Cystic fibrosis - nutritional considerations

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Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a potentially life-threatening disease that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive tract. Persons with cystic fibrosis need to eat high calorie and high protein foods throughout the day.

This article discusses the nutritional needs for persons with CF. For specific information about the disease itself, see the article on cystic fibrosis.

Your pancreas is an organ that sits in your belly behind your stomach. An important job of your pancreas is to make enzymes. These enzymes help your body digest and absorb protein and fats. However, the build-up of sticky mucus in the pancreas from cystic fibrosis can lead to serious problems, including:

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• Stools that contain mucus, are foul smelling, or float
• Gas, bloating, or distended belly
• Problems getting enough protein, fat, and calories, in your diet

Because of these problems, people with cystic fibrosis may have a hard time maintaining a normal weight. Even if your weight is normal, you may not be getting the correct nutrition. Children with cystic fibrosis may not grow or develop correctly.

Review Date: 05/16/2011
Reviewed By: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., and Denis Hadjiliadis, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).