Anxiety and Salt Intake?

[Todohert]

My husband has compensated cirrhosis. We are eating plant based diet and he has lost 51 pounds so far. He has no symptoms as of yet but I feel like I’m always checking his eyes to see if they are jaundice or asking how he feels and if he is having bowel movements. I know I’m driving him crazy. Can someone let me know if by doing all the things he is doing (plant based and losing weight) will keep his cirrhosis from getting worse? I don’t know why my anxiety about this suddenly appears. His doctor says he could go a long time before his liver starts showing signs of wear and tear. He is 55 and has NAFLD or NASH related cirrhosis.

My second question is he is on no restrictions, but I’m watching our salt intake because why wait until your liver is worse. What is a good amount of salt to have each day?

Thank you for reading this long post. I guess I just need some encouragement today.

[Hidden]

Hi

I would just like to say you are doing great and are a great support to your husband. I'm not sure how much salt but I do know we shouldn't have much. On the diet front you have to try and high protein, low fats , salt and sugar I think. I'm sure someone will be along to help you shortly. Please take care.. Lynne

[TwirlerGirl]

Hello, you’re a great support for your hubby! For salt, I stick to less than the 1500mg per day recommendation (less than 1 tsp), as opposed to the “normal person” 2300mg per day, and have become a focused label-reader 😉. Incredible amounts of salt in our typical prepared foods at the grocery store. I made my own soup for the first time ever, (I’m 64 🙄), and I’m learning how to make different kinds, as there’s too much salt in most of the canned versions.

Hope that’s of some use; Keep up the good work!

[Willagray]

I HAVE STAGE FOR CIRRHOSIS (NASH). I AM TRYING TO LOSE WEIGHT--IT'S SLOW--WEIGHT ABOUT 70 POUNDS LESS THAN MY HIGHEST. I LIMIT MY SALT. WAS TOLD NOT TO EVEN DRINK DIET SOFT DRINKS. I FEEL I'M EATING HEALTHIER THAN I EVER HAVE. HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO IT WITHOUT JOINING ANY WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM, TOO. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY MY GP THAT NASH CIRRHOSIS CAN BE REVERSED WITH A LOT OF WEIGHT LOSS. SHE'D JUST BEEN TO A CONFERENCE WHERE A GASTRO DOCTOR SPOKE ON THIS. I KNOW IT'S SAID CIRRHOSIS CAN'T BE REVERSED. HOWEVER, THIS INFO GAVE ME HOPE. I'M GLAD YOU ARE SUPPORTING YOUR HUSBAND. SOUNDS LIKE HE'S REALLY DOING ALL HE CAN. ACTUALLY, I GUESS IT'S ALL ANY OF US CAN. BLESSINGS TO YOU

[one2one]

oops 😬, I feel the biggest problem is your anxiety, you are very supportive which is obvious, don’t go looking for signs and symptoms. I’m sure he would tell you if he was feeling uncomfortable ( yes ).

Salt ... we all need some regardless. It helps control water transportation, and carries electrical impulses in nerves. Most salt people eat comes from processed foods and foods prepared in restaurants, obviously a Nono for us.

So the answer is still vague, as yet no one can actually answer our question about amounts regarding salt intake. I’ve never really added salt to anything anyway, prefer pepper. I have started adding a little dried mixed herbs or spices to some meals, definitely adds to the taste.

Now take care both of you.

Focus on what you can control,

And let go of what you can’t.

😜 chrissie.

[CirroShis]

You're right to guide him before it becomes cirrhosis. Drs. don't usually give restrictions unless he is retaining water in his stomach and/or legs....but too much salt, sugar, fatty foods....you know...'the good stuff' can lead him into dangerous territory. Experts say less than a teaspoon of salt a day.....i don't do nearly that; read everything in a package to see salt and sugar/fat content. Don't cook with oils, stay away from fatty meats...and chicken is a very fatty meat! Dressings, all canned pop/diet as well. Anything you've read from a health organization that isn't good. Look up guidelines from Liver Institutes, stay away from hospital cafeterias - the worst ever; Go this route yourself as an example to him; try cooking and altering recipes substituting. A million recipes on the web and/or info. how to do this. Stay away from all alcohol. Best of luck....not easy at all, but well worth it - your body, brain will thank you....and the compliments will roll in. All the best,

D/Canada