Salt and liver disease

[bazizi-Islam]

Hi all,

I am wondering is it necessary to reduce salt (sodium) if one does not have cirrhosis yet or portal hypertension. Essentially my question is Why is salt bad for liver disease if one does not have cirrhosis?

B.

[nash2 Partner]

Well, I suppose the key word is necessary. Salt makes your system work harder. If that is OK with you then it isn't necessary. If your goal is to reduce your risk it is just good practice so it is really a choice of what risks work for you.

[nash2 Partner]

excess salt isn't good for anyone. It is one of those personal choices of do you treat yourself well before you get sick or deal with the emergency of a cirrhosis diagnosis. It doesn't drive the fat processes but has a big effect on how the fluids in your body work so it affects your overall well being.

[bazizi-Islam in reply to nash2]

Got it thanks, Wayne. Like Ben Franklin said I suppose " an ounce of prevention vs a poud of cure" my memory of it :). I appreciate your help.

B

[EVAN1968 in reply to bazizi-Islam]

They told me to not use any salt at all look for a salt substitute

[EVAN1968 in reply to EVAN1968]

When liver disease progresses it can lead to cirrhosis, the permanent hardening, shrinking, scarring and reduced functioning of the liver. Upon being diagnosed with cirrhosis, physicians typically advise their patients to completely avoid, or significantly restrict, sodium intake. With all of the lifestyle changes demanded of a person with advancing liver disease, avoiding sodium can seem like yet another restriction on your culinary freedom. However, passing on foods with salt is more than just a casual recommendation – the pathology of cirrhosis makes it a necessity.

Osmosis

Consuming salt fosters water retention. When in the blood supply, salt draws water out of the surrounding cells into the blood via osmosis. Remembering back to high school chemistry, osmosis is the tendency of concentrations across semi-permeable barriers to equalize. This is easily illustrated when salted water flows from an area of low salt concentration to an area of high salt concentration until both are of the same concentration. Because the body’s cells work best when a constant state is maintained, we are hardwired to keep mineral concentrations (such as salt) balanced. Therefore, the more salt in a person’s diet, the more fluid the body retains in an effort to dilute the salt.

for you that are sick with advanced liver disease this for you

[bazizi-Islam in reply to EVAN1968]

It's it bcuz of portal hypertension only or bcuz other problems can come up too.