Dietary Recommendations for Fat for Those with Hepatitis/Liver Disease
As a general rule, no more than 30 percent of a person’s caloric intake should come from fat. That’s the absolute maximum. Ideally, a person should aim for something in the neighborhood of 10 to 20 percent. People who are overweight should aim for 10 percent. While it is important to eat as little fat as possible, eating a small amount of the more healthy fats does have some benefit. Fat supplies the body with a source of reserve energy. In emergency situations, stored body fat is transformed into energy. It is this stored fat that keeps people warm on cold winter days. Also, certain fatty acids are necessary for the normal functioning of some bodily processes. These fats, which are known as essential fatty acids, perform (as the name suggests) a variety of duties that are essential to the proper functioning of the body. However, it should be pointed out that as little as a tablespoon of polyunsaturated fat a day can provide all of the essential fatty acids that the body needs. In addition, people need some fat in order to properly absorb the four fat-soluble vitamins—A, D, E, and K. Without some fat, these vitamins may become deficient in the body, even if they are taken in supplemental form. This type of vitamin deficiency sometimes occurs in people with cholestatic diseases, such as primary biliary cirrhosis. Lastly, fat helps make food tastier. This is important for people who suffer from a suppressed appetite due to chronic liver disease.
Most people are familiar with the fact that saturated fats are less healthy than unsaturated fats. What accounts for this? Well, most saturated fats tend to be hard or solid at room temperature. Therefore, they have the ability to clog arteries and boost cholesterol levels. Polyunsaturated fats, which are liquid at room temperature, don’t do this. So, it’s best to stay on a diet that is low in saturated fats. (Keep in mind that fish fat is more liquid than chicken fat, which is more liquid than beef fat.)
All contents of this article are Copyright © Melissa Palmer, MD
Melissa Palmer, MD is the author of " Dr. Melissa Palmer's Guide of Hepatitis and Liver Disease". (Published 2004. Penguin Putnam).
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