What is the best diet for CF?

Nutrient Know-How

Like everyone else, guys and girls who have CF should eat a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits and veggies, whole grains, dairy products, and protein. In addition, people with CF have some specific nutritional needs to help them stay healthy.

What foods should CF patients avoid?

Dietary Restrictions

As with any diet, eating foods with empty calories (such as sugar-laden drinks) is not recommended on the cystic fibrosis diet. People with CF need to eat a balanced diet with a variety of bright-colored fruits and vegetables, whole grains, whole-fat dairy products, and healthy protein.

Why is a high-fat diet good for cystic fibrosis?

In CF, the mucus is often thick and sticky. that your body produces makes it hard to absorb fat and nutrients, which is why a good cystic fibrosis diet is one that is high in calories and high in fat.

How many calories should a person with cystic fibrosis have a day?

People with CF typically need up to twice the amount of daily calories as others who are of similar age and weight. To gain weight, you will need to take in about an extra 500 calories a day.

How much protein do CF patients need?

It is important to note that there are no official recommendations; however, experts recommend that those with a chronic disease should get 1.5 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day and more during an exacerbation.

CF Foundation | Nutrition and GI Health

How do you slow down cystic fibrosis?

Is coffee good for cystic fibrosis?

This characteristic of patients with CF makes consuming large quantities of caffeine an unwise choice. The diuretic properties of caffeine, which causes frequent urination, can endanger a patient who is already at risk of dehydration based on the underlying pathogenesis of their inherited disease.

What causes cystic fibrosis flare ups?

As your body's immune system tries to fight these trapped germs, your lungs can become inflamed or swollen. Infections can cause CF symptoms to get worse for a period of time, also known as flare-ups. Over time, repeated infections may even cause lung damage.

What organ is most affected by CF?

CF mainly affects the pancreas. The pancreas secretes substances that aid digestion and help control blood sugar levels. The secretions from the pancreas also become thick and can clog the ducts of the pancreas. This may cause a decrease in the secretion of enzymes from the pancreas that normally help digest food.

Does CF worsen with age?

Cystic fibrosis tends to get worse over time and can be fatal if it leads to a serious infection or the lungs stop working properly. But people with cystic fibrosis are now living for longer because of advancements in treatment. Currently, about half of people with cystic fibrosis will live past the age of 40.

Does cystic fibrosis affect hair?

Factors that contribute to hair loss with cystic fibrosis

Insufficient production of pancreatic enzymes results in malabsorption of some vitamins, such as the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. It turns out that all of the fat-soluble vitamins contribute to healthy hair development.

What is the best drink for cystic fibrosis?

Coconut water is a great drink to help avoid dehydration and is full of electrolytes. Natural fruit juices and smoothies are great for quenching thirst and adding calories, but try to stay clear of juices with added sugars.

Does drinking water help cystic fibrosis?

Keeping well hydrated can help to keep the mucus in the lungs thinner and make your airway clearance easier, as well as help keep food moving through your gut. There is some evidence that people with CF do not always feel thirsty when their bodies need more fluid.

What vitamin helps cystic fibrosis?

People with CF also need to get water-soluble vitamins, which include vitamin C and the B-complex vitamins, folic acid, biotin, and pantothenic acid. They are called water-soluble because they are easily absorbed with water in the body.

How can I improve my CF lung function?

Deep breathing and diaphragmatic breathing allow the lungs to fully inflate and deflate, helping to increase lung capacity and get more oxygen into the blood stream. Counting your breaths helps you determine how long you can inhale and exhale for which can also improve lung function.

Are we close to a cure for CF?

Currently there's no cure for rare types of cystic fibrosis, but researchers are making significant advances. Current treatments for cystic fibrosis are not suitable for all patients.

How do cystic fibrosis patients sleep?

Adults with CF had lower oxygen saturation nadirs, with a trend towards reduced sleep efficiency and no differences in REM sleep. In addition, patients with CF cough more during sleep and experience painful events that interfere with sleep. Actigraphy and questionnaires suggest disturbed sleep and daytime sleepiness.

Why do CF patients need salt?

Sodium Chloride (Salt)

Not getting enough salt can interfere with growth; reduce appetite; and cause stomach pain, weakness, muscle cramps, nausea and headache. People with CF lose a lot of salt in their sweat, so they must eat more salty foods, especially during hot, humid weather.

Why milk is good for cystic fibrosis?

Calcium. Kids with CF, especially those with pancreatic insufficiency, are at risk for osteopenia or osteoporosis (weak, brittle bones). Dairy products are good sources of calcium (and the full-fat varieties also are good sources of fat and calories).

What can you not do with cystic fibrosis?

Avoid activities that put you near other people with CF, to lower the risk of spreading sickness. Frequently wash your hands with soap and water. Clean and disinfect your medical equipment properly. Don't share items that come into contact with saliva (straws or utensils) with other people -- even family.

What is the oldest living person with cystic fibrosis?

At 86, Marlene Pryson may be one of the oldest individuals living with cystic fibrosis.

Do people with cystic fibrosis look normal?

People with cystic fibrosis (CF) often look healthy, but it's a life-limiting condition that affects those living with it in many ways. The condition is caused by a genetic mutation that means cells in the human body are unable to move salt and water around effectively.

Can you have mild CF?

Another factor is that the disease can range from mild to severe in different people. The age at which symptoms first appear varies as well. Some people with cystic fibrosis were diagnosed as babies, while others are not diagnosed until they are older.

Can people with CF get Covid?

People with CF who have had a lung or any solid-organ transplant may be particularly vulnerable to serious illness from COVID-19 due to medications that suppress their immune systems to prevent organ rejection.

What is the leading cause of death in CF patients?

Mucus in CF patients is very thick and accumulates in the intestines and lungs. The result is malnutrition, poor growth, frequent respiratory infections, breathing difficulties, and eventually permanent lung damage. Lung disease is the usual cause of death in most patients.