My diet for a healthy liver came from my doctor and a nutritionist
With liver disease, I quickly discovered there's no magical cure or cleanse
If you’re like me, there’s no shortage of well-meaning folks who, upon hearing that we’re sick, are eager to help. Perhaps they’ll turn to “Dr. Google” or a friend of a friend of a friend for suggestions.
I was diagnosed with metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), so I’ve had plenty of information sent my way about more than a few “liver cleanses.” My doctors scoff at these so-called cleanses, which largely aren’t approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. I simply tell people that they’re both unnecessary and probably ineffective for someone like me.
I’ll admit, magazine proclamations of “amazing liver cleanses” occasionally jump out at me in the grocery store checkout line. They’ll tell me to suck down various juices that’ll allegedly scrub that little liver of mine until it shines, or something like that. Just ask my liver, which I’ve nicknamed Larry, if he’s into juice cleanses. “Heck no!” he’ll tell you.
There are better ways to help an ailing liver when MASH is on the table, starting with eating a healthy diet. Many things can affect the liver’s ability to heal itself, and with fatty liver disease, eating a diet of fried foods, lots of sugar, and too much red meat can be highly detrimental to liver health.
A lot of people have jumped on the bandwagon of various diets over the years to improve liver function. Sadly, I suspect, many of these diets were designed by people who don’t have a malfunctioning liver. There’s no such thing as a “magical cure,” which is why I tell anyone with this disease to listen to their doctors.
For example, if you’re attempting to lose weight, which is actually good for your liver, ask your doctor to refer you to a professional dietitian who can help you design a healthy meal plan that works for you. That’s what I’ve done, and I’m quite pleased with the results.
At 5 feet, 4 inches, I’m not a tall woman. At my largest, I weighed 365 pounds, which literally weighed me down. It also played a huge role in my diagnosis. I was on the road to diabetes, high blood pressure, and who knows what else. After years of “eating my feelings,” I got the feeling I wasn’t helping myself this way. Then I got great advice from my doctor, who referred me to a wonderful dietitian who helped me figure out what foods I could still eat and which ones should go.
I wish there were a magician out there who could wave his magic wand over my liver and make it healthy. But I’ve found that my doctor can perform miracles by prescribing me the right medicine to help my liver clean itself when I eat the right foods.
I’ll admit, I’ve since come to love vegetables. I roast them in my oven with a little bit of olive oil and salt and pepper. I also find ways to incorporate fruits and veggies into my everyday life. It’s been such a positive change. Today, my weight is under control, and while I’d like to lose a few more pounds, at least I know I’m doing some things right. And nobody appreciates that more than Larry.
Note: Liver Disease News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Liver Disease News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to liver disease.
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