Diseases in Which Diet Therapy is Important

In diabetes melitus diets may be used to control the carbohydrate intake, and particularly the patient's weight, since it has been shown that obesity can aggravate diabetes.

Diets of bland foods, such as milk, cream, and soft boiled eggs, are prescribed for peptic ulcer to avoid stimulating the secretion of gastric juice. In cirrhosis of the liver, a diet rich in protein foods is important.

Many physicians recommend weight control, and low-fat diets, in controlling arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. It's suggested that the intake of saturated fats may be reduced, and increased the polyunsaturated fats. It may be accomplished by eating less of the visible fats on meat, more lean meats, more fish and fowl.

It may also by subtituting skim milk for whole milk, using corn oil, soybean oil, and cottonseed oil in cooking and baking. Reduction of the cholesterol intake is not believed to be of great importance in controlling the diseases. Low sodium diets also have been used in treating high blood preasure and kidney diseases.

In gout, a form of arthritis, compounds called urates are deposited in and about certain joints. Urates are derived from uric acid, and ultimately from purines. Limit the purine intake by omitting from the diet purine-rich foods, such as liver, kidney, sweetbreads, brains, heart, anchovies, sardines, gravies, and herring. It may also be minimize by drinking lots of water to lower the purine level.

Diet rich in iron, proteins, and vitamins are prescribed for patients suffering from anemia to provide the raw materials needed for the manufacture of red blood cells. In allergic conditions, using an elimination diet to isolate the allergy producing food.

Source Encyclopedia International by
S. O. Waife, M.D.,
Professor of Medicine, Indiana University Medical School.