A rational basis for the use of low sodium, high protein diet therapy in Laennec's cirrhosis.

Abstract

DURING the past three years clinical and metabolic studies 1 on patients with Laennec's cirrhosis have demonstrated the value of diets high in protein and calories and low in sodium in the management of this disease. Diet therapy is only one part of the total regimen; other important features are rest, general supportive therapy and prohibition of alcohol and hepatotoxic drugs. All these are necessary to protect the liver from further damage, speed regeneration of hepatic cells, correct tissue wasting and restore hormonal and metabolic aberrations to normal. From the practical point of view it is not easy for the dietitian to provide a palatable high protein diet which is low in sodium without the use of special low sodium protein preparations. It appears, however, that this difficulty may be overcome by the oral use of ion exchange resins, 2 which absorb large amounts of sodium from the bowel and