The liver is the most important metabolic organ of the human body, and when the disease occurs, complex nutrient metabolism changes and different degrees of malnutrition or insufficiency occur, and the nutritional status in turn affects the occurrence, development and prognosis of liver disease, forming a vicious circle. Malnutrition is often a burden in patients with cirrhosis, with an incidence of 20% to 50%. Malnutrition is reported in 20% of patients with compensated cirrhosis and more than 50% of patients with decompensated liver disease.
Why are patients with chronic liver disease prone to malnutrition?
(1) Reduced food intake: patients with chronic liver disease often have decreased appetite; due to the influence of concurrent ascites and other influences on eating, dietary restrictions after endoscopic treatment (ligation or sclerosis) of varicose veins in the esophagus and stomach, fear of complicated hepatic encephalopathy deliberately reducing meat food intake, etc., resulting in insufficient protein intake;
(2) Reduced absorption of nutrients: due to the decrease of bile salts discharged into the small intestine, the combination of gastrointestinal mucosal lesions, gastrointestinal blood stasis, decreased intestinal peristalsis capacity, impaired intestinal and hepatic circulation, etc., the intestinal absorption function is significantly weakened, and the absorption of nutrients is seriously affected;
(3) Due to ascites, gastrointestinal bleeding, infection, etc., a large amount of protein is lost and consumption is increased;
(4) Insufficient synthesis: the liver's ability to synthesize proteins decreases, resulting in hypoalbuminemia, and affects the production of certain hormones and trace elements, affecting the body's internal environment from many aspects.
(5) High metabolic state: Studies have shown that 34% of patients with cirrhosis have a high metabolic state, and the energy consumption in the resting state exceeds the expected 20%, due to the increased metabolism driven by cytokine abnormalities.
So what do you need to pay attention to in your diet?
1. Do not overdose your diet
Try to separate the meals, a small number of times is appropriate, especially it is recommended to add meals before going to bed, such as small bread, rice porridge, etc. Do not overeat, too much intake in one meal can easily increase the burden on the liver and gastrointestinal tract.
2. The diet should be light and soft
The diet should be delicate and soft, such as noodle soup, egg soup, tofu brain, etc. The processing method is as fine as possible, preferably in the form of silk, dice, foam, mud and juice, and avoid spicy, over-hot, hard and prickly and other irritating foods.
3. Low-fat diet
A low-fat diet is better, choose less fatty meat, skin, cream, etc., and avoid the use of too much cooking oil. Less choice of pickling, sauce, frying, smoking, barbecue and other foods, steaming, boiling, stewing, brewing is better.
4. Avoid concentrating on large amounts of protein
It is recommended that patients with cirrhosis eat some high-quality protein at breakfast and add appropriate meals at night to shorten the fasting time. The need for protein is based on the minimum protein intake required to maintain nitrogen balance. Foods rich in high-quality protein include meat (seafood, poultry, livestock), eggs, milk, soybeans, and eat together with grains to avoid a concentrated intake of large amounts at once, especially meat, especially for patients who have had hyperammonemia, hepatic encephalopathy, and abnormal kidney function.
5. Balanced collocation
Balanced and balanced diet with a comprehensive variety of food. Grain is used as a base, accompanied by meat, eggs, milk, soybeans, and vegetables. Fruit can be used as a meal option, eaten at room temperature, and should not be too much at a time.
6. Regular monitoring
Regularly monitor weight, related symptoms and indicators, and review regularly.