What is the liver shrinkage diet? This is a diet low in fat, sugar and carbohydrates. The diet helps reduce the size of the liver by reducing glycogen stores (glycogen is a form of sugar stored in the liver and muscles for energy).
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.
A strict 900kcals diet that is low in dietary carbohydrate and fat will encourage your body to use up glycogen (carbohydrate that is stored in the liver) and fat stores, thus helping to shrink the size of the liver. A very low calorie diet (VLCD) is designed to completely replace usual food intake.
Liver shrinkage diet (LRD) is a diet based on low energy (calories), in particular low in carbohydrate and fat. By following a liver shrinkage diet, your body will be forced to use up the stored carbohydrate (glycogen) from the liver.
Depending on your circumstance, your bariatric surgeon may require that you participate in a low-calorie preoperative liver shrink diet, lasting anywhere from five days to two weeks, several weeks prior to surgery.
Using this diet, you should be able to lose 5 – 10 pounds during the two weeks leading up to your operation.
This study demonstrates that an LCD is effective in reducing liver volume and weight. It is recommended that an LCD provides 800–1200 kcal per day and that it lasts for 2 to 4 weeks.
On any diet, it's important to get your food in to keep your metabolism moving. A snack on the liver shrinking diet might be ow fat jerky, tuna, deli meat, string cheese, collage cheese or a light yogurt. Carrots or an apple is also welcomed!
Eat a balanced diet and limit foods that are high in sugar and fat. If you're overweight, ask your doctor or a nutritionist about the best way for you to lose weight. Quit smoking. Ask your doctor about strategies to help you quit.
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.
If your enlarged liver is the result of an acute condition, treating the condition will allow your liver to heal. If it's the result of chronic liver disease, it can potentially be reversed and in some cases cured with lifestyle changes. For example: If you have alcohol use disorder, get help to quit drinking alcohol.
The recommended carbohydrate intake is between 40 to 50 grams a day. Which Foods are High In Carbohydrates? The foods highest in carbs are high in starch or sugar. This includes anything made with flour or sugar, grains, foods with added sugar, and starchy vegetables such as potatoes and corn.
CITRUS FRUITS – Lemons and limes contain citric acid, potassium, vitamin C, and bioflavonoids. These nutrients help improve energy levels, enhance liver detoxification, and reduce inflammation.
It's wise to limit foods and beverages that can harm the liver when consumed in excess, such as alcohol and foods with a lot of sugar and saturated fat. That means cutting back on deep-fried food, fatty meats, and sugar-sweetened beverages.
You cannot eat solid food. You must have the following every day: 4 pints (2 litres) of semi skimmed cow's milk, lactose free milk or soya original.
Regular exercise is key to a healthy liver. Exercise decreases stress on the liver, increases energy levels and helps to prevent obesity – a risk factor for liver disease. Aim for a total of 150 minutes of exercise, such as brisk walking or swimming per week.
Lunch: A slice of bread or two crisp breads, salad (without dressing), tomatoes and a small portion of meat, fish, cheese or two eggs. Dinner: A small potato or two tablespoons of pasta or rice with vegetables and a small portion of meat, fish, cheese, eggs, quorn or tofu.
Instead, your diet will primarily consist of lean proteins like low-fat Greek yogurt or tuna and non-starchy carbs like broccoli, apples, or rolled oats. Alcohol, sugary drinks, and full-fat dairy are strictly prohibited.
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.
A good goal is to lose 10% of your total body weight, but even a loss of 3% to 5% can improve your liver health. Talk with your doctor about the best way for you to lose weight safely and effectively.