Habitual pattern of food intake in patients with liver disease

Patients with liver disease are frequently undernourished. We determined the habitual pattern of energy intake and intake of protein, fat, carbohydrate and alcohol in patients with liver disease. 20 Patients differing with respect to cause, duration and severity of liver disease reported their habitual food intake using a 7-day food record. Control subjects formed a representative sample of the Dutch population. The results showed that patients with liver disease, had a significantly decreased daily energy intake (both expressed in absolute values and per kg body mass), compared with control subjects. Total fat intake was reduced in patients, whereas total intake of protein, carbohydrate and alcohol was similar to the control group. In the first 4 hours after rising, energy and protein intake were significantly increased in the patient group. During the evening the consumption of protein was lower in patients with liver disease than in control subjects. These findings are probably functional in order to minimize episodes of catabolism.