I am a 20 year old who has just been diagnosed w/ CF. I don't seem to have many digestive problems (I think my pancreas is okay and I don't take enzymes or anything, it's more my sinuses and lungs) But i was just wondering if there were any nutritional guidelines for people with CF. I had read to cut back on sugar and dairy products because they can lead to more mucus or something like that, but does anyone know of anything else that should be avoided or sought out? thanks!

You could contact the cystic fibrosis foundation and get some brochures on nutrition. DS is a toddler with CF and he needs about 1/3 more calories than most others his age. Also needs more salt 'cuz they sweat out more sodium -- thus the salty tasting skin. Also because of digestive issues, CFers have troubles absorbing certain vitamins -- a, d, e and k, so ds is on a multivitamin specifically for cfers called adeks.

Basically we let ds eat whatever he wants -- lots of highly caloric things -- whole milk with carnation instant breakfast, lots of cheese, yogurt, chips, peanut butter -- we add olive oil to his casseroles, cream to his milk. We make sure his food is salted.

try to eat as many calories as you can eat. It may seem like alot but when you get sick your body will use them up like crazy and you'll notice your weight dropping, dont let it get too low. Definitly stay away from too much sugar and sweets, you could get diabetes and you really dont need another problem with that. write back if you have any questions, i have cf too!

I encourage you to research a couple of nutritional supplements that some people with cf have started using; glutathione and curcumin (comes from the spice Tumeric). Having the symptoms you described, you may benefit greatly from inhaled glutathione. If you visit this message board (web address below) you will meet many cf people whom are using these supplements, all of whom would be happy to share information with you.

http://members5.boardhost.com/CFGSH/

Kathleen Nelson :)

I encourage you to research a couple of nutritional supplements that some people with cf have started using; glutathione and curcumin (comes from the spice Tumeric). Having the symptoms you described, you may benefit greatly from inhaled glutathione. If you visit this message board (web address below) you will meet many cf people whom are using these supplements, all of whom would be happy to share information with you.

http://members5.boardhost.com/CFGSH/

Kathleen Nelson :)

IMO, since you've JUST been diagnosed, I would visit with your healthcare provider about using any supplements. CFers can be sensitive to some supplements because of decreased liver and pancreatic function and recently there've been studies that people who use a supplement called chondroitin and glucosamine for arthritis have developed diabetes -- causes their blood sugar to get really high.