If osteoporosis is present, a calcium supplement may be used to help prevent any further bone loss. Malnutrition Malnutrition, literally meaning bad nutrition, is a term used to describe a person is not getting the essential nutrients necessary for proper body function. Many people with cirrhosis are malnourished due to their symptoms and the body's additional energy requirements due to disease. Worsening this situation, the decreased production of bile by the damaged liver may impair the body's ability to absorb nutrients. Diet restrictions such as low sodium and low protein can also impact food choices and food taste and decreasing intake of food.
Malnutrition can result in decreased immune function and decreased ability to heal.
People who find themselves eating less, losing more than 10 pounds in one month, or having difficulty finding enough food to eat because of a restrictive diet should consult their physician and a dietitian to discuss meal planning to optimize nutrition without compromising liver health. Portal Hypertension and Gastrointestinal Bleeding. Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Management. Pennsylvania, W.B. Saunders Company, pp. Treatment of Patients with Cirrhosis and Ascites.