A Review on the Role of Low Glycemic Index Foods for Glycemic Control in Chronic Liver Disease ()
ABSTRACT
Liver is an essential organ that maintains fasting and postprandial blood
glucose response via various metabolic pathways. The liver function gradually
deteriorates in chronic liver disease (CLD) due to inflammation and destruction
of liver parenchyma. The development of glucose intolerance and hepatogenous
diabetes (HD) in patients with CLD is an inevitable event. Diabetes and CLD can
coexist, and function synergistically to cause unfavorable clinical
consequences, including poor treatment outcomes and frequent hospitalization.
The complications associated with liver disease (malnutrition, hypoglycemia,
acute kidney injury, lactic acidosis, etc.) and lack of guidelines limit
pharmacological management of HD. Dietary recommendations by The European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism
(ESPEN) guidelines (2019), suggested weight reducing hypocaloric diet
along with adequate branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) and micronutrient
consumption to improve steatosis and insulin sensitivity in patients with CLD.
Dietary glycemic index controls prognosis
of obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and diabetes. The
importance of low GI diet in reducing fasting blood glucose, hepatic glucose
influx and fat accumulation, thereby improving weight loss and NAFLD score, is
being published in patients with diabetes or liver disease. Several countries
have already incorporated GI into their national health policies, for identification
of the nutrient value, resulting in establishment of worldwide GI and glycemic
load tables for specific food items. However, the apparent complexity of GI and
lack of low GI meal choices need to be resolved in order to enhance patient’s
quality of life, health and well-being. Low GI nutritional supplements,
comprising of balanced proportion of carbohydrate, protein, BCAAs, fibers and
micronutrients, may reduce the complexity related to dietary management of HD.
The review summarizes the importance of nutritional management in HD with focus
on low GI diet in people with CLD.
Share and Cite:
Bhoite, R. , Joshi, N. , Pratti, V. and Satyavrat, V. (2023) A Review on the Role of Low Glycemic Index Foods for Glycemic Control in Chronic Liver Disease.
Food and Nutrition Sciences,
14, 258-276. doi:
10.4236/fns.2023.143017.
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