Diet Plan For Liver Cirrhosis
February 15, 2020 | by Yashaswi Pathakamuri | Posted in Nutrition Facts
Cirrhosis of the liver refers to the condition in which liver function is seriously affected as a result of the destruction of liver cells due to necrosis, fatty infiltration and fibrosis. There are three types of cirrhosis: (1) Diffuse hepatic fibrosis (2) Post-necrotic scarring which occurs in livers which have undergone massive necrosis and (3) Biliary cirrhosis which occurs due to biliary obstruction and superimposed infection or toxins which produce cirrhosis of the liver. Cirrhosis of the liver occurs commonly among chronic alcoholics and also in individuals who had attacks of hepatitis due to various infections. When cirrhosis of liver has advanced to a last stage, there are always associated signs of malnutrition such as wasting of muscle, low serum albumin, oedema and retention of sodium. Obstruction of hepatic and portal veins leads to congestion of abdominal viscera and development of ascites.
Ascites
The cause for ascites are: (1) Portal hypertension and lymphatic obstruction, (2) Reduced osmotic pressure of the plasma due to the failure of synthesis of albumin in the liver and (3) Increased retention of sodium. The treatment of ascites is to give a diet rich in proteins but low in sodium and also diuretics to increase urinary output of sodium and fluid. Supplementation with potassium salts may be necessary to make up potassium losses from the body.
Treatment
The principles of treatment are as follows: (1) Rest in bed (2) Treatment of complications such as ascites, portal hypertension, etc. and (3) Diet.
Dietary Management
Calories: The patients are usually undernourished. A high calorie diet has to be be given.
Proteins: As the patients suffer from protein deficiency and have low serum albumin levels, a high protein diet should be given.
Fats: Fat has to be given in restricted amounts at the rate of 0.5 g per kg body weight.
Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates should provide more than 60% of the total calories in the diet.
Minerals: Sodium intake should be restricted. Potassium salts should be administered if diuretics are administered for treating ascites and oedema. Iron salts should be administered to cure an anemia which is invariably present.
Vitamins: The patients should be given one multivitamin tablet providing daily requirements of all essential vitamins. Folic acid and B12 should be administered parenterally for treating macrocytic anemia.
The daily menu and pattern of diet are given below:
Daily Menu For An Adult Suffering From Cirrhosis Of Liver
| Timings | Vegetarian | Non-Vegetarian |
| Early morning | Tea or coffee-1 cup | Tea or coffee-1 cup |
| Breakfast | Cornflakes with milk and sugar-1 serving Cheese-2 slices Milk-1 cup Fruits-1 serving | Cornflakes with milk and sugar-1 serving Boiled eggs-2 Milk-1 cup Fruits-1 serving |
| Mid-morning | Fruit juice-1 glass | Fruit juice-1 glass |
| Lunch | Bread or cooked rice or chapati-1 serving Dhal soup with calcium caseinate (4 tea spoons) Cooked vegetables Curd-2 cups Fruits-1 serving | Bread, cooked rice or chapati-1 serving Mutton soup-1 serving mutton or liver curry-1 serving Curd-1 cup Fruits-1 serving |
| Evening | Sandwiches (with cheese)-2 Fruit juice-1 glass | Sandwiches (with mutton) Fruit juice-1 serving |
| Dinner | Same as lunch | Same as lunch |
Note: Salt should not be added during or after cooking.
Diet For An Adult Suffering From Cirrhosis Of Liver
| FoodStuffs | Vegetarian | Non-Vegetarian |
| Cereals | 250 | 250 |
| Pulses | 50 | 50 |
| Milk (half fat) | 800 | 500 |
| Cheese | 50 | _ |
| Meat and liver | _ | 100 |
| Eggs | _ | 60 |
| Calcium caseinate | 50 | 20 |
| Fats and oils (rich in essential fatty acids) | 20 | 20 |
| Vegetables | 100 | 100 |
| Fruits | 200 | 200 |
| Fruit juice | 500 | 500 |
| Sugar | 60 | 60 |
| Glucose | 60 | 60 |