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Nutrition and daily life

Leukemia and liver disease: protecting the liver

The liver breaks down many chemotherapy drugs, antifungals and other medicines. With hepatitis, fatty liver or cirrhosis, doses and eating are planned with special care. This section explains how eating can help protect the liver.

Last updated: ~1 min read
Yogurt and toast on a nightstand.
Figure 1.An evening snack — Leukemia and liver disease: protecting the liver

01Short answer

Avoid alcohol completely. Avoid herbal supplements, high-dose vitamins (especially vitamin A) and "liver cleanse" products; some damage the liver. Get enough protein; in cirrhosis cutting protein is usually not needed. Small, frequent meals and a light evening snack help prevent muscle loss. With swelling or ascites, salt may be limited. If you carry hepatitis B or C, your team will monitor it closely during treatment. Report yellow skin, dark urine, a swelling belly or confusion at once.

02Simple explanation

No alcohol.

No herbal supplements.

Enough protein.

An evening snack.

03Scientific explanation

NIDDK: malnutrition is common in cirrhosis; enough energy and protein, no alcohol and limited salt are advised.

ESPEN: enough energy and protein matter for preventing weight and muscle loss in people with cancer, and nutritional status should be assessed regularly.

NCI: practical eating tips exist for treatment side effects such as nausea, taste changes and mouth sores.

04What happens in the body?

Medicines

The daily paracetamol dose may be lowered in liver disease; ask your doctor.

Wine and herbal pills in shadow.
Figure 2.Alcohol and herbs aside.

Food safety

In liver disease raw shellfish is especially dangerous.

Eggs, lentils and chicken.
Figure 3.Protein — Leukemia and liver disease: protecting the liver

Dietitian

If you are losing weight, have no appetite or need a special diet, ask to see the hospital dietitian.

Food safety

Food-safety rules for neutropenia (see “Handwashing: the simplest protection” and “Eggs and dairy: safe choices”) apply at every stage.

05Nutrition: four steps

Assess, swap the risky, cook safely, eat regularly.

Assess — Weight and appetite.1AssessWeight and appetite.
Swap — A safe choice.2SwapA safe choice.
Cook — Hot throughout.3CookHot throughout.
Eat regularly — Small portions.4Eat regularlySmall portions.
StrengthEnergy.
ProteinFor muscle.
SafetyFood rules.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
MedicinesThe daily paracetamol dose may be lowered in liver disease; ask your doctor.
Food safetyIn liver disease raw shellfish is especially dangerous.
DietitianIf you are losing weight, have no appetite or need a special diet, ask to see the hospital dietitian.
Food safetyFood-safety rules for neutropenia (see “Handwashing: the simplest protection” and “Eggs and dairy: safe choices”) apply at every stage.

07Key terms

Cirrhosis
Scarring of the liver.
Ascites
Fluid build-up in the belly.
Dietitian
A nutrition specialist.
Protein
A nutrient for repairing muscles and tissues.
Neutropenia
Low neutrophils.

08Key points

  • No alcohol.
  • Avoid supplements.
  • Protein and an evening snack.
  • A diet is not a treatment.
  • Talk to a dietitian.

09Frequently asked questions

Should I drink a "liver" tea?

No; some can harm the liver.

Is coffee OK?

Usually in moderation; ask your team.

Can a special diet cure leukemia?

No. Good nutrition helps you cope with treatment, but it does not cure.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. Should I drink a "liver" tea?

  2. Is coffee OK?

  3. Can a special diet cure leukemia?

My questions

12Sources

  1. NIDDK. Eating, Diet & Nutrition for Cirrhosis
  2. National Cancer Institute. Eating Hints: Before, During, and After Cancer Treatment
  3. ESPEN. ESPEN practical guideline: Clinical Nutrition in cancer (2021)
  4. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Food and Nutrition
  5. World Health Organization. Healthy diet fact sheet
  6. World Health Organization (WHO). Guideline: Sugars intake for adults and children (2015)
  7. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health — The Nutrition Source. Whole Grains
  8. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health — The Nutrition Source. Added Sugar
  9. British Dietetic Association. Wholegrains: Food Fact Sheet
  10. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Added Sugars on the Nutrition Facts Label
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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