Nutrition Aspects of Liver Failure

Abstract

Because the liver performs hundreds of metabolic functions, nutritional status and nutrient metabolism are altered in individuals with liver disease. This chapter reviews relationships between nutritional status and liver disease, describes effects of malnutrition and nutrition support on outcomes, and defines nutrition therapies for patients with liver disease. Objective nutrition assessment parameters are often confounded by symptoms of liver disease; therefore, subject global assessment criteria are often applied. The degree of nutrition is influenced by the type and severity of fiver disease. The cause of malnutrition is multifactorial including diet inadequacy, malabsorption, gastrointestinal symptoms and altered nutrient metabolism. Nutrition supplementation (through oral, tube feeding or parenteral routes) can be used to supply macro- and micronutrients to patients at nutritional risk. Protein should not be restricted for patients with liver disease. Calories, electrolytes, fluid, vitamins and minerals should be individualized for each patient taking into consideration his/her nutritional status, type and stage of liver disease, and medical treatments. There is not strong evidence to support the use of herbal supplements in individuals with liver failure.