Useful foods for people with liver cirrhosis
People suffering from fatty liver disease and liver cirrhosis should use lean meat and fresh vegetables in their diet to speed up the healing process of the disease in their body.
In an interview with ISNA, Dr. Seyed Moyed Alavian stated that one of the most important issues regarding cirrhosis patients is diet, and said: according to various researches, it has been shown that a proper diet in many cases causes a drastic change in Illness and condition become a person. Of course, the diet of each patient depends on the severity and condition of his disease, but the general principles of all these diets are the same.
Stating that the constituent elements of food are carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and dietary fibers, he added: In most parts of the world, including Asia and Iran, grains provide 70% of the energy needed by the body. Among grains, we can mention foods such as wheat, rice, barley, pasta, bulgur, potatoes, etc. Consuming this group of foods is safe for people with cirrhosis. Most cereals have similar chemical compounds and iron and some B vitamins. It should be noted that potato is a good food for disabled people and patients with cirrhosis due to its high potassium content and easy digestion, and it is recommended that these patients consume some potatoes in their daily diet.
Alaviyan stated that regular sugar, sugar, honey and dates are among the carbohydrates and added: Honey prevents the excessive growth of bacteria in the intestine due to its antiseptic properties. Honey also has a lot of potassium and some vitamins. Cirrhosis patients are advised to eat one to several teaspoons of honey daily if they wish. Dates are also a good food due to having suitable minerals and dietary fiber and high and digestible energy, and one to two can be consumed daily. Of course, if you have diabetes, you must follow a special diet and consult your doctor about this.
The head of Iran’s hepatitis network said that protein is one of the most important foods and said: Since the protein in red animal meat produces more ammonia, it should be replaced by white meat such as fish and chicken and vegetable proteins such as grains. used potatoes and soybeans. Accordingly, we recommend not to consume red meat more than twice a week. It is recommended to eat some white meat fish in your diet every day or every other day. First, the fish must be grilled or boiled, and secondly, do not eat its skin.
Alaviyan also stated: fat or oil is one of the foods with high energy-generating power. Fats may be of vegetable or animal origin. Vegetable oils such as coconut, cottonseed, peanut, olive and sunflower are very suitable fats for patients with cirrhosis. Based on this, it is recommended that patients with cirrhosis avoid eating animal and so-called saturated fats such as butter, animal oil, and cream, and instead eat vegetable and unsaturated fats such as margarine (butter), olive oil, Use fish oil and sunflower oil. At the same time, minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium, magnesium, etc. are also the main and necessary components for the body, and people with cirrhosis should receive them in a normal amount and a little more than usual. These substances are found in abundance in vegetables and fruits and many grains, and there is no limit to them.
Some nutritional tips for people with liver cirrhosis
He also said: Patients with liver cirrhosis should pay attention to several points in their nutrition:
– Use lean meat, skinless chicken and milk with regular fat.
– For cooking or frying, use a small amount of oil or butter (about one tablespoon).
– Eat carrots or spinach (fresh one cup, cooked 1.2 cups) every day.
– Use low-salt foods and avoid using salt shakers at the table.
– Eat four kinds of fruits every day.
– In addition to daily consumption of various food sources, vitamin B, folic acid and, if necessary, vitamin A should be used.
People with cirrhosis of the liver can consume 0.8-0.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day when they are under control, and it should be noted that the amount of protein consumption should be judged according to the patient’s condition. It should be noted that if malnutrition occurs in these patients, the mortality rate will also increase.
Avoiding alcohol and smoking is also important.
– They should avoid eating eggs, coffee, chocolate; Because these substances have no therapeutic value.
– In cirrhosis, the amount of “B” group vitamins gradually decreases, and sufficient amounts needed by the body must be provided.
– In order to prevent muscle wasting, it is necessary to administer sugar (glucose) and consume enough calories.
– Consuming some foods that contain large amounts of antioxidants is useful for liver patients. Antioxidants protect the liver from free radical damage. Cabbage, plums, raisins, red grapefruit, apples and pears have high amounts of antioxidants.
– Dark chocolate is good for liver patients. Consuming dark chocolate is useful in reducing blood pressure in abdominal veins in patients with chronic liver disease and cirrhosis due to the presence of antioxidants called flavonols.
Source/Isna