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.
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. If patients do not tolerate a low calorie diet, alternatives such as Nuvista® or omega-3 fatty acids should be considered.
How do you make your liver shrink for bariatric surgery? The good news is that intentional shrinkage of the liver can be controlled by consistently following a low-carbohydrate, low-calorie diet. Most bariatric surgery centers will advise new patients to follow an 800 calorie, Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD).
Aerobic exercise can actually cut the amount of fat in your liver. A heavy workout may also lower inflammation. Resistance or strength training exercises, like weight lifting, can also improve fatty liver disease.
With each ounce of glycogen your body stores three to four ounces of water². When you follow a very strict diet that is low in starch and sugars your body loses its glycogen stores and some water resulting in your liver shrinking.
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.
Fasting resulted in a significantly reduced liver mass but only had a minimal effect on bodyweight. The effects on the liver by 30 days of fasting were not reversed by subsequent ad libitum refeeding for 30 days.
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.
Why cheating on your pre-op diet is a bad idea: Your surgeon will know within minutes if you cheated because they will be able to see food in your stomach and/or intestinal tract (this can lead to infections) Your liver won't shrink enough to have surgery and will make it more difficult for the surgeon.
Typically, you only have to remain on the diet for 7 to 14 days before your surgery. The liver shrinking diet is unlike any diet you might have tried before.
Fill your fruit basket with apples, grapes and citrus fruits like oranges and lemons, which are proven to be liver-friendly fruits. Consume grapes as it is, in the form of a grape juice or supplement your diet with grape seed extracts to increase antioxidant levels in your body and protect your liver from toxins.
Cruciferous veges
Veges such as broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, cabbage and kale contain glutathione, which kickstarts the liver's toxin cleansing enzymes of the liver. Eating them will increase production of glucosinolate in your system, which helps flush out carcinogens and other toxins.
Liver Shrinking Diet Particulars
The recommended carbohydrate intake is between 40 to 50 grams a day.
Background: Weight loss was shown to be associated with improvements in liver enzymes and improvements of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. However, some evidence also shows that liver enzymes may transiently increase immediately after a dietary-induced weight loss.
This diet is designed to give you approximately 100g of carbohydrate per day. It is low in fat (although how low will depend on the foods you chose) and moderate in protein. The energy value of the diet is between 800-1000kcal per day.
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).
On the other hand, skipping morning and midday meals as well as eating late night/early morning meals are potentially harmful. Participants who did not have any meals from 4 to 10 am and 10 am to 4 pm were at 20 and 73 percent higher odds of developing fatty liver, respectively.
As part of your preparation for surgery, your surgeon feels it would be beneficial for you to follow a diet very low in calories, carbohydrates (bread, pasta, rice etc.) and fat for 2-3 weeks prior to your operation. This is known as the Liver Reduction Diet or LRD.
Many citrus fruits, including lemon, can be added to water to help stimulate and flush out the liver. To help improve liver function, enjoy 4-6 tablespoons of lemon juice mixed with water each day.
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.
Limit the amount of alcohol you drink. Eat a well-balanced diet every day. That's five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables, along with fiber from vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. Be sure to include protein for the enzymes that help your body detox naturally.