[Intake of essential trace elements (selenium, copper and iron) in the nutrition of patients hospitalized with liver cirrhosis].

Dietary intake for three essential trace elements: selenium, copper and iron was studied in hospitalized patients receiving either ordinary meals or regimens adapted for liver cirrhosis. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of dietary manipulations: reduction in sodium intake for uncomplicated disease and protein restriction to 40 g per day in patients with hepatic encephalopathy. The meals proposed to these three groups were collected during fourteen days and daily intake for three elements was estimated by direct analysis of the assembled meals of the day. Dietary selenium was greatly affected by the restriction in protein intake contrary to copper and iron which were not significantly reduced. Moreover, overall daily trace element intake was rather low and clearly less than the most recent recommended allowances for these essential elements. Relationships between deficiency in some of these trace elements and worsening of the liver disease have been partly documented. They should encourage studies on the correction of dietary intake.