Ascites....am I limited food wise.

[Shalloty59]

I have Ascites. Am I safe to fast one day a week with this condition?

[Roy1955]

Only your Dr could answer that.

Personaly I think it goes again all the guidance that a poorly liver needs fueling little and often though.

[Shalloty59 in reply to Roy1955]

Thanks a lot.

[AyrshireK]

Fasting with advanced liver disease is not advised, eating little and often (carbs and protein) is necessary as your liver will no longer metabolize fat for fuel but will instead burn all your muscle - remember that muscles arn't just on the outside of your body but also inside - your diaphragm that works your breathing and your heart are both muscles. If your 'fast' is for weight loss - the only weight you'll be likely to loose will be muscular.

You need to ask to see a liver specialist dietician to advise on safe and appropriate diet for your stage of liver disease.

Katie

Introduction

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.

Malnutrition (weight loss and muscle wasting) is common in people with liver disease.

Malnutrition has many causes, including decreased food intake due to liver disease symptoms such as:

- Loss of appetite

- Nausea and vomiting

- Feeling full easily which may be due to ascites (fluid collecting around your middle)

- Unnecessary or inappropriate dietary restrictions.

Good nutrition is vital to overcome symptoms of liver disease, by:

- Stopping muscle wasting and feeling weak

- Maintaining strength and mobility

- Reducing hospital admissions

- Helping wounds heal more quickly

- Speeding up recovery from operations and infections

- Helping to prevent ascites and encephalopathy (confusion caused by liver disease) getting worse.

Carbohydrate

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.

It is important that you try and eat regular meals and snacks containing carbohydrate every 2-3 hours.

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

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.

Try to include a good source of protein with at least 3-4 meals every day.

Examples include:

- Meat and poultry

- Fish

- Cheese

- Eggs

- Pulses such as peas, beans (including baked beans) and lentils/dhal

- Meat alternatives such as tofu, soya and Quorn.

[Shalloty59 in reply to AyrshireK]

Thanks very much, very helpful.

[Hidden in reply to AyrshireK]

I have always been confused about cheese as I’ve been told both to eat it because of the protein benefits, but also not to eat it because of the sodium content. I have only found one sliced Swiss cheese that although is classed as having a medium sodium content per 100g, it is only 0.15g per slice. I have tried cheese made with potassium salts rather than sodium chloride, but this didn’t agree with me as I’m on a potassium sparing diuretic.

[Hidden]

Hi,

You have had some great replies on this thread. Please do speak to your liver consultant regarding safe and specific diet guidance.

[Shalloty59 in reply to Hidden]

Cheers

[Zukosmile07]

Hi ShallotyI have ascites and have constant drains.

Some days I have to force myself to eat because I know that protein, sugars and carbs fuel my liver to help with breaking down the toxins in my blood.

If I don't eat then my liver steals protein from my muscles.

It is very difficult to manage and balance between helping your liver and feeling bloated, full and uncomfortable.

Health comes first before feeling overweight. This is my experience and everyone is different.

I hope you manage your diet to which suits you and all the best...

Please keep in mind that your heart is a muscle when fasting.