Kaeti Lindsay is a dietitian working with cystic fibrosis patients. She believes nutrition is crucial for treating cystic fibrosis as it helps ward off infection, support bone health, improve lung function, and protect against malabsorption. Cystic fibrosis affects nutrition by causing a buildup of mucus in the pancreas and intestines, preventing the release of digestive enzymes and absorption of nutrients. Good nutrition is important for cystic fibrosis patients to compensate for these disruptions and provide energy to support lung function.

1. A word fromthe Dietitian: My
name is Kaeti, and I am a dietitian
working as the nutrition trainee at
the Pediatric Pulmonary Center in
Birmingham, Alabama. I had the
pleasure of meeting Susan
Burroughs recently and was thrilled
when she asked for my expertise to
be shared with you in this
newsletter. I am passionate about
nutrition and strongly believe in its
uses in a variety of chronic disease
states, but especially Cystic Fibrosis.
Nutrition is a crucial element in
treating Cystic Fibrosis for a variety
of reasons:
1. Ward off infection
2. Bone Health
3. Lung Function
4. Protect against
Malabsorption
Lets first talk about how Cystic
Fibrosis affects our nutrition, and
then we can turn it around and
think how good nutrition can help
treat CF.
HowCFaffectsNutrition: Those
with CF produce a sticky mucous
that not only negatively affects the
lung tissue, but also the pancreas
and small intestine. The pancreas
functions to produce and excrete
digestive enzymes that break down
our food into a digestible form.
Because of the mucous buildup
that Cystic Fibrosis causes, those
pancreatic enzymes cannot be
released or utilized, so food is not
adequately digested and absorbed.
The small intestine which is
responsible for absorption of key
nutrients, serves as another location
along the digestive tract affected
by CF. When the lining of the small
intestine is covered in mucous,
there is less functional surface area
for absorption. Because of these
two disruptions, many people with
Cystic Fibrosis require the
assistance of their pancreatic

2. enzyme replacement therapy and
the CF specific Vitamins.
Lung Function: Nutrition and lung
function are closely linked. The
lungs of someone with CF are often
heavily saturated with mucous
which easily becomes infected.
This makes it harder to breath than
someone with a healthy lung.
Because of the increased work it
takes to breath, more calories are
needed to make the lungs work.
This is why your dietitian is always
haggling you about our BMI, or
body mass index. Research has
shown that those with a higher BMI
have more energy to spare and use
towards their lung functions,
resulting in higher scoring PFT’s.
Have I convinced you yet?
Infection: Infection is a buzzword
in the CF world. We are constantly
trying to protect against it. Though
avoiding infection is harder to do
with CF, it is easier to achieve when
you are in good nutrition status.
When we are healthy, our bodies
are better able to produce the
antibodies that destroy the foreign
bodies that try to bring about
infection.
BoneHealth: Our bones are made
up of the minerals calcium,
phosphorus, magnesium and
fluoride. Those with CF often have
low bone minerals, which make
them more prone to Osteopenia
(low bone density). If left
untreated, Osteopenia can progress
to Osteoporosis and lead to
fractures. Good news! This CAN
be treated by; you guessed it, good
nutrition! Making sure you take
your CF vitamins, which contain
Vitamin D, can better help you
absorb calcium. You can also
research foods rich in these
minerals and get the essential
minerals in that way. Often our
dairy sources help us get the
amounts we need when consumed
in adequate amounts. That’s why
we are always pushing you to drink
your milk! Not to worry if you
don’t care for dairy foods, there are
plenty of other foods, which
naturally contain or are fortified
with calcium, phosphorus,
magnesium and fluoride. To check

3. your bone mineral density, you can
ask your CF center about getting a
DEXA scan. This dual-energy x-ray
absorptiometry machine will
measure the density of your bones
and let you know how you
compare to a healthy individual.
Malabsorption: As discussed, the
sticky mucus interrupts proper
absorption. Therefore, it is
important to consume a high-
calorie, high-protein diet to
compensate for this. There are
tricks to adding calories that are
easier than constantly shoving food
in your mouth. These tips are
discussed in detail on the websites
provided below.
As you can see, there are many
reasons to practice good nutrition.
When we are healthy, we are able
to perform so much better, and
that is my hope for you. So, take
these tips, and talk to your CF
center’s dietitian about making a
plan that accommodates you. You
can also use the additional
resources provided to learn more
about how to provide your body
with the nourishment it needs to
get you to your healthiest yet!
Thank you,
Kaeti Lindsay, RD, LD
1. Snack ideas for gaining
weight:
https://uvahealth.com/services/dige
stive-health/images-and-
docs/highcaloriesnacks.pdf
2. Nutrition: How to
Encourage Healthy Eating:
http://www.cff.org/UploadedFiles/Li
vingWithCF/StayingHealthy/Diet/H
ealthyEating/Healthy-Eating.pdf
3. Bone Health:
http://www.cff.org/UploadedFiles/tr
eatments/Therapies/Nutrition/Bone
Health/Nutrition-Bone-Health-and-
Cystic-Fibrosis.pdf
4. Grab n’ Go Snack ideas for
people with CF on the Run:
http://www.cff.org/UploadedFiles/Li
vingWithCF/StayingHealthy/Diet/M
ealSnackIdeas/Grab%2020%20and
%20go.pdf

4. References:
1. UVA Health System. Snack Ideas for Gaining Weight. Charlottesville:
Digestive Health Center, Dec.-Jan. 2006. PDF.
2. Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. "Cystic Fibrosis Foundation - Therapies."
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation - Therapies. CFF, Feb. 2014. Web. 26 Jan.
2015.
3. Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Nutrition: How to Encourage Healthy Eating.
Bethesda: CFF Education Committee, 2006. PDF.
4. Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. "Cystic Fibrosis Foundation - Staying
Healthy." Cystic Fibrosis Foundation - Staying Healthy. CFF, 2014. Web.
26 Jan. 2015.
5. Guy, Maguinness, Meyers, Noschese, and Hazle. Nutrition: Bone Health
and Cystic Fibrosis. Bethesda: CFF, 2012. PDF.