Food for Advanced Liver Cirrhosis
When liver cirrhosis is at a more advanced stage [5], the diet should normally be carried out at the hospital, as it is necessary to compensate for the nutritional deficit and control metabolic changes, which is done through the analysis of regular blood samples that allow assessment of the person’s health status.
People with advanced liver cirrhosis usually have deficiencies of minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus, as well as B vitamins, especially when cirrhosis is of alcoholic origin. In cases of steatorrhea, which corresponds to liquid and fatty bowel movements, deficiencies of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) can also be noted. In addition, they may also present sodium retention, loss of muscle mass, and hypoalbuminemia.
Therefore, if the person tolerates the oral route, food should aim at liver protection and should be supplemented with vitamins and minerals. In cases where the oral route is not tolerated, the diet should be administered through nutritional formulas through a nasogastric or gastroenteric tube or intravenously, allowing the nutritionist to better control the nutrients and the amount of fluids they receive, avoiding overload of the liver and improving the person’s prognosis and nutritional status.
These nutritional formulas [6] are generally rich in branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) and low in aromatic amino acids (AA). BCAAs apparently prevent toxic substances from entering the brain, decreasing the risk and worsening of liver encephalopathy, preventing mass muscle degradation, and can be used as an energy source by the muscle, brain, heart, and liver when the body cannot use glucose or fat to generate energy.
Reference:
[1] https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-the-best-diet-for-cirrhosis-1760062
[2] https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-the-best-diet-for-cirrhosis-1760062
[3] https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-the-best-diet-for-cirrhosis-1760062
[4] https://www.healthline.com/health/fatty-liver-diet
[5] https://www.gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085(08)00226-6/pdf
[6] https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-the-best-diet-for-cirrhosis-1760062