Dig Liver Dis. 2001 Aug-Sep; 33(6): 492-500.

Vegetarian diets in hepatic encephalopathy: facts or fantasies?

Amodio P, Caregaro L, PattenÃ² E, Marcon M, Del Piccolo F, Gatta A.

Dept Medicine V, Clinical Nutrition, University of Padua, Italy. piero.amodio@unipd.it

Diet treatment characterized by a reduction in or a selection of food proteins is currently suggested in hepatic encephalopathy. This article is a review of the present knowledge about the characteristics and the rationale of vegetarian diets in cirrhotic patients with overt or latent encephalopathy. In addition, evidence relating diet and encephalopathy and the nutritional features and needs of cirrhotic patients is reported. Finally, the rationale of a diet based on vegetable and milk-derived proteins that may overcome the limits and the possible adverse effects of a strict vegetarian diet is presented.