High Protein Diet bad for the Liver?

  • I had high LFTs in a previous blood test and pains in my lower right abdominal areas for a while. Ive been dieting and avoiding alcohol. But i do not want to lose any muscle mass. I am by no means overweight at all. I'm young, lean and very fit actually but ever since I got on the diet I lost 7 lbs. I was Wondering if a Diet consisting of High Protein is bad for the liver. I would like to increase my protein intake but worries it might harm the liver. The diet I'm on would mean all the protein, I can get is from a fish and Soybean Milk. Also is whey protein powder safe for the liver? Anyhelp would be appreciated.
  • Think Balance
    Think Balance.

    If you are having blood tests that are not the normal range, you need to be talking to your medical health care professional and asking them the questions.

    Is there a reason why you want to eat nothing but meat? Are you trying to build muscle? If you do, there are other websites like www.bodybuilder.com that you can access that can lead to doing that without ruining your health.

    There may be other reasons why you had a bad reading with your liver. Your diet is but one possible cause. If you are eating predominantly a fast food restaurant type food plan, see Super Size Me, you can eventually get liver problems but it can be reversed once you stop eating there so frequently.

    Gall bladder disease can affect your liver. It did mine.

    Consuming large quantities of alcohol can too.

    Contracting Hepatitis can as other liver diseases.

    Talk to your doctor or the ones who drew your blood and ask them. Ask for suggestions on what you need to do to get back in the normal range.
  • I have never HEARD that high protein diets are hard on the liver. The kidneys, yes, but not the liver.

    If you are lifting weights to build muscle, you do need more protein than normal. A good book on lifting,diet,etc. is Bill Phillips book, Body For Life.
  • Eating nothing but meat is not healthy for any organ in your body. This will not build muscle, it will ruin your kidneys. Why the extreme diet? Why the concern only with the liver? All that protein - and fat - is also bad for the kidneys and heart. You need some carbs for energy.
  • I need energy, but I don't want to eat a lot of extra carbs because I'm watching my weight too.
  • Protein is metabolized in the liver. If that's all you are eating, you are creating a lot of work for your liver and then for your kidneys.

    Carbohydrates aren't evil and aren't the sole cause of weight issues.
  • As a liver patient myself that sees a hepatologist every 3 months, I was placed on a high protein diet to aide in wt. loss. Even after reaching my goal on Atkins, I am now on South Beach per my physicians instruction. My LFT's are down 10 fold since losing weight.

    Disclaimer, this is not meant to be taken as medical advice. This is my own personal experience.
  • Thanks for your all replies.
  • Too much protein can be a big problem.

    The companies and interests who sell animal protein (meat, fish, cheese, eggs, chicken, etc.) have for many years disseminated cultural propaganda which raise the amount of protein “you need” by 30%, which of course creates a multi-billion dollar industry which also consumes more than 33% of the fresh water in the United States and leaves behind billions of pounds of animal waste and human disease in its wake.
  • ^^Plant proteins are healthier for you because most of them contain fiber and protein, so they will keep you fuller for longer.

    You say you don't want to eat carbs, but as long as they are high fiber & whole grain, they will keep you fuller for longer as well.