A proper diet not only provides us with sufficient nutrients, but also is the basis for improving the immunity of the body. As liver cancer patients, how should we eat in order to provide sufficient nutrients to the liver? What are the contraindications in diet? Today, let’s discuss how to supplement nutrition for liver cancer patients.
The liver is the largest digestive organ in our body, and its main role is to maintain the balance and metabolism of blood sugar, blood lipids, protein, vitamins and other substances in the body, followed by detoxification, regulation of bile metabolism, hematopoiesis and blood clotting. Once the liver has problems, there will be abnormalities in the metabolism of various nutrients.
So, let’s take a look at what nutrient metabolism disorders generally occur in patients with liver disease?
Abnormal glucose metabolism: The liver has the role of synthesizing, storing and decomposing glycogen in glucose metabolism, so that the dynamic balance between liver glycogen and blood sugar is maintained and the blood sugar concentration is kept at a certain level. When the liver function is low, the synthesis and storage capacity of liver glycogen will be weakened, resulting in reduced glucose tolerance and even hypoglycemia. As for patients with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, due to the damage of liver cells, the function of liver to break down insulin is reduced, and they cannot synthesize the ingested glucose into hepatic glycogen in a timely manner.
Abnormal protein metabolism: The liver is able to synthesize almost all plasma proteins except immunoglobulins. Patients with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma have abnormal protein and amino acid metabolism due to the decrease in the total number of effective hepatocytes, which may lead to hypoproteinemia, edema, ascites, and a tendency to bleeding; in addition, patients have decreased plasma levels of branched-chain amino acids and increased levels of aromatic amino acids, which may trigger hepatic encephalopathy.
Abnormal lipid metabolism: The liver plays an important role in the digestion, absorption, transport, decomposition and synthesis of lipids. When liver function is abnormal, the normal balance of lipid synthesis and secretion is disrupted, and free fatty acids as well as triglycerides appear elevated in the plasma.
Abnormal vitamin metabolism: The liver is an important site for the storage, metabolism and absorption of many vitamins (e.g. vitamins A, C, D, E, K, B1, B6, B12, niacin, folic acid, etc.). When liver cells are damaged, vitamins synthesized by other organs cannot be utilized through the liver, and multivitamin deficiency can occur.
Abnormal water and salt metabolism: With abnormal hormones in cirrhotic patients, coupled with reduced albumin levels, patients often develop edema and ascites, accompanied by electrolyte disorders and hypokalemia and hyponatremia.
Patients with cirrhosis complicated by liver cancer will have abnormal systemic nutritional metabolism, which can be corrected by diet. Giving nutritional support from diet not only helps to restore patients’ general condition and improve body immunity, but also facilitates the repair and regeneration of liver cells. Let’s see how patients should eat?
Adequate protein diet: Patients with cirrhosis and liver cancer have reduced protein synthesis and should consume high protein diet, about 100 – 120g/day, alternating with lean meat, fish, eggs, dairy and soy products. However, patients with advanced cirrhosis need to adjust according to their condition. If elevated blood ammonia occurs, protein should be limited to about 25 – 40g/day to prevent hepatic encephalopathy.
Adequate carbohydrates: Adequate carbohydrates can reduce the consumption of protein and reduce the burden on the liver; they can also maintain the content of liver glycogen, so that it can be used for the composition and proliferation of liver tissue to protect the liver. Maintain a sugar supply of about 400g/day in the diet. Eat carbohydrates that can be easily digested and absorbed in small amounts several times. Eat more starch-rich foods and use less simple table sugar. If the patient is a poor eater, moderate intravenous glucose supplementation is available.
Moderate fat supply: daily intake of 40-50g/day is appropriate, including no more than 20g/day of fats and oils. Excessive intake of fat, especially animal fat, will increase the burden on the liver. However, it should not be completely fat-free supply, so as not to cause the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D and K) and the play of nutrients in dishes.
Adequate vitamins: The liver is the main site of vitamin storage, metabolism and absorption. Various fresh vegetables and fruits are rich in various vitamins, and vitamin supplementation of 700 – 900g/day is appropriate. Vitamin E has a protective effect on the liver and can be supplemented appropriately.
Limit the intake of water and sodium: mainly limit the intake of salt to 6g/day, if there is ascites and edema, 2-3g/day is appropriate.
Having introduced the nutrient supplementation, what are the considerations on the cooking method?
Food for cirrhosis and liver cancer patients should be cooked in a soft and easy to digest way, and patients need to pay attention to eating less and more meals.
There are also some dietary contraindications to avoid aggravating the disease or bleeding from esophageal varices.
(1) Forbidden to eat fried and dry hard food.
(2) Avoid strong condiments.
(3) Avoid drinking alcohol.
Patients with cirrhosis complicated by liver cancer are in poor physical condition. Supplementing nutritional elements through diet plays a vital role in improving patients’ physical condition, and it is also crucial to improve their immunity. We hope that patients with cirrhosis complicated with liver cancer pay more attention to their diet. We say that body is the capital of the revolution, and when you are sick, you should pay more attention to nourish your body so that you can have the strength to fight against viruses and germs and lay a solid foundation for subsequent treatment.