Nutrition in Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis is a progressive disease that develops when normal tissue in the liver deteriorates and becomes scar tissue. Hepatitis may develop due to drugs, toxic substances or alcohol.

Some nutritional problems may develop due to the disease. Among these:

• Digestion and malabsorption

• Malnutrition

• With diet Muscle wasting and weakness may occur due to insufficient protein intake.

To prevent these nutritional problems;

• If the patient is at normal weight. The amount of energy he needs daily should be sufficient to maintain his weight.

• If there is a protein restriction in the diet, high energy should be given to prevent the use of proteins for energy, and the majority of the calories we need daily (50-60%) come from carbohydrates.

• In addition, although patients have impaired fat absorption in their intestines, the fat content of the diet is reduced and medium-chain fatty acids are preferred (e.g. coconut oil)

• If we look at the amount of protein, 70-100g/day or 1-1.5g of protein per kilogram should be given in order to repair the functioning tissues of the liver and keep blood proteins at normal levels.

• Since the potassium level in the blood decreases in these patients, foods rich in potassium, such as bananas, potatoes and fruit juice, are preferred in the diet.

• On the other hand, fluid adjustment is made depending on the amount of urine in order to reduce edema in the body. .

• The diet should be rich in fiber to prevent constipation and hemorrhoid formation in patients with cirrhosis.

So what are the harmful foods in the diet?

• Foods prepared by frying and roasting cooking method

• Foods that cause gas (raw vegetables and fruits, legumes)

• Hot pepper

• Alcohol

• Tea and coffee consumption

• Animal fats

What are our recommendations?

• You should not stay hungry for a long time and eat little by little. should be fed frequently

• Sleep should not be lost

• A� Heavy physical activity should be avoided, light and regular exercise should be done.

• Alcohol and cigarette consumption should not be avoided

• Stress should be avoided.

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