Cirrhosis of the liver is a chronic disease characterized by degeneration and hardening of liver cells.  Scarring of the liver tissue causes improper functioning and may result from alcoholism, malnutrition, viral hepatitis or chronic inflammation or obstruction of certain ducts in the liver.

Early signs of the disease include fever, indigestion, diarrhea or constipation and jaundice.  Later symptoms include edema, anemia, and bleeding disorders characterized by the presence of spider-shaped bruises.  A deficiency of the B complex and vitamins A, C, and K may also occur.

Optimal nutrition provides the key to recovery from the disease.  A high-protein diet (1 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight, or approximately 75 to 100 grams of protein per day) is prescribed to promote regeneration of the liver cells.  In the case of coma, however, protein should be restricted.  A high-calorie (2400 to 3000 calories per day) and high-carbohydrate (300 to 400 grams per day) diet is needed to increase the storage of glycogen to ensure that protein is used for regeneration, and to compensate for weight losses caused by fever.  If nausea is present frequently, small meals are better tolerated than three large meals.

A common complication of cirrhosis is the failure of the liver to make vitamins available in an active form in the body.  For this reason, the diet should be high in the B complex and vitamins A (not in the form of carotene), C,D, and K.  If jaundice is present, special attention should be paid to the fat-soluble vitamins, A, D, E, and K because some kinds of jaundice interfere with the absorption of these nutrients.  If edema is present, sodium, which causes the body to retain water, should be restricted.  All alcohol should be strictly avoided.

Alcohol greatly reduces the absorption of vitamin B1 and other nutrients.  A deficiency state can result leading to liver injury despite and adequate diet.  A B1 deficiency produces confusion, memory loss, heart irregularities, and gastrointestinal problems.  Damage to the liver from long-term excessive drinking is irreversible; however, further damage can be prevented by abstaining from alcohol, eating a nutritious diet and taking vitamin and mineral supplements.

Information obtained from the Nutrition Almanac, Third Edition, Lavon J. Dunne

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