Article on “The role of red meat in liver disease”

Published URL : National Courier

Published Date: 11th Aug 2016

By: Itrat Siddiqui

Your liver is the processing plant of your body. Its job is to designate nutrients like proteins and Fats for use and to send the toxins that result from protein breakdown to your Kidneys. How red meat can affect your liver. Because your liver is responsible for breaking down and packaging protein. If you are a healthy individual your liver should be able to breakdown these foods with little difficulty. It is possible that long term excess consumption of red meat could worsen liver problems . If your body cannot breakdown red meat properly the waste product can build up. These toxins can affect your brain functioning known as Hepatic encephalopathy. Each person may react differently to red meat intake .When you have liver disease certain protein may be better tolerated than others, according to the Hepatitis Foundation International. If your liver disease is advanced red meat may not be tolerated as effectively as vegetable and dairy proteins. Few studies have examined whether meat and fat intake are associated with chronic liver disease. Meat processing and its heme iron, Nitrate, and Nitrite content were associated with CLD. Patients can eat as much vegetable protein (dried beans and peas, soya products, peanut butter and others) as they like. In patients with chronic liver disease, anemia may be exacerbated by deficiency of folic acid and/or vitamin B12 that can occur secondary to inadequate dietary intake or malabsorption. A major cause of anemia associated with chronic liver disease is hemorrhage, especially into the gastrointestinal tract. For people who have liver disease, eating a healthy diet makes it easier for the liver to do its jobs and can help repair some liver damage. An unhealthy diet can make the liver work very hard and can cause more damage to it. Dietary changes for liver disease may involve: * Cutting down the amount of protein you eat .This will help the buildup of toxic waste products. * Increasing your intake of carbohydrates to be in proportion with the amount of protein you eat. * Limit your salt intake .Salt in the diet may worsen fluid build up and swelling in the liver. * Try to eat small frequent meals. * Turn 3 large meals into 5 or 6 small meals to get enough calories and protein for muscles and organs. * Choose nutrient rich foods, such as whole milk, instead of skim and dried fruit, instead of fruit juices. * Always have a bedtime snack. Try crackers or bread with unsalted peanut butter to make a sandwich with a glass of whole milk. * Talk to your doctor or dietitian about a nutritional supplement if you cannot eat enough to maintain your muscles.