People regularly ask me what is the best diet for someone who has Hepatitis C. Well, I’m not a doctor, but I had Hepatitis C for more than 40 years and kept my liver in pretty good shape until I reached sixty. I did not do treatment until 2015 because Interferon was the only treatment available then and I was aware of the terrible side effects of the Interferon based Hep C treatment. So, much to the annoyance of my doctor, I refused to be treated with Interferon. This meant that I had to maintain good health through diet and lifestyle until I could get effective treatment. Eventually I used Sovaldi (Sofosbuvir 400 mg) to cure my Hep C.
So, based on my personal experiences I can offer some solid dietary guidelines for people with Hepatitis C.
But before I go on I must say that it’s crucial for anyone with Hepatitis C to get treatment ASAP as the severity of the disease can vary widely from person to person and liver failure can be sudden and fatal.
The Hepatitis C Diet
The primary goal of a diet for someone with Hepatitis C is to support overall liver health and minimize further liver damage. The liver is very vulnerable when infected with the Hepatitis C virus because the virus is continually causing the destruction of liver cells and creating scar tissue in the liver. This means the liver is constantly under stress when a person has Hep C. So a good diet is super important to to take all pressure off the liver. Here are some general dietary recommendations for a person with Hep C:
- Maintain a Healthy Weight:
- Maintaining a healthy weight is essential for liver health. Obesity can contribute to liver inflammation and fatty liver disease, which puts a lot of stress on the liver and can make the effects of a Hepatitis C infection much worse. A low fat diet and plenty of exercise is super important.
- Limit Alcohol:
- Alcohol is especially harmful to the liver, so it’s crucial to avoid alcohol entirely if you have a Hepatitis C infection.
- Eat a Balanced Diet:
- Focus on a well-balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats. These foods provide essential nutrients and antioxidants to support overall liver health. Consumption of red meat meat should be reduced as digesting red meat can put stress on your liver. The reason for this is that breaking down proteins is not easy for the liver and can result in problem for the liver as excessive protein build-up in the liver can lead to various liver diseases. Limit red meat consumption to once or twice a week. No deep fried foods!
- Reduce Salt Intake:
- Limit your salt intake, as excessive salt can lead to fluid retention and potentially exacerbate liver-related complications.
- Think about your Proteins:
- Go for sources of protein such as poultry, fish, beans, tofu, and legumes rather than red meats. These are easier for the liver to process compared to red meats.
- Limit Saturated and Trans Fats:
- Reduce your intake of fried foods, processed snacks, and fatty cuts of meat. These are high in saturated and trans fats and contribute to liver inflammation.
- Drink water not Soda:
- Drinking plenty of water is essential for overall health, including liver function. Aim for around eight glasses of water a day. But be sensible as a different amount would depend on the daily temperature, your work load and sweating etc. If you are thirsty, drink water not soda or some other sweetened drink. Tea, coffee, Coke, Red Bull, etc do NOT count as water.
- Avoid Excessive Sugar:
- High sugar intake may contribute to fatty liver disease. Limit your consumption of sugary drinks, sweets, and processed foods.
- Consider Vitamin D Supplements:
- Some individuals with Hepatitis C may have nutritional deficiencies. For example, vitamin D is important for liver health. Many people are vitamin D deficient. Research shows that vitamin D generated by sunlight of your skin is the most beneficial form of vitamin D. So get your shirt off and walk in the sunshine. If you can’t get sunshine take a vitamin D pill... but its not going to give you the benefits of sunshine D. The best source of vitamin D is sunlight on your skin… and its free!
- Be Cautious with Herbal Supplements:
- Be cautious about using herbal supplements or over-the-counter remedies, as they can interact with medications or worsen liver health. Always consult a knowledgeable person before taking herbal supplements.
- Liver health is not gained by adding supplements to the diet. Rather liver health is gained by removing unhealthy over processed food from the diet.
For example, no added sugar. No deep fried foods. Low fat diet. If you want to add something extra to your diet, add more fresh fruits and vegetables
Hepatitis C Buyers Club 