This is what worked for me..Stay away from the bad carbs. Eat everything healthy in moderation. I eat fresh lean proteins, fresh fruit and alot of veggies. The only time i eat bread and rice is when it is whole flax seed grains and brown rice, whole wheat pastas. I eat a ton of fish and low fat yogurt and nuts every day. I take evening primrose oil, vitamin e and b-complex and liver tonic. I eat 5 small meals a day and weight train and cardio 5-6 days a week. The only fats I consume are pure olive oil and fats from chicken very small amount of beef maybe once a week. I do still have a cocktail every night. I do not have pain in my right side anymore unless I do a rigorous ab routine. You need to get your muscle built up so make sure you get enough protein but not too much and eat alot of meals. My doc did my blood work and liver enzymes are normal. He told me to keep doing what I am doing..Good Luck to you..

Lisa

tigerboxer · 08-03-2004, 05:40 AM

Thanks Moxie. What did you have - same thing? I'm so glad your enzymes are normal. I don't have pain (except in my ribs and pack - see "pain management" board, "upper rib and chest pain" thread - I really don't think it's liver pain as I feel nothing when I prod underneath my rib-cage like my doc does when he gives me a check-up and asks "Does this hurt?" - it never does but dammit it tickles ehehe), so the only physical indicators I have are my eyes (hard to tell as they're bloodshot from lack of sleep!) and urine color (after detoxing for over a week now: clear or pale).

I'm doing my best to be healthy, but it's really hard juggling (a) eating healthily after 10 years of disordered eating, (b) treating my liver kindly, (c) flipping the finger at any sneaky urges for a beer, and (d) doing all this when I'm currently penniless and can barely afford bread and eggs (the latter not being great for the liver, I know). I seem to be living off lentil soup at the moment! Anyway, on Friday I'm expecting some money, plus it's local market day - what should I stock up on?