What is the most impaired nutrient in cystic fibrosis?

Fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E, and K). These vitamins are important for immune function, growth, and healing. They're absorbed along with fat. Most kids with CF have trouble digesting and absorbing fat, which means they may not absorb fat-soluble vitamins.

What is the most common vitamin deficiency in CF?

Vitamin D deficiency is common in individuals with cystic fibrosis due to impaired absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, decreased sunlight exposure, and suboptimal intake of vitamin D-containing foods and/or supplements.

Does cystic fibrosis affect nutrition?

Cystic fibrosis is a disease that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in your lungs and digestive tract. You need to eat high-calorie, high-protein foods throughout the day to maintain a normal weight because your disease makes it hard to get enough calories from the foods you eat.

What nutrition does cystic fibrosis need?

People with CF are also usually encouraged to eat as much as they'd like of high-calorie, high-fat, high-salt foods, along with fruits and vegetables. A diet with 40 percent of total calories from fat is generally recommended.

Does cystic fibrosis cause vitamin A deficiency?

Cystic fibrosis can lead to certain vitamins, such as vitamin A, not being properly absorbed by the body. This can result in problems caused by vitamin deficiency. A lack of vitamin A (vitamin A deficiency) can cause specific problems such as eye and skin problems.

What Is Cystic Fibrosis?

Can CF cause vitamin K deficiency?

INTRODUCTION. Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) are at risk of developing deficiencies of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) because of pancreatic insufficiency, hepatobiliary disease, or both (1, 2).

Does cystic fibrosis cause iron deficiency?

Iron deficiency (ID) has been frequently reported in cystic fibrosis (CF) and is attributed to a combination of chronic inflammation, impaired dietary iron absorption, malnutrition, and increased iron loss via sputum [2].

What can people with cystic fibrosis not eat?

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.

What causes malnutrition in cystic fibrosis?

Malabsorption leads to malnutrition

In people with CF, malabsorption can be caused in two ways: Thick mucus stops the pancreas from sending enzymes into the intestines, which are needed for the body to absorb nutrients in food. A defect in the intestines prevents nutrients from passing into the bloodstream.

Do you limit protein with cystic fibrosis?

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.

Why does CF cause fat malabsorption?

Most cystic fibrosis (CF) patients malabsorb dietary fats because of pancreatic insufficiency, which leads to impaired lipolysis (5, 6). The symptoms of pancreatic insufficiency, such as steatorrhea and poor growth, can be alleviated by oral supplementation with pancreatic enzymes.

Does cystic fibrosis cause vitamin B12 deficiency?

Abstract. Vitamin B12 absorption was measured in 30 patients with cystic fibrosis by means of the urinary excretion method and found to be impaired, i.e. less than 10%, in 25. The mean urinary excretion amounted to 4.7 +/- 0.8%. In all patients vitamin B12 absorption improved by the addition of trypsin (18.9 +/- 2.1%).

What vitamin prevents cystic fibrosis?

Most people with cystic fibrosis (CF) need supplements of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. If you are pancreatic sufficient and do not take enzymes you may not need to take vitamin supplements.

Why is there insulin deficiency in cystic fibrosis?

What is CFRD? In people with cystic fibrosis, the thick, sticky mucus causes scarring of the pancreas. This scarring prevents the pancreas from producing normal amounts of insulin. So, like people with type 1 diabetes, they become insulin deficient.

What nutrition is needed for a child with cystic fibrosis?

Calorie Intake

Children with CF may need 2,000-2,800 calories daily. It is important to remember that a balanced diet is vital for the whole family. This includes dairy products; grains and starches; fruits and vegetables; and proteins such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs and peanut butter.

What is the most common cause of poor nutrition?

What Causes Poor Nutrition? Poor eating habits include under- or over-eating, not having enough of the healthy foods we need each day, or consuming too many types of food and drink, which are low in fibre or high in fat, salt and/or sugar.

What electrolyte imbalance is in cystic fibrosis?

Occasionally, people with cystic fibrosis (CF) can experience electrolyte imbalances. These electrolyte imbalances include hyponatremia, hypochloremia, hypokalemia, and metabolic alkalosis. Collectively, these are referred to as Pseudo-Bartter syndrome.

What is the most common complication of cystic fibrosis?

The most serious and common complications of cystic fibrosis are problems with the lungs, also known as pulmonary or respiratory problems, which may include serious lung infections.

What's the genetic deficiency associated to cystic fibrosis?

In cystic fibrosis, a defect (mutation) in a gene — the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene — changes a protein that regulates the movement of salt in and out of cells.

Does cystic fibrosis cause low potassium?

At high sweat flow rate, the sweat potassium in CF patients can reach 17.8 mEq/L compared with 8.4 mEq/L in normal controls [11]. A CF patient sweating at 2 L/h can lose 178 mEq of potassium over 5 h on a hot summer day, which by itself can cause severe hypokalemia.

What deficiency does vitamin K cause?

There are several vitamin K-dependent proteins involved in coagulation, bone development, and cardiovascular health. Vitamin K deficiency can contribute to significant bleeding, poor bone development, osteoporosis, and increased cardiovascular disease.

Why is vitamin E used in cystic fibrosis?

Background. People with cystic fibrosis are at an increased risk of fat‐soluble vitamin deficiency including vitamin E. Vitamin E deficiency can cause a host of conditions such as haemolytic anaemia, cerebellar ataxia and cognitive difficulties.

Does cystic fibrosis affect food digestion?

If you have cystic fibrosis, you have to pay more attention than most people to what you eat because sticky mucus in the pancreas interferes with the proper digestion of your food and causes blockages in the intestines.

What causes weight loss in cystic fibrosis?

Calorie intake

In addition to malabsorption, people with cystic fibrosis often burn more calories due to the extra energy it takes to breathe and fight infections. In fact, people with CF need up to twice the daily recommended calories compared to other people of the same age and weight.

How cystic fibrosis affects the digestive system?

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.