Cirrhosis of the liver is a disease in which the liver works with great difficulty and can be caused by excessive consumption of alcohol, viral hepatitis or other diseases. In these situations, adequate nutrition is essential, as these conditions are often accompanied by severe weight loss, muscle loss, fluid buildup and nutrient deficiency, resulting in malnutrition, which can eventually worsen the disease.
The foods that must be consumed in the diet to treat cirrhosis are fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat meats, as they are foods that provide essential nutrients and are easy to digest, not requiring much liver work to metabolize.
- Liver damage caused by cirrhosis cannot be reversed.
- Only if a liver transplant is performed; However.
- If you identify early and treat with appropriate medication and nutrition.
- Disease progression may be delayed.
The diet for cirrhosis of the liver should contain the ideal amount of nutrients, so it is important that the person ingest 5 to 6 meals a day in small portions, especially if they have little appetite or feel satisfied very quickly.
The diet should include complex carbohydrates, good fats and high biological value proteins. Initially, it was thought that the diet should restrict protein intake as much as possible, however, current studies have shown that the impact of proteins on the development of hepatic encephalopathy is minimal and that proteins can be included in the diet.
It is also important to include fruits, vegetables and whole grains in your diet, such as rice, pasta, bread and wholemeal flour. Fish, eggs, low-fat white meats and low-fat, low-fat cheeses such as ricotta and cottage cheese, for example, should also be included. Consumption of milk and dairy products should be skimmed and, in the case of fats, olive oil can be consumed in small quantities, as well as seeds and nuts.
In addition, if the nutritionist deems it necessary, it may indicate supplementation with calcium, vitamin D and other nutrients, as well as consuming a nutritional formula to increase the amount of calories consumed.
To control cirrhosis and prevent the liver from making too much effort to metabolize food, it is recommended to avoid:
In addition, it is important to avoid drinking alcoholic beverages, as they may make the situation worse. In addition, in some people with cirrhosis of the liver may appear intolerance to certain authorized foods, which could cause discomfort or pain during consumption, especially those that cause gas, it is important to identify foods to avoid.
The following table shows a 3-day menu example for a person with cirrhosis of the liver:
The amounts included in the diet and the amount of fluids to be consumed vary depending on the severity of the disease, age and gender. Therefore, the ideal is to look for a nutritionist so that a complete assessment can be made and a nutritional plan adapted to the needs is developed. In addition, it is also important to remember that medications should only be taken under the direction of the doctor.
To control the water retention that normally occurs in cirrhosis and is called ascites, salt intake should be reduced, avoiding adding it to meals and consuming foods that contain it in large quantities, such as sausages, salami, meat dice, prepared dishes, fast food. , Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce and preserves.
Alternatively, preference should be given to the use of natural herbs to season foods, such as garlic, onion, pepper, parsley, basil, coriander, oregano, among others. In addition, it is recommended to consult the nutritionist to know whether or not to have control of water intake, since depending on the degree of ascites this may be necessary.
When hepatic cirrhosis is at a more advanced stage, the diet should normally be done in the hospital, as it is necessary to compensate for nutritional deficit and control metabolic changes, which is done by analyzing periodic blood samples that evaluate the health of the person.
People with advanced liver cirrhosis generally have deficiencies in minerals such as potassium, magnesium and phosphorus, as well as B vitamins, especially when cirrhosis is of alcoholic origin. In cases of steatorrhea, which correspond to liquid stools and fats, deficiencies in fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K) may also be noticed. In addition, they may also have sodium retention, loss of muscle mass and hypoalbuminemia.
Therefore, if the person tolerates the oral route, the food should aim at protecting the liver and supplementing with vitamins and minerals. In cases where the oral route is not tolerated, the diet should be administered by nutritional formulas via nasogastric or nasoenteric probe or intravenously, allowing the nutritionist to better control the nutrients and the amount of fluids they receive, avoiding liver overload and improving the prognosis and nutritional status of the person.
These nutritional formulas are generally rich in branched amino acids (BCAA) and low in aromatic amino acids (AA). BCAA apparently prevents toxic substances from entering the brain, decreasing the risk and worsening of liver encephalopathy, preventing muscle mass degradation and can be used as an energy source by muscles, the brain, heart and liver when the body cannot use glucose or fat to generate energy.
See what treatment of cirrhosis of the liver should be like.