Cirrhosis mostly appears as a result of excessive alcohol dosing, but can also be a result of hepatitis, exposure to certain drugs, obstruction of the bile ducts, etc…
Cirrhosis is the last phase of a chronic liver disease. It’s simply a replacement of liver tissue by scar tissue and lumps resulting from the attempt to repair the damaged tissues. These changes cause the loss of liver function.
People sick from cirrhosis mostly have symptoms like vomiting, nausea, weight loss, and loss of appetite. This makes this person weaker than the rest. Diet or nutrition doesn’t cause this disease. It is most often initiated by alcohol addiction.
People having cirrhosis must consume food rich with proteins enabling the liver cells to regenerate. However be careful because overdosing with proteins can increase the amount of ammonia in the blood, whereas a low dose of proteins can lower regenerative property.
Nutrition – The Key To Healing Cirrhosis
Nutrition is crucial for the healing of cirrhosis. Balanced nutrition can very easily help the damaged liver to regenerate new liver cells.
1. Increase the Intake of Vitamins
Cereals, bread, potatoes, and legumes are sources of B-complex vitamins. They strengthen the metabolism, tone the muscles, improve the immune system, and promote the growth of cells. Also, B Vitamins help for easier stress, the “enemy” in case of cirrhosis disease.
Vitamin C, contained in lemon, broccoli, tomatoes, potatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, red and green bell peppers, spinach, citrus fruits, and red berries, is great in the fight for a healthy immune system.
2. Limit Sodium
If your body upholds fluids because of cirrhosis appearing, then you must limit sodium intake. High Sodium level causes the appearance of leg and stomach swelling. Processed food (processed meat, conserved soups, crackers, etc.) contains large sodium amounts. Therefore it is best to avoid them. Replace them with fresh fruit and vegetables as they have small amounts of natural sodium.
3. Limit Protein
You must already know that proteins are very meaningful. They regenerate your muscles. However, their enlarging causes an increase of ammonia level disrupting the liver function and possibly creating hepatic encephalopathy. Hepatic encephalopathy disrupts the brain functioning and can cause coma.
It is best you consume vegetable protein, such as soy or lean animal protein. You should exclusively avoid raw shellfish because they carry a bacteria named Vibrio Vulnificus – health dangerous to people with diagnosed cirrhosis.
Legumes, grains, seeds, soy products, and nuts are great sources of low-fat proteins. Brown rice, oatmeal, whole grain bread, and pasta are indispensable for people having cirrhosis. They are rich in carbohydrates supplying the body with the necessary energy.
4. Limit Fats
High level of fats in the nutrition causes fatty liver even in those people who don’t have liver disease. A fatty liver has the tendency to scar at a faster rate. However, fats are necessary for absorbing fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. The Main focus for a healthy heart is unsaturated fats that are found in nuts, avocados, and olive oil. 30 % of your input calories should be fats.
Red meat is a food you need to avoid, because the liver doesn’t function with optimal capacity and can’t process fats.
5. Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Whether the cirrhosis is caused by alcohol or not, the main recommendation is to avoid it. Alcohol and poor nutrition increase liver damage. It is best that you intake nutrients such as fruits and vegetables and drink a lot of water.
Cirrhosis healing requires a high hygiene level because of outside factors and many possible infections. More often hand washing is recommended.
In cases of alcohol addiction, make an alcohol detox.
Conclusion. The healthy food can help you in healing damaged liver and cirrhosis. Well combined rest, drinking of fresh water and balanced nutrition are only part of guaranteed healing success.
