Nutrition in Alcohol-Related Liver Disease

Abstract

Purpose of Review Alcohol use represents one of the five major causes of morbimortality globally, and alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) is the most common cause of cirrhosis worldwide. Malnutrition is one of the most frequent complications in ALD and is associated with decreased survival. Additionally, protein-energy malnutrition causes sarcopenia, frailty, and immunosuppression. This review summarizes the diverse mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of malnutrition in ALD and its management.Recent FindingsMechanisms regarding malnutrition in ALD have been recently described. There is also an important area of interest in patients with overnutrition and sarcopenic obesity. Early assessment of malnutrition is needed so the management and prognosis improve in ALD patients.SummaryMalnutrition worsens disease progression and increases infections and mortality risk, especially in decompensated patients. It is important to have early recognition and management of this ALD complication. It is also essential to stratify a patient’s risk for refeeding syndrome once the supplementation is given since this syndrome can increase morbimortality.