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Taking Steps to Slow Disease Progression Certain substances (like alcohol) or infections (like hepatitis) can keep the liver from functioning correctly. Such substances or infections can scar or even kill liver cells and can lead to a condition called cirrhosis. By taking two important steps — avoiding alcohol and eating well — you may prevent damage in remaining healthy liver cells. Step 1: Avoid alcohol Your liver acts as a filter for harmful chemicals in your body. When you drink alcohol, the liver treats it as a toxic substance and works to filter it out. In a person with hepatitis, alcohol significantly increases damage to the liver. You will need to stop drinking alcoholic beverages altogether so that your liver will have a chance to heal and to grow new cells. All types of alcohol, including beer, wine, cocktails, and champagne, can damage your liver, and should be avoided. Also, remember that alcohol adds calories to your diet and may decrease your appetite, leaving less room for the protein-rich foods that your liver needs for healing.
Step 2: Follow your doctor's advice on nutrition If you have cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) as a result of hepatitis, you may begin to experience loss of appetite. People with cirrhosis must pay special attention to meeting their daily nutritional needs so that they can keep up their energy levels and avoid losing weight.
The Right Amount of Protein If you don't eat enough protein-rich foods, your body, which still requires protein, may take it from your muscles, causing a feeling of weakness. However, a complication of cirrhosis known as hepatic encephalopathy (mental confusion) can result from taking in too much protein. This occurs when the amount of protein in your diet exceeds the liver's ability to use the protein. Be sure to check with your doctor regarding your specific protein needs. Because your body requires protein to function, never limit your protein intake without first seeking your doctor's advice. Daily Calorie Needs In addition to paying attention to the amount of protein in your diet, you should be sure to maintain your calorie needs. The total number of daily calories in your diet should equal a minimum of 15 calories a day for each pound you weigh. Salt Intake and Fluid Buildup Among its many effects, cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) disturbs the regulation of salt and water in your body. This may cause ascites, which is the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen. Fluid may also build up in other parts of the body, such as the ankles or chest, causing swelling. One way to reduce fluid buildup is to maintain a low-salt diet. Salt acts like a sponge — when your body retains salt, it also retains fluid. For this reason, it is important to limit salt in your diet to below 2,000 milligrams a day. Tips for limiting salt include:
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