Oysters: Hello again everyone. I'm going... - British Liver Trust

British Liver Trust

38,206 members18,736 posts

Oysters

Beauport profile image
25 Replies

Hello again everyone. I'm going to France shortly with my husband to celebrate my birthday and part of the celebration should be a plate of luscious oysters, which I love.

However, I've read that I should avoid them as they can be toxic and therefore very harmful to the liver. Has anyone any advice/experience to relate on this? I should add that we'll be eating in one of Calais' best restaurants so hygiene and freshness shouldn't be a problem.

Isn't it a bummer that we not only have to give up alcohol (not such a big deal most of the time) but we can't eat just what we fancy to compensate!

Grateful for any advice you can give me.

Written by
Beauport profile image
Beauport
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
25 Replies
jojokarak profile image
jojokarak

Have you had a transplant?

Beauport profile image
Beauport in reply tojojokarak

No. Does that mean I can eat oysters?!!

jojokarak profile image
jojokarak in reply toBeauport

I always ate what I wanted pre transplant apart from salt. I would make the most of a lot of foods because after transplant a lot you can't eat 😁 and I miss shellfish with a passion, so have one for me please lol

Beauport profile image
Beauport in reply tojojokarak

I may sneak one of my husband's oysters and hope for the best! I'll be thinking of you when I eat it.

AyrshireK profile image
AyrshireK

Unfortunately it does look like your plate of oysters could indeed be risky when your liver is damaged - risk of Hep A plus vibrio vulnificus bacteria infection which can prove difficult to fight off. Lots of results on search engines for 'eating oysters with liver disease'. safeoysters.uga.edu/educato...

Could be dodgy. Hope you can still enjoy your celebrations.

Katie

Beauport profile image
Beauport in reply toAyrshireK

Thanks Katie. I'll forego the oysters - I'm sure I'll find something else to tickle my tastebuds! x

Identity75 profile image
Identity75 in reply toBeauport

Have a sumptuous bag of Haribo

Beauport profile image
Beauport in reply toIdentity75

I'd rather eat worms!

Identity75 profile image
Identity75 in reply toBeauport

😧

freddie76 profile image
freddie76

H

We have always been told that with any liver problems and after transplant that the diet that is recommended to pregnant women should be followed. That includes any type of shellfish as it does contain toxins. Also runny egg yolk,mayonnaise and pate etc.

Sorry but hope this helps.

Enjoy yre celebration

RodeoJoe profile image
RodeoJoe in reply tofreddie76

Yes I was told that to, it also included rare red meat, anything even slightly out of date and reheating leftovers. I understood it was because of the immuno suppressants and the greater chance of food poisoning.

I've been naughty and continue to eat rare meat, runny egg yolk, leftovers, mayonnaise and most sea food. I'm on very low imunno suppressants and my immune system is still going strong. I'm usually the only one in our household not to come down with a cold.

However oysters I believe are a different category of dangerous. Definately avoid!

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/158...

Beauport profile image
Beauport in reply toRodeoJoe

Good for you! I eat in much the same way as you, except that I try to avoid too much salt. I too must be doing something right as I've regained all the weight I lost when I was drinking heavily and not eating. But .... bye-bye oysters!

LAJ123 profile image
LAJ123 in reply tofreddie76

Freddie,

Haven't heard that before but the 'pregnancy dietary advice" is a really good idea.

Jim

Guyb profile image
Guyb

I love shellfish I never gave it a thought but I won't be eating anymore pity😢

Beauport profile image
Beauport

Yes! Sob! Life will never seem the same again! But seriously, it's worth the sacrifices to feel well and to have some life left to live.

Brummi profile image
Brummi

Hi, I worked at sea for 25 years and loved sea food, I got told foods like mussels, shells and prawns are a no no these days, fish is ok. Other things which I can eat in moderation are bannanas ,mushrooms but they are high in pottasim. On a lighter note whilst waiting for my lift home after my transplant in the hospital I had liver and onions for my lunch. Weird enit....

RodeoJoe profile image
RodeoJoe in reply toBrummi

I will not eat liver! How you ate it after transplant I can't imagine. Ever since I was diagnosed at 27 the thought has made me feel weird, I don't even like to see it in the supermarket or on a menu.

Brummi profile image
Brummi in reply toRodeoJoe

Hi Rodeojoe, I understand it's not everyones choice . I was brought up on it, it is also a good source of iron and protein.

LAJ123 profile image
LAJ123 in reply toRodeoJoe

I have to leave the kitchen when raw liver is being prepared for the cat !

Kate50 profile image
Kate50 in reply toRodeoJoe

This makes me laugh, liver was also on the menu, when I was in hospital after transplant , it did give everyone a laugh even the consultants, there was also steak and kidney pie which amused those with kidney transplants, who decides what's on the menu I wonder 😳

Beauport profile image
Beauport in reply toBrummi

Tee hee! Love it.

RodeoJoe profile image
RodeoJoe

Michael Winner, was killed by a mix of liver disease and bad oysters. A bad plate of Oysters left him seriously ill and eventually caused his death.

Beauport profile image
Beauport in reply toRodeoJoe

Didn't know that. I guess there's always the chance of a bad oyster even in the best restaurants.

donnaejm profile image
donnaejm

DO NOT EAT ANY KIND OF SHELL FISH!!!! THEY ARE EXTREMELY HIGH IN COLESTERAL AND WILL MAKE YOUR LIVER VERY SICK.

I ate at one of the best restaurants for shellfish in Paris and thoroughly enjoyed the delicious oysters that I scoffed. I always eat prawns when I have a Thai/Viet soup and it is only recently that I have suffered as a consequence. I have never been told to avoid shellfish etc despite being auto-immune for 9 years. I will now specifically ask my consultant at the next meeting as I don't want to give up something else. :(

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Advice on ending Mom's pain.

My Mom is in the ICU with liver cirrhosis. She's not on life support however. She is in a lot of...
Dagmara profile image

Our BLT staff

I really hope you don't mind me making the point below about criticism of the trust and one of...
chrisw740 profile image

Confusion and memory loss with cirrhosis

Hi all, I wonder if you could help me my husband has cirrhosis and he is due to go to Leeds in 2...
chezza1974 profile image

Alp score

Hi all. I'm wondering if you can give me any insight! I was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis in...

How does a person find out the degree of severity of their liver disease/cirrhosis?

Asking a professional does not give an answer. Perhaps they do not know. The common answer appears...
Cucamelon profile image

Moderation team

See all

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.