Regular, long-term coffee consumption may also have a protective effect on liver enzyme levels in people with and without liver disease and people with chronic alcohol consumption. Consuming oatmeal is an easy way to add fiber to the diet. Fiber is an important tool for digestion, and the specific fibers in oats may be especially helpful for the liver.

Oats and oatmeal are high in compounds called beta-glucans. As one study reports, beta-glucans are very biologically active in the body. They help modulate the immune system and fight inflammation , and may help reduce the risk of diabetes and obesity. The review also notes that beta-glucans from oats may help reduce the amount of fat in the livers of mice, which could also help protect the liver.

However, more clinical studies are necessary to confirm this benefit in humans. People looking to add oats or oatmeal to their diet should look for whole oats or steel-cut oats rather than instant oatmeal.

Instant oatmeal may contain fillers such as flour or sugars, which will not be as beneficial for the body. A research review highlights research that associates moderate green tea consumption with lower levels of two enzymes: alanine aminotransferase ALT and aspartate aminotransferase AST.

Both enzymes may increase due to liver injury. In rare cases, green tea extract may cause an increase in these enzymes or of acute liver injury. In these cases, stopping green tea extract consumption typically induced liver recovery. A systematic review suggests that green tea effects may depend on the health status of the individual, offering moderate benefits to people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease NAFLD but increasing liver enzymes in people without NAFLD.

A randomized clinical trial found that milligrams mg of garlic powder over 15 weeks significantly improved fat-build ups and comorbidity risk in people with NAFLD.

A population study of adults in China suggests that raw garlic consumption may also reduce the risk of liver cancer. According to a systematic review from , garlic supplementation may also lower AST levels but does not impact ALT levels. However, they highlight that more research is necessary to confirm this effect.

Many dark berries — including blueberries , raspberries , and cranberries — contain antioxidants called polyphenols , which may help protect the liver from damage.

Several animal studies have investigated the effect of berries on the liver. For example, a study suggests that blueberry and cranberry polyphenols reduced liver damage in rats. A study suggests that blueberries reduced liver fibrosis in rats, lowering the rate of liver weight gain and liver enzyme activity.

A study also suggests that blueberries may help to manage age-related liver disease and dysfunction in rats. However, further research is necessary to determine the effect of berry polyphenols on the liver in humans.

A study suggests a compound in grape skin and seeds alleviates symptoms of severe liver problems in rats, including liver enlargement, inflammation, and fat buildups.

Eating whole, seeded grapes is a simple way to add these compounds to the diet. A grape seed extract supplement may also provide antioxidants. Grapefruit contains two primary antioxidants: naringin and naringenin.

These may help protect the liver from injury by reducing inflammation and protecting the liver cells. A study suggests that naringin may protect against alcohol-induced liver steatosis by reducing oxidative stress.

However, some medications can interact with grapefruit, so people should check with a doctor before adding grapefruit or grapefruit juice to their diet. The fruit and juice of the prickly pear may also be beneficial to liver health.

A article suggests that prickly pear extracts show beneficial effects on the liver in animal studies. However, more research is necessary to determine the bioactive compound that causes these effects, the most appropriate dose, and whether the effects apply to human models.

A review associates plant-based diets with a lower risk of NAFLD and liver fat content. Plant foods they group as healthful include:. Consuming fatty fish and fish oil supplements may help reduce the impact of conditions such as NAFLD.

A population-based cohort study also associates regular fish oil supplementation with lower risks of liver cancer. Fatty fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are the good fats that help reduce inflammation.

These fats may be especially helpful in the liver, as they appear to prevent the buildup of excess fats and maintain enzyme levels in the liver.

Eating nuts may be another simple way to keep the liver healthy and protect against NAFLD. Nuts generally contain unsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E , and antioxidants.

These compounds may help prevent NAFLD and reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. Eating too much fat is not good for the liver, but some fats may help it. A study suggests olive oil, as part of the Mediterranean diet , may help reduce oxidative stress and improve liver function.

This is due to the high content of unsaturated fatty acids in the oil. In general, doctors will recommend a balanced diet for overall health. However, there are also some foods and food groups that the liver may find harder to process.

These include:. No individual foods can prevent or cure liver cancer. However, some foods that can promote overall liver health include oatmeal, berries, garlic, green tea, and coffee.

Some foods that are harder for the liver to process include highly processed and fatty foods, sugary foods, and alcohol. While certain dietary choices can promote liver health, nutrition alone cannot fight liver cancer and is not a replacement for treatment. Bile duct disease keeps bile from flowing to the small intestine.

Fatty liver disease is the buildup of fat in liver cells. Please note that fatty liver disease has been newly renamed to steatotic liver disease. Liver Disease Diets. What is Liver Disease? How Many People Have Liver Disease? A Healthy Diet, a Healthier Liver, a Healthier You So, what should you eat to ensure that your liver can function normally?

Stay away from a lot of fried foods including fast food restaurant meals. Raw or undercooked shellfish such as oysters and clams are a definite no-no. Talk to your doctor about alcohol and your liver health : Depending on the state of your liver, you should avoid alcohol.

Eat a balanced diet : Select foods from all food groups: Grains, fruits, vegetables, meat and beans, milk, and oil.

There are two ways to shift the balance of calories and lose weight. Eat a healthy, balanced diet. And be more physically active. Losing weight can seem hard. Take it one step at a time and keep going.

People often find it is easier to make small changes one at a time. Give yourself time to get used to your change and then make another one. If you have cirrhosis you may be advised to consume more energy calories and protein than a healthy person of the same weight and age.

Some people find eating a well-balanced diet difficult, especially if they have been seriously ill. Two common reasons for this are:. There is a great deal of information available on diet on the internet with many people offering dietary advice.

If you have liver disease, it is important to seek advice from your doctor and ask to be referred to a dietitian before taking any complementary medicines or dietary supplements. It is the first time that the entire body of current research and evidence has been reviewed and compiled into a single report.

If your liver disease is not alcohol-related, and you are concerned about whether you can drink alcohol, discuss it with your doctor. If your doctor says you can drink alcohol, stick to government guidelines and drink no more than 14 units a week, with consecutive alcohol-free days each week.

However, the lower your alcohol intake the better. Remember that alcohol is a significant source of calories. Alcohol can worsen the liver damage caused by chronic viral hepatitis, obesity-related liver disease and haemochromatosis.

It can also increase the risk of bone disease and may interfere with a number of commonly prescribed medications. Fad diets are usually weight loss diets that promise you can lose weight quickly.

These diets usually involve crash dieting; calorie intakes may be drastically reduced or certain food groups such as carbohydrates removed almost entirely. These diets tend to provide a short-term fix but are difficult and potentially dangerous to maintain in the longer term.

They are generally not recommended for people with liver disease. However, you cannot physically detox your liver. There is no evidence that toxins build up in the liver and some of these diets can be dangerous for people with liver disease.

Dietary supplements are not an alternative to eating a well-balanced diet. Your body needs a wide range of vitamins and minerals to be able to function correctly, and the best way to ensure an adequate supply of these is to eat a variety of foods.

You should always consult your doctor or dietitian before considering taking supplements. If you are prescribed supplements, you should always take them. A great deal of information is available online and in the media about complementary and alternative treatments for liver disease.

It is important to seek advice from your doctor before considering use of these products. Many are based on herbal preparations which may themselves cause liver damage in susceptible people, so at present healthcare professionals do not believe that they have a place in the management of people with liver disease.

More research is needed on the use of such therapies. As the majority of these products are not classified as medicines they are not licensed. This means that their production is not controlled and there is no requirement for them to undergo rigorous testing for quality or effectiveness.

Milk thistle is an over-the-counter supplement which is advertised as a natural treatment for jaundice, hepatitis, cirrhosis and gallbladder disease.

The active ingredient of milk thistle is silymarin, which is believed to have antioxidant properties. The evidence that milk thistle is an effective treatment for liver disease is conflicting, with no strong evidence to support its use. In addition, it could result in low blood sugar levels.

It might also interfere with the actions of drugs such as diazepam sedative , warfarin anticoagulant and metronidazole antibiotic.

Of particular concern milk thistle might change the way the body processes sirolimus, an immunosuppressant used following liver transplantation. Do not use milk thistle without discussing it with your doctor. This website uses cookies to improve your experience.

Find out more about cookies and how to manage your settings. Diet and Liver Disease The food you eat can have a significant impact on your liver If your liver is healthy a well-balanced diet can reduce your risk of developing some types of liver disease in the future.

You might also need to change the food you eat depending on: the type of liver disease you have the stage of the damage to your liver - people living with cirrhosis have special dietary needs any eating difficulties you experience such as loss of appetite or feeling sick nausea If you have already been given dietary advice you should not make changes without first talking to your consultant or dietitian.

Useful Links Why diet is important when you have liver disease? A well-balanced diet Keeping to a healthy weight Physical activity and exercise Coffee and the liver Looking after yourself - FAQs. Download the publication Diet and Liver Disease Download.

Why diet is important when you have liver disease? Staying nutritionally well If you have a liver condition, there are some special considerations you may need to make in your diet to stay nutritionally well andto help to manage your condition.

Your liver and the food you eat You need food to power your body, giving it energy and the material it needs to grow and repair itself. When you eat food, it is broken down in your stomach and intestine gut and three main nutrients are extracted: carbohydrates fat protein These nutrients are then absorbed into the bloodstream and carried to your liver.

A well-balanced diet You need to get the right balance between different foods and drinks to help your body work properly and be healthy. Keeping to a healthy weight Some liver diseases are linked to build up of fat in the liver.

In its early stages, it may be possible to reverse liver damage. In fact, there are several ways you can help give your liver a rest and prevent permanent damage. Alcohol is a leading factor in liver damage.

During moderate alcohol consumption, enzymes in your liver work to effectively break down alcohol. Alcohol and its byproducts can damage liver cells and lead to an increase in inflammation in your liver.

Alcohol can also inhibit the breakdown of fats, leading to an accumulation of fat in your liver fatty liver. Other potential causes of liver damage include:. The early stages of liver damage may not have any symptoms.

When symptoms are present, they may include:. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to improve the health of your liver or to prevent liver damage from happening in the first place. Excess alcohol consumption can stress your liver and lead to damage.

You can help give your liver a rest by focusing on moderate alcohol consumption or not drinking alcohol at all. Moderate alcohol consumption is defined as two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women.

For example, a standard drink is typically considered to be:. Fatty liver, the earliest type of alcohol-related liver disease ALRD , can potentially be reversed by abstaining from alcohol for 4 to 6 weeks. However, for some individuals with ALRD, this abstinence period may need to be longer or permanent.

Prolonged abuse of alcohol can lead to continuing liver damage, which can eventually result in cirrhosis. Some types of medications and supplements can place an extra strain on your liver. Some examples of these include:. If you do take them, carefully follow all dosing instructions and avoid taking them in combination with alcohol.

Having obesity can increase your risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease NAFLD , a condition where excess fat builds up in your liver. One way to help lower your risk of NAFLD is to focus on maintaining a healthy weight. Some of the best strategies for losing excess weight or maintaining a healthy weight include:.

If you have NAFLD, your doctor can work with you to help ease the strain on your liver. This typically involves a gradual weight loss program along with dietary changes.

Another way you can help give your liver a rest is by eating a liver-friendly diet. This includes:. Certain types of liver conditions may require more specific dietary adjustments.

Be sure to discuss what these may be with your doctor. Viral hepatitis can cause inflammation of your liver, which in turn can lead to liver damage. Some examples of these infections include hepatitis A , hepatitis B , and hepatitis C.

Hepatitis A is self-limiting, meaning that it typically resolves on its own. However, a hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection can potentially become chronic, leading to additional liver damage over time. Seeing your doctor on a regular basis is important for your overall health.

Your doctor can help identify and treat any underlying health conditions early on, before they become more serious or complicated.

Also, if you notice any early signs of liver damage, be sure to make an appointment with your doctor or healthcare provider. They can help evaluate your condition and outline a treatment plan to ensure your liver gets the rest and treatment it needs. It does this by making the existing liver cells hepatocytes enlarge.

Liver regeneration can be impacted by chronic liver disease. This means that chronic liver conditions can hinder regeneration due to the presence of scarring and chronic inflammation.

Because of this, liver regeneration in the context of chronic liver disease is an area of ongoing study. Your liver is an essential organ that serves many purposes in your body, including detoxification, digestion, and nutrient storage. Various factors can place stress on your liver, potentially leading to damage that can affect its ability to function effectively.

This includes drinking alcohol in moderation or not at all, monitoring your medications and supplements, and maintaining a healthy weight. The sooner a liver condition can be diagnosed and treated, the higher the chance of a positive outcome.

Taking a liver supplement may be tempting, particularly when hearing the claims of supplement manufacturers. However, is it really necessary to….

Liver cleanses are said to boost your digestive health, but they can actually do more harm than good. Here's how to get the benefits without the risk…. The early stages of alcohol-related liver disease often have no symptoms.

Fatty liver disease is best managed with lifestyle changes.