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Diet for Cirrhosis Patient

Cirrhosis is a condition of the liver caused by chronic liver disease. Damaged liver cells are replaced by scar tissue, weakening the function of the liver and causing serious medical consequences. This excess scarring can obstruct blood flow to and from the liver, impairing an important pathway of the digestive system. This can lead to malnutrition. As a cirrhosis patient, you should adopt a carefully chosen diet that will not exacerbate the symptoms of cirrhosis.

  1. No Alcohol

    • Most cirrhosis of the liver is caused by alcohol abuse; eliminating further alcohol use is essential for maintaining what's left of your functioning liver. Alcohol is toxic to your system, and a healthy liver can filter some toxins and prevent them from entering your bloodstream. With cirrhosis, a liver is unable to filter alcohol; no level of alcohol intake is safe for a person with cirrhosis.

    Low Sodium

    • Avoiding high sodium (salt) levels is key. Patients with cirrhosis tend to hold excess water, resulting in swelling in the abdomen or extremities. Sodium worsens this symptom and hampers your ability to urinate at a healthy rate. To restrict your sodium intake, avoid foods such as salted pretzels, salted nuts, processed cheese, soy sauce and frozen meals. Fresh foods tend to have less sodium than processed foods. Ideally, you should have less than 2,000 mg of sodium a day. Check food labels and calculate your daily intake.

    Missing Nutrients

    • Cirrhosis can cause nausea and a loss of appetite. These symptoms can lead you to deprive your body of important compounds, especially calcium, magnesium and zinc. Check a health food store or other food store for supplements of these nutrients, or speak with your doctor about prescription supplement drinks.

    Proper Diet

    • Eating right and keeping your weight in check will make your weakened liver's job a bit easier. This means a diet low in fat and cholesterol with lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

    Meal Frequency

    • Due to a lack of appetite, you may struggle to eat large and complete meals. Instead, try eating several small meals a day. By eating small meals frequently, you may avoid nausea and still receive a healthy amount of calories, protein and important nutrients.

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