While poor nutrition is rarely a cause of liver disease, good nutrition in the form of a balanced diet, may help liver cells damaged by hepatitis viruses to regenerate, forming new liver cells.
Nutrition can be an essential part of treatment.
Many chronic liver diseases are associated with malnutrition. A goal of treatment is to provide sufficient calories and protein. This causes a build up of toxins that can interfere with brain function. Vegetable and dairy protein may be tolerated better than meat protein. Medications, such as lactulose and neomycin, may be used to help control hepatic encephalopathy.