Cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver, occurs after long-term disease of the liver on an injury involving the liver, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. The liver fights infections, stores energy and helps digest foods; when there is significant liver damage, the body may become malnourished and prone to certain types of infections. People with cirrhosis have to modify their diet to accommodate for these issues.
Balanced Protein Intake
People with cirrhosis need to strike a balance between too little protein intake and too much protein intake. One of the side effects of cirrhosis is the development of fluid in the abdomen or swelling of the legs and feet; patients with this condition need to consume more protein, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center website. Protein is also needed for muscle repair and development. However, too much protein can cause a build-up of ammonia levels in the blood; these levels can lead to a condition called hepatic encephalopathy or mental confusion. The treating physician or dietitian should be able to define an appropriate amount of protein consumption for each patient.
Vegetable Protein Sources
A healthy diet for people with cirrhosis includes more fruits, vegetables and dairy products. Because of the higher risk of ammonia accumulation with animal protein sources, people with cirrhosis can obtain the necessary protein from vegetables and dairy products, according to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Vegetable proteins also contain substances that lower the amounts of ammonia formed in the body, according to NutritionMD.org. Plant-based fiber can also lower the amount of ammonia in the body and can also speed food through the intestines which decreases levels of ammonia as well.
Limited Salt Intake
For patients with excess fluid in the abdomen, feet and legs caused by cirrhosis, the physician and dietitian may prescribe a low-salt diet, according to the British Liver Trust website. Salt increases water retention which worsens the situation in these patients. Besides decreasing the amount of salt added to food, patients need to read nutrition labels to determine which food are high in salt. Examples are canned soups, luncheon meats and crackers. Eating fresh food also lowers salt intake. Avoiding fast food restaurants should be another consideration because fast foods are often high in salt as well, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
No Alcohol
People with cirrhosis should not drink alcohol at all, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Drinking too much alcohol can damage the liver and is often a cause of cirrhosis, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center website. Once a patient develops cirrhosis, additional alcohol consumption may cause additional damage to the liver.
No Raw Shellfish
People with cirrhosis should avoid raw shellfish like oysters, according to according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Raw shellfish often contain a specific bacterium called Vibrio vulnificus which can cause severe infections in persons with cirrhosis. A person should avoid any shellfish where there is a question of how the food was cooked, according to University of Maryland Medical Center website.
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