Parenteral Nutrition for Liver Function

Proper nutrition is necessary to maintaining liver function. Paternal nutrition is the provision of nutrients directly into the blood stream. The purpose of providing parenteral nutrition during stages of liver disease is to prevent malnutrition when normal eating is not applicable.

Paternal Nutrition

• Paternal nutrition is only appropriate when internal nutrition, or providing nutrients through the digestive tract, is not valid.

Liver Function

• The liver is the largest gland in the body and contains two main parts, the right and left lobes. The main liver functions are to aid in the metabolism of carbohydrate, protein, and fat, storage and activations of vitamins and minerals and excretion of bile. Liver cells and bile ducts form bile which is necessary for absorption of fat.

Liver Function Nutrition

• Maintaining or returning to a healthy nutrition state may also help to reduce the progression of any liver condition. Normal recommendations are used to maintain liver function, but increased calories and protein are necessary in cases of liver disease, transplant or existing malnutrition.

Liver Diseases

• The liver plays an important role in maintaining nutritional status. Characteristic liver diseases cause damage to the bile ducts.

Liver Disease Parenteral Nutrition

• Parenteral nutrition depends upon individual needs provided by doctors and dietitians. In cases of liver disease paternal nutrition will provide adequate protein, fat and carbohydrates until normal eating can be resumed.