What foods should not be eaten with liver disease?

Generally, patients with liver disease need to manage their diet and medication use carefully. Fried chicken, white spirits (baijiu), pork belly, high-sugar cakes, and preserved pork should not be consumed. Medication use should strictly follow medical advice; self-administration of paracetamol tablets, ketoconazole capsules, isoniazid tablets, simvastatin tablets, methotrexate tablets, and similar drugs is not recommended. Detailed explanations are as follows:

I. Food

1. Fried Chicken

Fried chicken contains large amounts of fat. Patients with liver disease have weakened liver capacity to metabolize fats. Consumption can easily lead to fat accumulation within liver cells, worsening fatty liver disease or triggering fatty hepatitis, further damaging liver cells and impairing liver function recovery. Therefore, fried chicken is not recommended.

2. White Spirits (Baijiu)

White spirits contain high concentrations of alcohol, which is primarily metabolized in the liver. Its metabolite acetaldehyde can directly damage liver cells, causing liver cell degeneration and necrosis, worsening conditions such as hepatitis and cirrhosis, and even inducing liver failure. Therefore, patients with liver disease must strictly avoid consuming white spirits.

3. Pork Belly

Pork belly has a high fat content, especially saturated fat. Consuming it increases the burden on the liver's fat metabolism in patients with liver disease, potentially leading to elevated blood lipids and fat accumulation in liver cells, worsening liver damage. Therefore, pork belly should be avoided.

4. High-sugar Cakes

High-sugar cakes contain large amounts of added sugar. Excess sugar in the body converts to fat, increasing fat synthesis in the liver and worsening fatty liver disease. Additionally, a high-sugar diet may induce insulin resistance, indirectly affecting liver metabolism and impairing liver function stability. Therefore, high-sugar cakes are not recommended.

5. Preserved/Cured Pork

Preserved pork contains high levels of salt and may also contain nitrites. Patients with liver disease have reduced detoxification capacity in the liver, and nitrites may convert into carcinogens in the body, increasing the liver's detoxification burden. A high-salt diet may also induce or worsen ascites and edema in patients with cirrhosis. Therefore, preserved pork is not recommended.

II. Medications

1. Paracetamol Tablets

Paracetamol is generally safe at standard doses for fever and pain relief. However, excessive intake can lead to severe liver cell damage from its metabolites, causing drug-induced hepatitis and even liver failure. Patients with liver disease have lower liver tolerance and are more susceptible to damage, so excessive self-administration is not recommended.

2. Ketoconazole Capsules

This is an antifungal medication with known hepatotoxicity. Patients with liver disease may experience further deterioration of liver function after taking it, potentially developing jaundice and elevated transaminase levels. It should only be used under strict medical monitoring of liver function, and self-administration is not recommended.

3. Isoniazid Tablets

Commonly used for anti-tuberculosis treatment, its metabolites may damage liver cells. Patients with liver disease have an increased risk of drug-induced hepatitis after taking it. The decision to use this medication should be made by a physician weighing the benefits and risks, with regular monitoring of liver function. Self-administration is not recommended.

4. Simvastatin Tablets

This is a lipid-lowering medication. High doses or improper dose adjustments without considering liver function may cause liver injury, leading to elevated transaminase levels. Patients with liver disease should start with low doses under medical guidance and undergo regular liver function monitoring. Self-administration or dose adjustments are not recommended.

5. Methotrexate Tablets

This is an immunosuppressant. Long-term or high-dose use can damage liver cells, possibly leading to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Liver disease patients face a higher risk of liver damage when using this medication. It should be used under strict medical supervision, and self-administration is not recommended.

In daily life, patients should maintain a low-fat, low-sugar, low-salt, high-protein diet, keep a regular routine, and avoid staying up late or overexertion. Patients should inform their doctors of their medical history before taking any medication and undergo regular liver function monitoring. If symptoms such as fatigue or jaundice occur, prompt medical attention is necessary. Strict adherence to medical instructions for treatment is essential; self-adjustment of diet or medication should be avoided.