Nutrition for liver diseases

Description

The liver is a metabolically very active organ. It plays a central role in the processing, storage and redistribution of nutrients ingested with food. Fatty liver and hepatitis are among the most common liver diseases in the general population; as a rule, both disorders have a relatively mild course and nutritional therapy plays only a minor role. Excessive alcohol consumption is widespread and is one of the main causes of malnutrition in developed countries.

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Learning objectives

After you have completed this topic...

• know the functions of the liver, the consequences of liver dysfunction and the most important liver diseases
• know the reasons for malnutrition in liver diseases and the importance of fats, carbohydrates and proteins in the diet for the various clinical pictures
• have an overview of the vitamin, mineral and trace element requirements for different liver diseases and know when supplementation is indicated