Nutritional Therapy for a Patient With Cirrhosis of the Liver

Cirrhosis involves scarring of liver tissue and can lead to permanent liver damage and a higher risk of liver cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic. People suffering from cirrhosis should limit their intake of potentially liver-damaging substances, such as alcohol and some medications, and eat a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, according to the Mayo Clinic. Medicinal mushrooms can also be added to the diet that have been found to have a profound effect on liver function and may help people with cirrhosis.

Quercetin

Quercetin is a phytochemical (plant based chemical) present in many fresh fruits and vegetables and has been found to have a strong protective effect of the liver. In a study published in the journal Digestive Diseases and Sciences in April, 2003 by Amalia Pavanato and a team of researchers, quercetin was tested on rats with chemically induced cirrhosis. The study found that quercetin improved various functions of the liver and reducde the buildup of collagen tissue. Buy quercetin as a nutritional supplement, or consume it naturally in apples, onions, tea, leafy green vegetables and many berries, according to the American Cancer Society.

Antioxidants

One of the common complications of cirrhosis is vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels) in the body due to impaired liver function. In a study published in the journal Critical Care Medicine in 2005 by Lippincott, Hagerstown, M.D., several antioxidants, including vitamin C, were administered to patients suffering from alcoholic cirrhosis with impaired vasoconstrictor responsiveness. The study found that antioxidants play an important role in restoring normal blood vessel function. Antioxidants are found in high quantities in many fresh fruits and vegetables as well as teas and spices. Adding antioxidant-rich foods may be an important part of a nutritional approach to treating cirrhosis.

Mushrooms

Mushrooms such as shiitake have been part of traditional Asian diets for centuries and have recently been studied by the scientific community for their medicinal properties. A study published in the Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin in 2004 by Soichiro Akamatsu and a team of Japanese researchers examined the effect of shiitake mushroom extract on mice with chemically induced liver fibroids. The researchers found that the shiitake extract inhibited the formation of collagen and produced hepatoprotective effects on liver function. Shiitake mushrooms can be found at most health food stores in the produce section as well as in supplement form.