Eating A Low-sodium Diet When You Have Cirrhosis: Why Should I Eat A Low Salt Diet If I Have Cirrhosis

Eating A Low-sodium Diet When You Have Cirrhosis
Introduction
What is the effect of sodium on my cirrhosis?
Why should I eat a low-salt diet if I have cirrhosis?
How can I limit the sodium in my diet?
Where to go from here
Credits

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Why should I eat a low-salt diet if I have cirrhosis?

Limiting sodium in your diet helps prevent your body from retaining extra fluid, which will make you feel better and may prevent or delay complications such as ascites and breathing difficulties. Eating a low-salt diet is the surest way to reduce your sodium intake. Salt contains a great deal of sodium—1 teaspoon contains 2 g (2,000 mg). This amount alone nearly meets the recommendation of the U.S. Daily Value for sodium, which is 2,300 mg. The typical U.S. diet includes about 4,000 mg of sodium per day.

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Last updated:	February 10, 2006
Author:	Lila Havens
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Steven L. Flamm, MD - Gastroenterology
Editors:	Katy E. Magee, MA, Tracy Landauer

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