The liver is considered as a “factory” for processing, synthesizing, storing nutrients and detoxifying, to maintain all life activities of the body. Nutrients (carbohydrate, protein, fat, minerals or vitamins) from food after being digested and absorbed into the blood will be transferred to the liver to be “processed”, reserved and eliminated. Besides, the liver also has the function of metabolism and elimination of alcohol.
Because the liver plays an important role in the metabolism of nutrients, once the liver is fiber, it will lead to indigestion, feeling full, not appetite, or feeling nauseous … leading to malnourished patients. The frequency of malnutrition is from 20% to 60%. The worse cirrhosis, the more serious malnutrition. Malnutrition is common in end-stage cirrhosis.
On February 15, 2023, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Vietnam in combination with the Gastroenterology department of Thong Nhat hospital organized the patient club with the topic: “Complete nutrition for liver patients”.
Patient club activity at Gastroenterology Dept., Thong Nhat hospital
Ngo Thi Thanh Quyt, MD, SL2 has shared a reasonable diet to improve liver function. A person with liver disease may not receive enough energy from food, leading to malnutrition, weight loss, muscle atrophy, but this condition can be adjusted with the appropriate diet:
- Full of nutrients and balance between nutrients.
- Rich in BCAAs (Branched Chain Amino Acids) (about 50% of total protein).
- Good fats: low in saturated fat, low in cholesterol, high in unsaturated fatty acids.
- Provide adequate minerals and vitamins according to Recommended Dietary Allowance.
- Late evening snake.
Thus, nutrition for liver disease is very important, family members and patients should pay attention to keeping a scientific diet, helping liver patients recover quickly and have better treatment results.