The liver shrinking diet is an eating plan low in dietary carbohydrate and fat that will encourage your body to use up glycogen (a form of sugar that is stored in the liver and muscles for energy) and fat stores to help shrink the size of your liver.
It is a low-carbohydrate diet that reduces glycogen (energy stored in the liver), water and fat in the liver. The diet consists of proteins such as beef, pork, eggs, seafood or chicken, and non-starchy carbohydrates including foods like broccoli, cauliflower, leafy green vegetables.
The liver shrinking diet is a low-calorie, low-fat, low-carb restrictive diet that reduces glycogen, water, and fatty deposits in the liver to make it smaller.
How long it takes to reverse fatty liver disease may depend on the cause. If your fatty liver is because of alcohol, you may be able to reverse the effects in about 2 weeks. If you have NAFLD, it will depend on how quickly you lose weight. But remember, be careful not to lose weight too quickly.
Using this diet, you should be able to lose 5 – 10 pounds during the two weeks leading up to your operation.
Median excess weight loss (EWL) was 15.1 [9.6-21.1]%. Baseline liver volume and fat content were related (r=0.633, P=0.005). After 6 weeks Optifast VLCD, there was a 14.7% reduction in mean liver volume (P<0.001) and a 43% reduction in mean liver fat (P=0.016).
Can You Drink Coffee on the Liver Shrinking Diet? Yes, you can have black coffee, usually decaffeinated. If you like a little coffee with your creamer, you may want to just skip the coffee during the liver-reducing diet.
Lemon water can also benefit your liver health. Studies have observed that the liver produces more enzymes in the presence of lemon when compared to other food items. Enzymes are essential to stimulate, accelerate, and catalyze various chemical reactions in the human body.
It's important to remember that you cannot shrink your liver in 24 hours. However, there are things you can do to jumpstart the process. First, cut out all alcohol and sugary drinks from your diet.
Although there aren't any medications to treat NAFLD, a good diet and regular exercise can reverse it. Losing 10% of your current weight can dramatically decrease the amount of fat in the liver as well as reduce inflammation.
Fried/fast foods that are high in fat and sugar are extremely harmful for liver health. In addition, consumption of high-salt foods can lead to fluid-buildup and swelling in the liver.
Common causes include excessive drinking of alcohol, hepatitis B and C virus infections, and fatty liver that's caused by obesity and diabetes. Drinking alcohol if you already have another condition that causes liver damage can increase your risk of cirrhosis.
The liver is part of the body's natural detoxification system, which helps filter out toxins. Foods that support liver health include berries, cruciferous vegetables, beans, whole grains, nuts, and fatty fish. Coffee and green tea contain antioxidants that are helpful for liver health.
You will experience physical signs your liver is healing, such as healthier-looking skin and eyes, increased energy levels, and reduced stomach pain and swelling. Other signs your liver is healing include: Improved amino-acid regulation – Your liver processes proteins and amino acids that your body cannot store.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Incredible detoxification actions of ACV work to flush out the harmful toxins from the liver that hinders its normal functions. Studies discloses that regular intake of ACV promotes weight loss, diminishes cholesterol levels, lessen inflammation, and uplift the overall health of the liver.
Coffee is one of the best beverages you can drink to promote liver health. Studies have shown that drinking coffee protects the liver from disease, even among those who already have problems with this organ.
However, low calorie diet is the preferable method to reduce liver volume, considering the level of evidence and practical applicability. On average, low calorie diets reduce liver size by 2.4 % per week; therefore, we would recommend a low calorie diet of at least 4 weeks prior to surgery.
1-2 Weeks Pre-Operation
Some may prescribe the sole use of protein meal replacement shakes, while other may allow the addition of low-starch vegetables, such as asparagus or broccoli. Ideal pre-op drink plans include gastric sleeve protein shakes. It should be a low-carb, low-sugar protein meal replacement shake.
If you do break from the pre-operative diet plan, your liver will not shrink enough to make surgery safe and simple. Your bariatric surgeon would know within minutes if you cheated. During surgery, the laparoscopic camera can pick up food you may have eaten. The food could be in your stomach or intestinal tract.