Cystic Fibrosis Diet

Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary disease which affects the body and leads to scarring and formation of cysts in the pancreas. Other common cystic fibrosis symptoms include difficulty in breathing and recurring bouts of lung infections. Furthermore, sinus infections, decreased growth, diarrhea and even infertility can occur as a result of cystic fibrosis. This basically happens due to the mutation of the gene that is responsible for regulation of sweat, digestive juices and mucus. Thus, due to the mutation of this gene, thick mucus tends to get in the way of proper digestion, absorption and assimilation. This is the reason why following a cystic fibrosis diet is of paramount importance, so that the person gets all the required nutrition. So given below are details regarding the diet that a person suffering from cystic fibrosis needs to follow, so as to ensure that he or she gets all the nutrition that is required by the body.

Diet for People Suffering From Cystic Fibrosis

High Fat Food
A person suffering from cystic fibrosis needs to have a diet that is high in calories. This is mostly because people suffering from cystic fibrosis need to ingest up to 50% more calories compared to a person of the same age, who does not have cystic fibrosis. This is because due to the malabsorption, the person cannot get enough calories that is required by the body. Furthermore, a person who has good nourishment is in a better position to fight off chest infections and other illnesses. This is why, as part of a cystic fibrosis diet, a diet high in fatty foods is also important because people that frequently suffer from chest infections tend to lose a lot of fat in their stools.

A person also needs to ensure that his intake of protein is high (almost double of the normal amount). So the person also needs to follow a high protein diet. However, despite all of this, you need to keep a check on the amount of sugar that you are taking in. This is because as a person gets older, there is progressive scarring of the pancreas. As the pancreas are the organs that are responsible for secreting insulin, there are high chances that a person may land up with diabetes later in life.

Supplements
Approximately 85%, or more of people with cystic fibrosis have pancreatic insufficiency and so, need to take pancreatic enzymes to aid the process of digestion. This is an important part of your cystic fibrosis diet. Different enzymes suit different people, so if you are intolerable to certain types of food, then it is best to visit your doctor and change your dosage of supplements. You should also stop taking these enzymes only on the advice of your doctor. If you do not regularly take your enzymes, as directed by your physician, you run the risk of bowel blockage, which could need hospitalization. You also need to take other supplements like mineral and vitamin supplements. Of the vitamin supplements, it is more important to lay stress on the fat soluble vitamins, that is, vitamins A, D, E and K.

Although cystic fibrosis is said to be one of the most common life shortening inherited diseases in the world, this does not mean that there needs to be a compromised quality of life accompanying this condition. By religiously following a cystic fibrosis diet, one can easily try to attain as many nutrients as possible. This way, one can lead a healthy life, because after all, a healthy life is much more important than a long life!