From the Guidelines
Cirrhosis is a chronic liver condition characterized by the growth of scar tissue instead of healthy liver tissue, and it is significantly influenced by dietary factors, such as a high intake of sugars, refined carbohydrates, and saturated fats, which can increase the risk of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. According to a recent study published in 2024 1, a diet high in sugars and refined carbohydrates has been linked to cirrhosis, a leading cause of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Key factors that contribute to the development and progression of cirrhosis include:
- A high consumption of proteins, which has been linked to an increased risk of hepatic encephalopathy, a complication of cirrhosis that affects brain function
- A high intake of saturated and monounsaturated fats, which has been associated with an increased risk of liver fibrosis
- A low consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which has been linked to a higher risk of liver fibrosis
- A low intake of dietary fiber, which has been connected to cirrhosis and its complications, such as liver encephalopathy and variceal hemorrhage
- A diet rich in red and processed meat, which has been linked to an increased risk of liver fibrosis, a precursor to cirrhosis, as found in a 2019 study cited in 1. In contrast, a Mediterranean-style diet rich in vegetables, whole grains, fruits, seafood, and olive oil may help improve liver function and reduce the risk of cirrhosis-related abnormalities, as suggested by 1.
From the Research
Definition of Cirrhosis
- Cirrhosis is defined as the pathologic scarring of liver tissue that leads to impaired liver function 2.
- It is characterized by inflammation, necrosis, advanced fibrosis, and regenerative nodule formation, and is the end-stage of chronic liver disease 3.
- Cirrhosis is a frequent consequence of the long clinical course of all chronic liver diseases and is characterized by tissue fibrosis and the conversion of normal liver architecture into structurally abnormal nodules 4.
Causes and Risk Factors
- Cirrhosis can result from any etiology of chronic liver inflammation, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, viral hepatitis, and alcohol use 2.
- Long-term inflammation can cause continuous damage to liver tissues and hepatocytes, along with increased vascular tone and portal hypertension 3.
- Fibrosis is a common outcome of most chronic inflammatory diseases, characterized by the accumulation of excessive extracellular matrix components 5.
Diagnosis and Treatment
- Cirrhosis is typically diagnosed with a history, physical examination, and noninvasive testing, which includes laboratory tests, combination scoring indices, and imaging (eg, ultrasonography, transient elastography) 2.
- Liver biopsy remains the reference standard for diagnosis and the gold standard of staging liver fibrosis 2, 5.
- Effective treatment of chronic liver disease can lead to a variable degree of fibrosis regression, and new markers able to evaluate this process will need to be detected and validated 6.
- Therapeutic strategies for cirrhosis include lifestyle improvement, small molecular agents, traditional Chinese medicine, stem cells, extracellular vesicles, and gut remediation, that regulate liver fibrosis and liver cirrhosis 3.