Cirrhosis Support Group
Cirrhosis is a consequence of chronic liver disease, most commonly caused by alcoholism and hepatitis C. Ascites is the most common complication of cirrhosis and is associated with a poor quality of life, increased risk of infections, and a poor long term outcome. Liver damage from cirrhosis cannot be reversed, but treatment can stop or delay further progression and...
About a year ago I was diagnosed as diabetic after a fasting blood glucose test.
I needed to lose about 20lb in weight and cut out some of the carbohydrates from my diet,
I have done the above and although I don't need to take diabetic meds my blood glucose level is still high ( thats over 7 mm in the UK or 126 as measured in the USA)
When I mentioned this to the Hep Doc he said oh yes this is to be expected as cirrhosis usually effects the pancreas which produces Insulin,
I Don''t want to give you all something else to worry about but if you have Insulin resistance Exercise and modifying Diet may be a good idea,
It's not something doctors seem to mention much unless asked about
The cut out below is from the Mayo clinic web site.
Cirrhosis
There is an increased incidence of cirrhosis in diabetic patients, and, conversely, at least 80% of patients with cirrhosis have glucose intolerance.46,47 The reported prevalence of cirrhosis in diabetes varies widely. Diabetes increases the risk of steatohepatitis, which can progress to cirrhosis. Obesity is a significant confounding variable in determining the prevalence of cirrhosis in diabetes. Even with normal glucose tolerance, obesity can cause steatohepatitis and cirrhosis. Likewise, the lack of a clear definition of diabetes in the past somewhat confounds these statistics.
I needed to lose about 20lb in weight and cut out some of the carbohydrates from my diet,
I have done the above and although I don't need to take diabetic meds my blood glucose level is still high ( thats over 7 mm in the UK or 126 as measured in the USA)
When I mentioned this to the Hep Doc he said oh yes this is to be expected as cirrhosis usually effects the pancreas which produces Insulin,
I Don''t want to give you all something else to worry about but if you have Insulin resistance Exercise and modifying Diet may be a good idea,
It's not something doctors seem to mention much unless asked about
The cut out below is from the Mayo clinic web site.
Cirrhosis
There is an increased incidence of cirrhosis in diabetic patients, and, conversely, at least 80% of patients with cirrhosis have glucose intolerance.46,47 The reported prevalence of cirrhosis in diabetes varies widely. Diabetes increases the risk of steatohepatitis, which can progress to cirrhosis. Obesity is a significant confounding variable in determining the prevalence of cirrhosis in diabetes. Even with normal glucose tolerance, obesity can cause steatohepatitis and cirrhosis. Likewise, the lack of a clear definition of diabetes in the past somewhat confounds these statistics.
Great post! I know much less about how diabetes and cirrhosis interacts with one another.
However, I am very much aware that the way that Type 2 Diabetics can best control their blood sugars is by diet and exercise as Gail has also pointed on another thread.
Through some diabetic friends I happen to know, the general goal is not eat a lot of sweets, and to limit total carbs to about 50 grams per meal.
I am also aware of some advocates who strongly believe in reducing total daily carbohydrate intake much less than this, and claim it can reverse Type 2 Diabetes. There is scientific evidence that supports this claim.
The very popular (often controversial) Adkins Diet recommends that patients reduce their carb intake to 20 grams per day for the first two weeks, and then add carbs back into your diet in increments of 5 grams per week until you are satisfied with your rate of weight loss or weight maintenance.
My personal opinion is that this might be too extreme of a diet and too hard on the body for many people who suffer from a chronic disease like cirrhosis. This is why I would advocate a modified version of this diet that focuses on gradual weight loss, and lower fat proteins in contrast to the Adkins diet which promotes the concept that a diet that is high in fat is acceptable.
Jeff
Eat balanced. Live longer. :)
Thanks for emphasizing the point of the potential hazards of a cirrhosis patient following a diet that would make the kidneys work too hard. I completely agree with you, and if someone had not read my post carefully enough, he or she might think I was advocating the Atkins Diet (thanks also for providing the correct spelling) which I am not.
However, the Atkins Diet does have a few good points which are: 1) Get rid of all carbs high in sugar (e.g. junk food). 2) learn to not consume anymore carbs than what your body needs.
Having said this, the process of how the Atkins Diet proposes that this should be achieved by having the body spill ketones (essentially starving your body) is what is unhealthy, especially for those with liver disease. The Atkins diet also sadly advocates high fat consumption and even doing without fruits & veggies in the beginning phase of its diet.
I guess the only area where I agree with the Atkins Diet is that too many carbs is one of the principal causes that lead to Type 2 Diabetes, metabolic syndrome, Pre-Diabetes, and Obesity which can all can lead to fatty liver disease, NASH, and cirrhosis.
However, I should not give the Atkins Diet too much credit for recognizing the problem of too many carbs. The problem of too many carbs is best addressed by adhering to as you have said a balanced diet
Jeff
made weight loss far easier than just concentrating on calories although most carbo food is also hight cal.
The fact is most convenient foods are high carb, so snacking is generally bad and fast food seems bad from both the type of fat it contains and also is high in carbs
The latest I read is how good eggs are and do not seem to raised cholesterol
Even recommended for heart patients according to the New York Times.