DIET AND LIVER-DISEASE - A GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE

The complex interaction between liver disease and food intake is not w ell defined. There are two aspects to consider: how liver disease affe cts food intake and whether or not diet can affect liver disease. Acut e and chronic liver disease have been shown to influence taste, smell, food preference, and appetite. The liver may also play a role in food selection through reflex pathways. Intake of various macronutrients c an alter serum liver enzymes and bilirubin without necessarily being a ssociated with changes in pre-existing liver disease. Nonetheless, the re is evidence that diet can be associated with both adverse and benef icial changes in outcome in animal models and patients with liver dise ase. These issues are difficult to unravel; however, there is potentia l for significant clinical advances from examining this area.