When cirrhosis occurs, liver function is poor, and its metabolic and detoxification functions are also weakened. Improper diet at this time can easily aggravate the condition. Therefore, patients with cirrhosis should promptly understand the dietary taboos to prevent the condition from worsening due to improper diet. The following is an introduction to the dietary taboos for cirrhosis for the reference of patients:
1. Diet for cirrhosis should avoid alcohol
In addition to directly damaging the liver, alcohol can also produce a carcinogen, acetaldehyde, during its metabolism. Therefore, the diet for cirrhosis should absolutely avoid alcohol.
2. Diet for cirrhosis should avoid spicy and irritating foods
Spicy foods can irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa, increase gastric acid secretion, and thus cause gastrointestinal discomfort, which is detrimental to the condition. Therefore, the diet for cirrhosis should avoid spicy and irritating foods such as chili, Sichuan peppercorns, mustard, and mutton.
3. Diet for cirrhosis should avoid high-protein foods
When cirrhosis occurs, the liver's metabolic function is poor, which can lead to the inability to expel protein in a timely and effective manner, resulting in excessive ammonia production and inducing hepatic coma. Therefore, the protein intake for cirrhosis patients should be controlled to about 2-3.5 grams per kilogram of body weight per day.
4. Diet for cirrhosis should avoid rough and hard foods
In cirrhosis, portal hypertension causes the blood vessels at the lower end of the esophagus and the gastric fundus to thicken and their walls to thin. Rough or hard foods may puncture or abrade these vessels, causing major bleeding. Therefore, the diet for cirrhosis should avoid rough and hard foods.
5. Diet for cirrhosis should avoid high-sugar foods
In cirrhosis, liver cells are severely damaged, and the liver's ability to synthesize monosaccharides into glycogen for storage and convert them into fat is significantly reduced. Consuming large amounts of sugar at this time can easily lead to hepatic diabetes, increasing the difficulty of treatment. Therefore, the diet for cirrhosis should avoid high-sugar foods.
6. Diet for cirrhosis should avoid high-copper foods
In cirrhosis, liver function is poor and cannot well regulate the body's copper balance. Consuming high-copper foods at this time can easily induce complications such as ascites and jaundice. Therefore, the diet for cirrhosis should avoid foods rich in copper, such as jellyfish, cuttlefish, shrimp, and snails.
In addition, the diet for cirrhosis should also strictly control the intake of salt to prevent complications such as ascites and edema.