Nutrient Know-How. Like everyone else, guys and girls who have CF should eat a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits and veggies, whole grains, dairy products, and protein. In addition, people with CF have some specific nutritional needs to help them stay healthy.
What foods should be avoided with cystic fibrosis?
Dietary Restrictions
As with any diet, eating foods with empty calories (such as sugar-laden drinks) is not recommended on the cystic fibrosis diet. People with CF need to eat a balanced diet with a variety of bright-colored fruits and vegetables, whole grains, whole-fat dairy products, and healthy protein.
What is the best diet for a child with cystic fibrosis?
Children with CF may need 2,000-2,800 calories daily. It is important to remember that a balanced diet is vital for the whole family. This includes dairy products; grains and starches; fruits and vegetables; and proteins such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs and peanut butter.
Why is high fat diet for cystic fibrosis?
In CF, the mucus is often thick and sticky. that your body produces makes it hard to absorb fat and nutrients, which is why a good cystic fibrosis diet is one that is high in calories and high in fat.
What is the best diet for cystic fibrosis? – Related Questions
What foods help with fibrosis?
Eat a diet low in sodium (salt), added sugars, saturated and trans fat. Try and get most of your calories from lean meats and fish, fruits, whole grains, beans, vegetables and low-fat dairy products.
Do people with cystic fibrosis need a special diet?
People with cystic fibrosis should have a balanced diet although many will require more energy (calories), to maintain a healthy body weight. For some people with CF it can be very difficult to maintain a healthy weight.
Is high protein good for cystic fibrosis?
Cystic fibrosis is a disease that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in your lungs and digestive tract. You need to eat high-calorie, high-protein foods throughout the day to maintain a normal weight because your disease makes it hard to get enough calories from the foods you eat.
Can people with cystic fibrosis eat salt?
Sodium Chloride (Salt)
Not getting enough salt can interfere with growth; reduce appetite; and cause stomach pain, weakness, muscle cramps, nausea and headache. People with CF lose a lot of salt in their sweat, so they must eat more salty foods, especially during hot, humid weather.
Why milk is good for cystic fibrosis?
Calcium. Teens with CF, especially those with pancreatic insufficiency, are at risk for osteopenia or osteoporosis (weak, brittle bones). Dairy products are good sources of calcium (and the full-fat varieties also are good sources of fat and calories).
Why do cystic fibrosis patients need a high protein diet?
Cystic fibrosis is a disease that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in your lungs and digestive tract. You need to eat high-calorie, high-protein foods throughout the day to maintain a normal weight because your disease makes it hard to get enough calories from the foods you eat.
Why do cystic fibrosis patients need fat soluble vitamins?
People with cystic fibrosis have trouble absorbing fats, which means they have trouble absorbing vitamins that need fat to be absorbed — A, D, E, and K. These fat-soluble vitamins are critical to normal growth and good nutrition.
Why do people with cystic fibrosis have fat in their stools?
About 90 percent of people with CF have sticky mucus that blocks ducts in the pancreas and prevents enzymes from reaching the small intestine to digest food. Undigested food in the intestines can cause pain, cramping, gas, and either loose, greasy, floating stools or constipation and blockages.
How does cystic fibrosis cause fat malabsorption?
In people with CF, malabsorption can be caused in two ways: Thick mucus stops the pancreas from sending enzymes into the intestines, which are needed for the body to absorb nutrients in food. A defect in the intestines prevents nutrients from passing into the bloodstream.
What is the most common complication of cystic fibrosis?
The most serious and common complications of cystic fibrosis are problems with the lungs, also known as pulmonary or respiratory problems, which may include serious lung infections.
What vitamin deficiency is common in cystic fibrosis?
Vitamin D insufficiency is common in patients with cystic fibrosis. Vitamin D status is important for bone health, lung and immune function in patients with cystic fibrosis. Treatment of vitamin D insufficiency in patients with cystic fibrosis requires high dose cholecalciferol or ergocalciferol.
What vitamin deficiency causes cystic fibrosis?
Cystic Fibrosis is the most common inherited genetic respiratory disorder in the Western World. Hypovitaminosis D is almost universal in CF patients, likely due to a combination of inadequate absorption, impaired metabolism, and lack of sun exposure.
What kills cystic fibrosis patients?
Introduction. Lung damage secondary to chronic infection is the main determinant of morbidity and mortality in individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) [1], [2].
What triggers cystic fibrosis?
Cystic fibrosis is caused by a change (mutation) in the gene that makes cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) protein. To have CF, a baby must get two copies of the CF gene, one from each parent.
What is the root cause of cystic fibrosis?
Cystic fibrosis is caused by a change, or mutation, in a gene called CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator). This gene controls the flow of salt and fluids in and out of your cells. If the CFTR gene doesn’t work the way it should, a sticky mucus builds up in your body.
What is the most common cause of death in cystic fibrosis?
Respiratory failure is the most common cause of death. Acute exacerbations. People with cystic fibrosis may experience worsening of their respiratory symptoms, such as coughing with more mucus and shortness of breath. This is called an acute exacerbation and requires treatment with antibiotics.
