Medically reviewed by Aaron L Weigmann MD., MS Plastic Surgeon January 06, 2025| Written by Zenda Nel

Hepatitis B: What to Eat and What to Avoid?

Hepatitis is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver. The infection can be short-lived or acute if it resolves within six months. However, it may be chronic where the infection stays with the person indefinitely.

Five main strains of the hepatitis virus, namely types A, B, C, D, and E cause hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Hepatitis types B and C are the most common, affecting around354 million people worldwide.

Why is it important to be informed about hepatitis B?

The word 'liver' is close to the word 'live'. It’s quite befitting as the liver indeed is a life-supporting organ and performs manycritical functions in the body.

But Hepatitis B causes inflammation of the liver that may result in significant damage. This may not only prevent the liver from performing its functions, but also potentially result inserious conditions likecirrhosis (liver scarring), liver failure, and liver cancer.

How does one get hepatitis B? This infection is spread through bodily fluids, including blood, semen, and vaginal secretions. Thus, the virus istransmitted from one person to another when:

A woman gives birth.
Sex occurs with an infected person.
Sharing toothbrushes or razors.
Sharing needles or syringes.
Touching an open wound.
Pricked by an infected sharp item, such as a tattooing needle.

You do not get infected from someone sneezing or coughing on you. Because the virus is not easily transferred through saliva, you don't get it through kissing or sharing eating utensils.

Caring for or living with someone who has chronic hepatitis B is a risk factor. So, it's a good idea to get vaccinated against the virus when this is our living situation.

How Do I Know If I Have Hepatitis B?

Many infected people don't have symptoms and remain unaware that they have hepatitis. Those who do have symptoms may exhibit some of thefollowing symptoms.

The skin and whites of the eyes turn yellow
Fever
Dark urine
Abdominal pain in the area of the liver
Bloated and tender stomach
Loss of appetite or nausea
Extreme tiredness
Joint pain

Hepatitis B is confirmed with blood tests. Blood tests can confirm whether:

You have hepatitis B
The infection is acute or chronic.
You are immune to the condition.

Your doctor may decide to perform a special ultrasound called transient elastography. The ultrasound can reveal the extent of liver damage.

Your doctor may also order a liver biopsy where a tiny portion of the liver is removed for examination. However, this test is only done in special circumstances, such as determining the presence of tumors.

How is Hepatitis B Treated?

Prevention is better than cure. Hepatitis B can be prevented witha vaccine and health experts recommend that all infants get vaccinated against the infection at birth. The vaccine provides lifelong protection against the virus.

Doctors also recommended vaccines for diabetic patients and those living with or taking care of a hepatitis B patient. The vaccination is also recommended to anyone at high risk for infection due tovarious circumstances.

Once you contract the infection, there is no treatment for acute hepatitis B. In most cases, the infection will clear up on its own.

If the condition becomes chronic, treatment will be necessary for the rest of a person's life and may include antiviral medicines, interferon shots, and in the case of severe damage, surgery to remove damaged parts of the liver.

What Foods to Eat in Hepatitis B?

The liver supports life through its many functions in the body. Everything we eat or drink is handled in some way by the liver from metabolizing nutrients, filtering toxins from the blood, and processing fats and proteins to storing minerals and vitamins. If the liver fails, so will the body.

One study looked at patients with hepatitis B virus who were experiencing a severe and sudden decline in their liver function. Researchers found these patientssuffered from malnutrition. However, patients significantly improved and their survival rates were higher when they received personalized and ongoing nutritional support.

1. Diet For a Healthy Liver

Liver disease is treated with an appropriate diet. Scientists believe the liver diet not only replenishes calories and nutrients but significantly affects the course of the disease. Research has found that asimple, healthy, and well-balanced diet can help the liver to recover.

Experts recommend the followingfoods and habits for recovery from liver disease.

Carbohydrates should come from whole cereals, fruits, vegetables, and honey.
Protein is important in this diet. Since meat contains high saturated fat content, therefore, meat should be limited to lean cuts, skinless poultry, and game.
Other protein should come from cottage cheese, skim milk, eggs, and fish.
Fat should be limited to no more than 40-60 grams per day. Plant-based fats, such as olive and rapeseed oil are preferable.
Vegetables and fruits can be enjoyed raw or cooked.
Be sure to eat cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower. Research has shown that these vegetables help protect the liver against environmental toxins.
Salad dressings should be replaced with a few drops of olive oil and lemon juice.
Salt must be used in moderation.

Other recommendations include eating small but frequent meals. Also, wash fruit and vegetables thoroughly to remove pesticides and fertilizer residues that may otherwise put a strain on the liver.

2. Keep Enjoying Your Coffee

A systematic review and meta-analysis found that drinking two cups of coffee a day canreduce the risk of developing liver cirrhosis by up to 43%. Both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee have this health-enhancing quality.

3. Boost Your Liver With Fiber

Several studies in recent years have shown that not eating enough whole grains and fiber is linked to a higher risk of liver problems. It’s evident that getting more fiber from whole grains in your diet can help protect the liver.

A recent study, the largest of its kind, looked at the effect of whole grains and fiber on liver cancer risk. The scientists found eating more whole grainsreduces the risk of liver cancer by 22%. Interestingly, the research found that vegetables and grains are more effective than grains at lowering the risk of liver cancer.

A smart step toward a healthy liver would be combining a healthy meal plan witha fiber and protein supplement.

What Foods to Avoid in Hepatitis B?

Following the recommendation to focus on lean protein sources, individuals with hepatitis B should avoid protein sources high in saturated fats, such as fatty meat cuts, butter, cream, and full-fat dairy products.
Also, following the recommendation to eat foods high in fiber, foods low in fiber should be avoided, including processed foods, white breads, crackers, pasta, and baked goods made with white flour.
Limit foods and drinks with added sugars, such as sodas, fruit juices, candies, baked goods, and desserts. Read labels of packaged snacks to ensure that they don't contain added sugar.
Limit foods fried in oil.
Avoid eating raw or undercooked shellfish, such as clams, mussels, oysters, and scallops. These foods can be contaminated with Vibrio vulnificus - a bacteria which can cause severe liver damage.
Mold often contains aflatoxins which is extremely harmful for the liver. Foods prone to mold include nuts, rice, maize, corn, sorghum, and millet. These foods are especially prone to mold when stored in damp conditions, and should always be sealed properly.

While these recommendations offer general guidelines, you may have concerns regarding what and how much to eat for dinner. We recommend you check out our certified cholesterol-friendly meal plan that fits the description of a liver-healthy diet!

What Lifestyle Changes Are Healthy for Hepatitis B?

Here are a few things you can do to aid your recovery from Hepatitis B!

**1) It's Not OnlyWhat You Eat, ButHow Much You Eat!**

Did you know thatovereating puts your liver under undue stress? In fact, eating more food than you need on a daily basis is one of the common causes of decreased liver function.

Burdening the liver with excessive food and drink requires your liver to work too hard. An overworked liver is not as effective at detoxifying harmful substances as a liver that is not overburdened.

2) Stop Smoking

What many people don't understand is smoking doesn't only harm the lungs – the habit also affects other organs that don't come into direct contact with the smoke.

In the case of the liver, the negative effects are:

Damage of the liver cells due to toxins in tobacco
Suppression of T-cell responses means they can't effectively spot and fight against tumor cells.
Oxidative stress and inflammation which damage liver tissue.
Heightened risk ofliver cirrhosis.

3) Sorry, Alcohol is Out!

This prohibition stands to reason since alcohol is known to cause liver damage. Did you know that every time you have a drink, the process of filtering the alcohol causessome liver cells to die?

Now, we know that the liver is magic and can regenerate itself. But a liver that is infected with the hepatitis B virus has a diminished ability to regenerate and permanent liver damage is in store for you if you keep drinking.

4) Should You Take Supplements?

Many people these days prefer to take supplements and herbal remedies to treat their health issues. There are a few problems with this trend, though.

Supplements are not regulated like medicines, so there is no rigorous testing for safety or purity.

Herbs are not inactive. Some of them could interfere with prescription drugs for hepatitis B or other conditions. Some herbal remedies could evendamage your liver.

If you want to take a supplement, make sure the product is tested by anindependent lab and not merely promoted by the manufacturer.

Also, if you have hepatitis B, get the Hepatitis A vaccine, so it can't attack your liver.

5) Stop or Limit Activities that Expose You to Toxins

If you visit nail salons regularly or are a nail technician, you may want to reconsider if you have liver problems. These environments use products that contain chemicals that pose health hazards.

You may also have to put a pause on any house renovations you are working on. Paint fumes, glue, and paint removers all contain harmful chemicals that should not be inhaled day in and day out.

Many household products also expose you to harmful fumes that can damage your liver, including bleach, drain cleaner, carpet cleaner, mothballs, antifreeze, and air freshener. If you have liver problems it might be wise to wear a protective mask whenever you need to use these products.

6) Take Care of Yourself

Experts recommend that people with hepatitis B try to reduce their stress levels by following a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and getting plenty of rest.

Does Hepatitis B Decrease Lifespan?

No, hepatitis B does not shorten lifespan. Acute hepatitis B doesn't last much longer than six months and most people recover from the infection on their own.

Chronic infection is another story. It is a lifelong condition for which there is no cure.

However, with regular testing, treatment, and a healthy lifestyle, people with hepatitis B can look forward to a long life.

Conclusion

Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection which can be prevented. Firstly, by getting vaccinated against it, and secondly, through a healthy lifestyle. A lifestyle that promotes liver health includes a balanced diet, abstinence from, or limited use of alcohol, no smoking, regular exercise, and adequate rest. Adopting this lifestyle will protect your liver and keep you healthy.

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