Diet for cirrhosis – rich in protein!

An article that actually recommends a high protein diet – will wonders ever cease!!!!

Craig

A fundamental aspect of the hepatitis diet is to avoid alcohol of any kind. In cases where this rule is not respected, the liver cirrhosis occurrence is frequent and can lead to the patient’s death. Therefore, the consumption of alcohol is not recommended, and its complete avoidance is the best option for patients with hepatitis.

In addition, the patients must meet certain nutritional recommendations to control the excessive weight or the body weakness. The diet for hepatitis has a normal amount of calories, rich in protein but low in fat, so the liver will not be overworked.

In the severe forms of hepatitis it is recommended to have a regular hospital diet, and in other forms 12 -14 hours of bed rest day, allowing periods of remission – in the mild forms – a professional activity without exposure to strain and high physical effort.

The Hygienic-Dietary Treatment

 Avoid excessive physical exertion. Complete and balanced diet, enough calories, administered in small doses at regular times and individualized according to the preferences or dietary restrictions due to other diseases, excluding alcoholic beverages

The diet for the patients with hepatitis must be rich in protein to support the repair of the liver cells. Nowadays, the nutritionists recommend a daily intake of 120 grams of protein.

Adequate intakes of protein are important to build and maintain the muscle mass and to help healing. The protein intake should be adapted to the body weight. Approximately 0.8 grams of protein / kg are recommended for the patients with hepatitis, unless a complication ofcirrhosis (encephalopathy) occurs.

The liver plays an important role in the iron metabolism as the principal organ that stores this metal. A normal diet contains of 10 -20 mg of iron. Only 10% of this amount is eliminated from the body. The patients with chronic hepatitis sometimes have difficulties in the iron excretion, which can lead to excessive accumulation in the liver, blood and other organs. However, the excess iron can be harmful to the liver. For this reason, the patients with high iron serum, or suffering from cirrhosis should avoid taking supplements.

Prohibited Foods

    Meat rich in fat or connective tissue: pork, mutton, goose, duck, etc.
    Fermented cheese, very fat or very light
    Fried eggs, hard boiled eggs
    Fat, lard, tallow, any fried fat
    Black bread, fresh bread, non refined pasta
    Cellulose vegetables (onion, cucumber, radishes, lentils, beans, , peas, okra) or those prepared with a lot of fat
    Oleaginous fruits: nuts, olives
    Dessertsprepared with a lot of fat or egg, chocolate, cocoa and all their derivatives
    Stimulant beverages (coffee, cocoa, Russian tea), alcoholic beverages of any kind (including beer, wine)
    Hot spices, irritant: paprika, cayenne pepper, onion, garlic, pepper, mustard, horseradish;
    Any food too salty or preserved in salt: salt will be consumed in normal amounts, but with no excess.

Source: http://www.methodsofhealing.com/diet-in-chronic-hepatitis/