Body fat, body weight and diet
Liver abnormalities are more common in people who are overweight. This is usually defined as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) that is over 25.
These may include fatty deposits found in the liver and fatty inflammation or fatty liver. This is more common in people who have diabetes.
Fat in the liver can cause it to become enlarged and can lead to raised liver enzymes.
People who are overweight and who have a fatty liver, and who subsequently reduce their weight, are likely to have an improvement in fat-related liver abnormalities.
Loosing weight increases the chance of a better response to HCV treatment.
If you do find it hard to maintain lower weight, ask to see a dietician for specialist advice.
Diet
A healthy and balanced diet is important for general good health. With advanced liver disease, avoiding or reducing certain foods may become more important.
This includes avoiding or reducing:
- Fried foods
- Fatty foods especially saturated and hydrogenated fats
- Very high protein diets
- Foods with high iron content
- Processed food and fast food
- Caffeine in coffee, tea and some carbonated drinks
- Salt, especially with advanced liver disease (people with ascites are recommend to use less than 500mg/day).
- Foods containing additives and pesticides.
- Iron supplements (unless advised by your doctor).
- Protein – guidelines for daily protein consumption for those with liver disease recommend 1 to 1.5 grams of protein per kilogram of body-weight.
- Sugar levels – a link between HCV and risk of diabetes may be improved by reducing processed sugars and keeping sugar levels more constant byswitching from white bread and pasta, that quickly raise blood sugar levels, to whole wheat bread and pasta.
Glossary
BMI (Body Mass Index) a calculation using someone’s height and weight that is used to determine if they are over or under weight