Protein diet to reduce an enlarged liver: does it really work?

Enlarged liver: warning, danger

Hepatomegaly: symptoms

The term hepatomegaly means enlargement of the liver. The body’s biggest internal organ, the liver is made up several lobes and can thus expand in a homogeneous or heterogeneous way. In either case, hepatomegaly normally manifests in various symptoms:

• discomfort in the abdomen and sometimes bloating;
• sensitivity of the organ to touch;
• dark-coloured urine;
• nausea;
• weight loss and lack of appetite;

Hepatomegaly: causes

Hepatomegaly can have a number of causes: hepatic steatosis (fatty liver) (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), liver inflammation (viral, drug-induced or non- viral), a tumour in the liver, heart failure, a disease of the immune system, excess iron, etc. (1)

That’s why in all cases of hepatomegaly, it’s important to consult a doctor so that further investigations can be carried out and an accurate diagnosis made.

A protein diet to reduce an enlarged liver

Protein diet, the liver and weight loss

One cause of hepatomegaly is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) related to metabolic syndrome. Here, fatty liver disease is caused by excess weight or obesity, in a similar way to the geese force-fed to produce the famous foie gras of south-west France.

In this context, a a diet aimed at weight loss is one of the first recommendations for reducing an enlarged liver (2).

And a high-protein diet can, to some extent, be the right approach for achieving weight loss (though it’s not without risk, as we’ll see later). A diet such as this allows you to consume a relatively large amount of food (animal protein) with a low calorie density, satisfying your hunger without ingesting too many calories.

Generally speaking, however, what causes so many problems for liver health is an unhealthy diet high in saturated fats and simple sugars, coupled with a sedentary lifestyle. Thus a balanced diet containing healthy fats, pulses and wholegrains, lean protein, and plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, is still the best solution (3).

Protein diet for reducing an enlarged liver: dangers

This is because, as mentioned, high-protein diets are not without risk. For some years now, health authorities have been warning about the risks this type of diet poses to the kidneys: too much protein in the diet can, for example, lead to hypercalciuria (excess excretion of calcium in the urine due to continuous filtering of the blood to eliminate protein breakdown products).

In fact, protein upsets the body’s acid-base balance by making it more acid. You therefore need to take great care to ensure you eat large amounts of fresh fruit and vegetables and to stay well-hydrated to prevent protein-related kidney damage.

What’s more, a high-protein diet has been shown in other studies to lead to increases in liver triglycerides and markers of alcoholic fatty liver disease.

The reason for this is quite simply the liver’s key role in protein metabolism. Once protein from food has been broken down into amino acids in the gut, the liver uses these amino acids to make protein for the body.

Any excess amino acids can then be directed towards the muscles or converted into urea and excreted in urine. In addition, some protein is converted during digestion into ammonia, a toxin which needs to be detoxified by the liver (4).

And that’s where the problem lies: over-consumption of protein means the liver has to work hard to process a an excessive amount of ammonia, which causes inflammation.

So we can see that a protein diet is not such a great idea for reducing an enlarged liver!

Answers to your liver detox questions

Worst foods for the liver

The liver plays a key role in metabolising fats and sugars. Certain foods can therefore aggravate liver problems and should be avoided. These include foods high in saturated fats and added sugars, such as fried foods, ready-meals and sugary drinks.

3-day natural liver-cleanse

There are a number of methods which it’s claimed can cleanse the liver in just a few days. But it’s important to understand that the liver is a complex organ which takes time to regenerate. Three-day diets or liver-cleansing methods can thus be ineffective and even dangerous.

How long does it take to detox the liver?

The amount of time needed to cleanse the liver depends on the severity of the problem and the organ’s ability to regenerate. It’s best to consult a health professional who can assess the condition of your liver and provide personalised advice.

Natural liver detox

You can support the health of your liver by adopting a healthy lifestyle. This means eating a balanced diet, with plenty of fruit, vegetables and wholegrains, and staying well-hydrated. In addition, certain foods such as garlic (5), turmeric (6) and grapefruit are considered beneficial for liver health.

Cleansing the liver: risks

It should be noted that some liver-cleansing methods, including extreme diets or the use of detox products without medical supervision, can put your health at risk. It’s important to seek safe options only and to consult a health professional before undergoing any kind of liver detox.

Pharmacy drugs for cleansing the liver

There is no specific medication available at pharmacies for cleansing the liver. Certain drugs may be prescribed for specific liver conditions but they must be taken under medical supervision and should not be used for the purpose of detoxing the liver.

How to clear fat from the liver naturally

To eliminate fat from the liver naturally, you need to take a holistic approach. This involves changing your diet to reduce your intake of saturated fat and added sugars, and increasing your level of regular exercise. Gradual, sustained weight loss can help to reduce accumulated fat in the liver.

Liver dysfunction and weight gain

It’s important to note that liver problems can lead to weight gain and make it difficult to lose weight. Liver dysfunction can upset the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates, which can result in weight gain.

Side-effects of a liver detox

Some people may experience side-effects when they undertake a liver detox, including headaches, fatigue, nausea and changes in bowel habits. If you experience persistent or serious side-effects, you should seek advice from a health professional.

Natural and traditional home remedies for the liver

As is so often the case, ‘grandma knows best’ is a useful principle to apply when it comes to caring for the liver naturally.

Traditional home remedies include:

Artichoke

This contains cynarin, a polyphenolic compound of caffeic and quinic acids, which supports good digestion and liver function by stimulating the production of bile. Indeed, artichoke has long been used in the form of infusions for treating digestive disorders (7).

Milk thistle

Known botanically as Silybum marianum, milk thistle contains silymarin, a powerful group of flavonoids now used as a phytotherapeutic treatment for liver problems and dyspepsia. Silymarin is also a potent blend of antioxidants widely-studied for its potential anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties (8).

Picrorhiza Kurroa

Here, we’re looking less to our grandmas and more to the East with the inspiration provided by Ayurvedic medicine. A medicinal plant native to the Himalayas, picrorhiza kurroa also helps to support healthy liver function (9).

Chlorella

A single-celled algae, chlorella is found in many freshwater locations across the world and was identified at the end of the 19^th century by a Dutch botanist. With a high content of healthy fats, protein, chlorophyll, vitamins, minerals and specific pigments, chlorella also supports liver health (10).

For an effective detox then, the best approach is to eat a healthy, balanced diet, stay well-hydrated and perhaps support the health of your liver by drinking herbal teas made from traditional medicinal plants or taking dietary supplements that contain these plants’ active ingredients (such as Liver Support Formula).