Low Protein & Low Sodium Diets Due to Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis is a condition affecting the liver which results in scarring of the organ, characterized by symptoms such as increased bruising and bleeding, swelling in the legs, weight loss and chronic nausea. According to information from the Mayo Clinic, there is no real treatment for cirrhosis--the goal is to handle the underlying condition that triggered the developing of cirrhosis in the first place, whether it's alcohol abuse or diseases such as hepatitis. A cirrhosis diet can also help to control symptoms, helping to improve the quality of life of those affected.

Protein and Sodium

• Follow a diet that is protein modulated and low-sodium to control the symptoms of cirrhosis. According to information from the medical website EMedTV, you should strive to consume no more than 2,000 mg of sodium per day. Limiting sodium helps to avoid fluid retention among individuals with cirrhosis, preventing swelling of the legs and other body parts. A low-sodium approach will naturally mean limiting your use of table salt along with searching for low-sodium alternatives for your favorite foods. This will mean favoring fresh foods as opposed to frozen or pre-packaged items, as the latter tend to have a lot of added sodium used as a preservative. It will also mean avoiding consumption of canned goods such as canned vegetables, broths and gravies, as they also tend to have more sodium than fresh or homemade variants.
  According to EMedTV, the protein requirements for an individual with cirrhosis can vary depending on their current symptoms--where an individual is experiencing weight loss, vomiting and loss of appetite he actually requires more protein than normal to offset the nutrients he is losing. Therefore, keep protein intake moderate during times of reduced symptoms, but increase it in times of active symptoms. Aim to consume smaller meals more frequently throughout the day in order to "pack in" additional calories even while in the throngs of a heavy bout of symptoms.

General Recommendations

• Follow a heart healthy diet as recommended by the experts at EMedTV as a basic dietary building block. This means focusing the bulk of your nutrition on the consumption of plant foods, including fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains (rye, barley and wheat, among others). Limit your overall consumption of fats, especially saturated and trans fats. Keep your total fat intake to less than 30 percent of your daily calories. This approach will help to ensure that your body is provided with sufficient nutrients to fight off cirrhosis as best as it is able, in addition to ensuring that you will be healthy enough to weather whatever medical procedures are necessary.