What is a Hepatitis C Diet?

What is Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is characterized by liver inflammation caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Hepatitis C is transmitted through contact with contaminated blood. This infection affects people around the world. In the U.S., around 2.4 million people were affected by hepatitis C between 2013-2016, according to CDC. Hepatitis C is treatable if caught before the liver is severely damaged. A liver-healthy diet and lifestyle should be implemented as part of the treatment program for hepatitis C.

What are the symptoms of hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C, same as other liver diseases, often does not show any symptoms up until the disease reaches an advanced stage and makes a significant damage to the liver. When symptoms do occur, they usually include:

• Sickness or vomiting
• Jaundice
• Pain in the upper-right side abdomen
• Fatigue
• Pale stools
• Flu-like symptoms
• Nausea
• Decreased appetite
• Unexplained weight loss
• Aching joints

If remained untreated, hepatitis C is very likely to progress into a chronic form and over time lead to even more severe medical complications.

How is hepatitis C diagnosed?

You can test for hepatitis through blood tests, liver scans, or a liver biopsy. You do not have to wait for symptoms of hepatitis to start before you consult a physician about getting tested. Schedule regular check-ups with your doctor to keep your liver health under control.

What should I eat if I have hepatitis C?

Eating liver-healthy is especially essential for hepatitis C patients because any nutrients that you consume will pass through your liver. A hepatitis C diet is usually a liver-healthy diet, the specific requirements of which can vary depending on the type and severity of the liver disease.

In general, the diet recommended for a hepatitis C patient is basically a balanced liver-healthy diet which is usually low in fat, cholesterol, salt, starch, refined sugar, gluten, and is high in protein, vitamins & minerals, complex carbohydrates, and fiber.

To improve or kick off your hepatitis C diet, start with these first liver-healthy steps:

1. Avoid fast food, processed food, and sweets.
2. Avoid soft drinks and soda – these beverages are packed with sugar which will only contribute to a worsening of your liver health.
3. Increase your consumption of fruits and vegetables.
4. Consume smaller meals and snacks at an interval of 3-4 hours to boost your metabolism and avoid putting your body into starvation mode.
5. Avoid raw food. Eat food that is cooked well and avoid raw foods such as sushi, oysters, and clams.
6. Drink 8-10 glasses of water per day to keep your body hydrated. You can also stay hydrated with juices and tea but try to avoid soft drinks as they are very high in sugar. Drinking enough water will facilitate the general detoxification process and help the liver flush out toxins from your body.
7. Avoid alcohol. Further consumption of alcohol will unavoidably damage your liver by compromising its ability to process toxins and regenerate itself as well as kill the liver´s healthy cells. Without reducing the amount of alcohol consumed or abstaining from it completely, hepatitis can progress into a chronic liver disease and even liver cancer.
8. Drink coffee without cream or sugar.
9. Avoid smoking.
10. Work out several times a week. Introduce low-impact workouts into your daily routine, such as power walking, chair yoga, and Pilates depending on the state of your health.

Although supplements may be recommended by a doctor for some, most people can obtain sufficient nutrients by eating a well-balanced, liver-healthy diet because the best source of macro- and microminerals is nutrition.

Make sure to discuss your hepatitis C diet your physician or nutritionist.

How to start your liver-healthy journey?

Eating a healthy diet is the crucial component of your liver health care, and especially — if you have been diagnosed with hepatitis C. In fact, 97% of physicians believe that nutrition is the number one defining factor for liver health followed by lifestyle, according to a survey. Lack of quality nutrition which includes a high intake of vitamins, minerals, fiber and lean protein will only weaken your liver function, whereas following a liver-healthy diet and lifestyle can help support your liver health.

By cutting fat, sugar, and salt from your diet, you can support your liver´s regeneration process and in some cases stop the progression of an existing liver condition.

As the first company in the U.S. to provide nutritional solutions for liver health, it is our mission to support you on your journey towards liver health. A great way of improving your liver diet is to start incorporating liver-healthy recipes into your diet. We have a huge selection of liver-healthy recipes.

To find out whether you are leading a liver-healthy lifestyle and what changes you are yet to make, take the Liver Health Score. Keep track of your Liver Health Score on a regular basis to be aware of how your daily habits impact your liver health.

Find out your Liver Health Score here >

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