Muscle wasting?

[Yokoohno]

My friend w esld, I noticed is losing muscle. His arms used to be normal size and are thinning. Sadly, we are not close anymore, but I still am interested in his health. He's a heavy drinker, w help and leukemia, but a Scrappy fighter!! Is muscle wasting something to be alarmed about. Ty BLT

[Yokoohno]

hep c, not HELP LOL

[AyrshireK]

The following is an extract from liver diet leaflet we were given at liver transplant unit:-

When your liver is not working well or when you have liver disease, your body needs extra energy (calories) and protein. This is because sometimes your body cannot digest and absorb its food properly and therefore is unable to store and use energy.

When you eat starchy carbohydrate it is broken down into sugar (glucose). This is your body’s main energy source. Some of this energy is stored in your muscles and liver as a starch called glycogen. This is a back-up energy store to be used later when it is needed, between meals, if you have missed a meal or during a long fast such as overnight.

The liver co-ordinates the release of this energy until you next have something to eat; these energy stores are then replaced at your next meal. If the liver is not working properly and you develop liver disease symptoms, the liver cannot replace this store.

The energy from the food you eat only lasts for 2 hours.

If you have liver disease and have no energy stores, your body must find an alternative source of energy after this time. Fat tissue is hard to break down quickly, so instead your body will break down its own muscles for energy. If this continues, your muscles will get weaker and waste away.

To prevent muscle being used for energy and to keep you strong, it is important to ‘re-fuel’ your body regularly. Eating meals and snacks containing starchy carbohydrate every 2-3 hours provides enough energy to stop your body breaking down its own muscles.

Protein is essential to build and repair body tissue.

When your liver is not working properly your body needs more protein than usual. Extra protein in your diet can help to prevent further muscle breakdown and re-build lost muscle.

Your friend is going to be in a bad way if he's continuing heavy drinking (his body is getting calories from booze but these arn't going to fuel his body adequately) plus if his liver is under attack from Hep C on top of the booze and also his body battling cancer then he's very poorly.

Katie

[Yokoohno in reply to AyrshireK]

Thank you Katy, for another wealth of information. He's 55, and does as he pleases. I've no influence anymore to educated and advise him. I'm led to believe he cannot get harvoni, because he won't quit drinking. He's had ascities a number of times. The Drs wanted to put in a draining device. I just noticed his once strong arms are skinnier!! He's full of energy though. A real Street fighter. But often drinks until a need for detox. I have nafld myself and am learning. Ty God bless