Diet in liver diseases
Brodanová, M.
Casopis Lekaru Ceskych 135(17): 563-566
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0008-7335 PMID: 8964073 Document Number: 455624
The liver is the metabolic centre of all nutrients. Liver disease can thus interfere with the metabolism of the whole organism, it can have a negative impact on the nutritional status and frequently lead to marked malnutrition. On the other hand, attempts to influence liver disease by dietetic provisions have an old tradition while actual evidence of a marked benefit of these prescriptions is lacking. Therefore we witness at present rather regression from strict dietetic provisions, and individual diets are favoured where frequently the main criterium is the tolerance of the recommended diet and suitable technology. The author submits a brief review of the main metabolic changes in the course of liver diseases which contributes to the understanding of reasons for the recommended dietetic provisions. Attention is drawn to pitfalls which may depretiate therapeutic efforts. The author differentiates the procedure in acute and chronic liver diseases. In cirrhosis special restrictions during decompensation are stressed, as then quite different dietetic provisions are needed. Details are given for encephalopathy and conditions of fluid retention with ascites.