Whey protein?

[promise0210]

Hi all! My hubby is wanting to get back in shape eventually after we figured out if he's cleared the hep c virus for sure. My question is, is whey protein safe if you have liver issues? I've heard someone say no but I never knew the reasoning. We put a call into his doctor but I just wanted to see if any of you might know. Thank you :-)

[fntn]

Something to keep in mind is that your bones can suffer a great deal of degeneration due to the secondary liver stress. Be sure to assess this with you doctor for any ostedystrophy issues that maybe present as well. Pushing a structurally limited body may cause harm. Tricky compromise, gotta do something but not too much.

[Dee1956]

Thank you so much for sharing this information, I really appreciate
Dee

[AugustineMama]

I go to a transplant clinic at Mayo. I was so protein calorie malnourished they put me on 75 g of protein a day. Red meat makes HE worse and I get my protein from whey added to sugar-free carnation instant breakfast and I eat poached eggs and toast for lunch and a salad with turkey and cheese with an egg usually in the evening. For snacks I still eat the whey which Is unflavored and I can add it to anything. They wanted me to get it from plant based products, fish, chicken and turkey, cheese and eggs. I was a mess and they threatened me with a feeding tube.

[Dee1956]

Thanks so much for the information, as always very helpful.
Dee

[HectorSF]

Everyone who has cirrhosis and portal hypertension should consult their doctor regarding any changes in life style including diet and exercise. Everyone's cirrhosis and its manifestations are unique and need to be managed accordingly.

While protein is an important part of as diet for cirrhotics because the cirrhotic liver is less able to process proteins and thus maintain muscle mass, for those with portal hypertension and its complications, too much protein can trigger an hepatic encephalopathy (HE) episode which is contrary to an improvement if quality of life.    

While maintaining an active lifestyle and "moderate exercise" is important for people having cirrhosis and portal hypertension, to be aware that certain strenuous exercises can increase portal blood pressure (such as lifting heavy weights) can increase the risk of a variceal bleed. Since your husband has been banded I am sure he has been told this by his doctor.

Only his doctor who is aware of the exact details and medical status of his cirrhosis can advise about what is safe and good for him and what could be counter productive.

It sound like he has already made some effective lifestyle changes. Hopefully he will achieve SRV. With the cause of his liver disease gone then his cirrhosis will get a chance to reverse itself and hopefully his symptoms and health will begin to improve over time.

Good luck.
Hector

[promise0210]

Thank you for your information :-). I've been doing protein shakes myself with water, mine was more for weight loss though. He has cirrhosis of the liver stage 4. Enlarged Varicies, enlarged spleen, portal hypertension. What is so odd is if someone didn't know he was sick you would never guess it by his looks. He doesn't have any pain or problems really, mild acities no jaundice. He exercises regularly and we have changed his diet to meet his needs such as low sodium, he eats a lot of chicken. His problem is over the holidays he gained a little weight lol, he's wanting to lose about 10 lbs.

[Dee1956]

Hi I am not a doctor but after I finished treating I noticed that I had muscle wasting in my arms.  Probably from all of the months of being sick and not moving much.  I don't eat red meat, just chicken and fish.  
About a year ago my son gave me a blender and I started to take a protein drink every morning instead of breakfast.  I put the powder, bananas, fruits, veggies in it.

You are right about asking your husbands doctor, I don't know the shape of his liver so it would be a good idea to ask him.
I know of another member who  used water in her protein drinks because the dairy seemed to cause her HE to get worse.
I don't have that problem so I do use milk in mine. There are other people who drink smoothies, perhaps they will stop by.
Take Care

[299tgardener]

I'm not a doctor either but I do have PBC and thought that juicing fruits and vegs would bring down my alkaline phosphatase. I did that for a few months, mostly juicing fruit, BIG mistake. My numbers jumped, apparently too much fruit is bad because of the sugars even many vegs can have too much sugars. If you are going to juice you have to use mostly leafy vegs, its hard to get it down because of taste  and texture but necessary.