Diet And Nutrition Tips For Liver Cirrhosis Patients

Diet and nutrition tips for people with cirrhosis

Malnutrition, a common complication in liver cirrhosis, is associated with poorer outcome. Consequently, a diet that provides 25 to 40 kcal/kg body weight a day is usually prescribed. Nutrition therapy, particularly with branched-chain amino acids, can also help support patients who are losing weight due to poor appetite and may improve survival.

Cirrhosis prevention or management:

Low-fat diets: Excess dietary fat may encourage cirrhosis progression. High intakes of total fat, saturated fat and polyunsaturated fat have been implicated. High-fat diet can worsen cirrhosis as it contributes to fatty liver disease which is another cause of cirrhosis. No more than 30 percent of your calories should come from fat.

Antioxidants and b-vitamins: Cirrhotic patients have significant reductions in antioxidant enzymes and lower blood levels of certain antioxidant nutrients, such as carotenoids, vitamin e, and zinc. Due to a reduction in food intake and documented deficiencies of several nutrients in cirrhosis, patients should take at least a multiple vitamin with minerals that meets 100% of the dietary allowance for all vitamins and minerals.

Branched-chain amino acids and enteral feeding for malnourished patients -protein-energy malnutrition is common, occurring in 65% to 90% of patients with cirrhosis. Enteral feeding is also the recommended route for artificial nutrition in cirrhosis, and is associated with improved liver function and a lower hospital mortality rate.

Limit salt: Salt retains water, which can cause further problems for cirrhosis patients. It is important that you limit your salt intake to less than 2, 000 mg a day or less. You can do this by avoiding salty foods, cooking for yourself, reading food labels carefully, avoiding fast-food restaurants, and reducing your intake of red meat.

Watch your calories and protein: Cirrhosis patients may need additional calories and protein as they may lose their appetite or experience nausea or vomiting, leading to weight loss. Eating smaller, more frequent meals may help combat this while replenishing lost nutrients, calories, and protein. Protein should come from plant sources as meat-sourced protein is hard for your liver to filter through.

Avoid alcohol: In many cases, alcohol is a main cause for cirrhosis, so continuing to drink will worsen your condition. Avoid alcohol at all costs.

Avoid caffeinated beverages: Caffeinated beverages have been found to worsen liver disease.

Weight loss due to loss of appetite and other factors lifestyle changes to reduce cirrhosis symptoms.

Maintain a healthy weight. Some forms of liver disease, including cirrhosis, are linked to fat accumulation.

Reduce your risk of developing hepatitis. Do not share needles, ensure you are vaccinated, and be aware of the risk of hepatitis when traveling to foreign countries.

Avoid infections. Cirrhosis makes it difficult to fight off infections. Avoid people who are sick and wash your hands frequently.

Don’t smoke. This is toxic to the liver.

Don’t do illicit drugs. These too increase your risk of hepatitis and infection.

Manage other health conditions. Control blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes as these can all take a toll on your liver, worsening your disease.

Avoid harmful medications: Medications are processed through the liver, so certain drugs can worsen your condition.