Cystic fibrosis nutritional deficiencies

Deficiency can lead to lower levels of docosahexaenoic acid, leading to abnormal brain and eye function Optimizes nutrition, growth, and feeding efficiency of children suffering from cystic fibrosis Attenuates diabetic complications... 

The causes of human copper deficiency include (1) low intake - malnutrition, total parenteral nutrition (TPN) (2) high loss - cystic fibrosis, nephrotic syndromes and (3) genetic factors — Menkes disease. Copper deficiency may also be associated with chronic malabsorption, a situation which is made much worse in cases of gastric and bowel resection. Several special diets, including powdered milk, liquid protein and standard hospital diets are a means of inducing copper deficiency. The amount of copper in US food has decreased steadily since 1942, and may be related to the rising incidence of coronary artery disease. A copper deficiency may also occur as the result of the use of chelators for other purposes for example, diethyl dithiocarbamate is an in vivo metabolite of ANTABUSE (disulfiram). 

Q10 Pancreatic insufficiency occurs in approximately 80% of cystic fibrosis patients. There is a marked reduction in the water, electrolyte and enzyme content of pancreatic secretion. Because of deficient digestive enzymes, there is inadequate digestion and absorption of nutrients and some nutritional deficiency occurs. 

Selenium sulfide is used as an antiseborrheic agent and as a shampoo in the treatment of Tinea versicolor. Selenite is also found in mineral supplements and is used in parenteral nutrition. However, selenium has gained undeserved popularity as a constituent of health foods and alternative tonics, perhaps because selenium deficiency has been implicated in the pathogenesis of some forms of malnutrition in children. However, even in children with selenium deficiency the benefit to harm balance has not been estabhshed. Indeed, in protein deficiency it seems to be particularly toxic. Nor is there any serious basis for its reputation as a remedy for cystic fibrosis, to prevent aging, or as a sexual stimulant. 

Cystic fibrosis is the most common lethal genetic disease among the white population of the United States. Eccrine and exocrine gland function are affected. Pulmonary disease and pancreatic insufficiency frequently occur. Food, particularly fats and proteins, may be only partially digested, and nutritional deficiencies result. 

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