Why is protein low in cirrhosis?
Abstract. Protein deficiency is often associated with liver disease. The principal cause of protein deficiency is decreased dietary intake. Deficiencies in digestion and absorption that are common in alcoholics contribute to protein deficiency in alcoholic liver disease.
Why do I need to follow a high protein diet? Cirrhosis is a catabolic disease, meaning that you are burning a lot of energy. For this reason, your calorie and protein needs are higher than before. Some people experience muscle loss due to their body's increased energy needs.
- increased levels of the liver enzymes alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
- increased levels of bilirubin.
- decreased levels of blood proteins.
Treatment
In patients with compensated cirrhosis without malnutrition, the ingestion of 1.2–1.5 g/kg(weight) daily protein is recommended.
If your total protein levels were low, it may mean you have one of the following conditions: Liver disease. Kidney disease. Malnutrition, a condition in which your body does not get the calories, vitamins, and/or minerals needed for good health.
In patients with advanced and decompensated cirrhosis, serum albumin levels are low because of a reduction in the hepatocyte mass due to disease per se and multiple therapeutic interventions.
Dietary changes for liver disease may involve: Reducing the amount of animal protein you eat. This will help limit the buildup of toxic waste products. Increasing your intake of carbohydrates to be in proportion with the amount of protein you eat.
Purpose of review: Liver cirrhosis in the advanced state is characterized by protein wasting, as indicated by the loss of muscle mass, hypoalbuminemia, and an abnormal amino acid profile. The protein wasting condition cirrhosis is associated with a poor prognosis and reduced survival.
The liver is vital in maintaining the body's protein and nitrogen metabolism. Proteins in foods can be broken down into amino acids in the intestine and delivered to the liver for use in making body proteins.
Patients with advanced cirrhosis almost always have hypoalbuminemia caused both by decreased synthesis by the hepatocytes and water and sodium retention that dilutes the content of albumin in the extracellular space.
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