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Hepatitis C is an infection of the liver that can lead to liver failure in the long term. It is caused by the hepatitis C virus that can be transmitted through contact with infected blood, like when using infected syringes or unscreened blood transfusions.
Most people with hepatitis C don’t experience any apparent symptoms until the liver becomes severely inflamed. Persistentinflammation in the liver can lead toliver cirrhosis and, eventually, liver failure.
There is no vaccination to prevent hepatitis C but you can treat the condition with medications. It is also important to focus on diet when managing hepatitis C, as a poor diet alongside hepatitis C can lead to furtherliver damage.
According to aWorld Health Organization (WHO) report, around 50 million people globally are suffering from hepatitis C. The report further says that around 1 million people get infected with hepatitis C each year.
Initially, when you get infected with hepatitis C, you are at an acute stage.Reports show that most people with acute-stage hepatitis C don’t experience any noticeable symptoms.
If the infection continues for a long time, it is called chronic hepatitis, where you start to notice symptoms. The common symptoms that you start to notice in late stages of hepatitis C are:
It is important to remember that most of these symptoms will start to appear when the liver is significantly damaged by the infection. This is whyexperts recommend screening for hepatitis C even if you aren’t experiencing symptoms.
Like hepatitis C, hepatitis B is also a viral infection of the liver. It is caused by the hepatitis B virus which can spread through contact with the body fluid of an infected person, such as blood, saliva, or semen. Since both hepatitis B and C are caused by different viruses, a person can develop hepatitis B and C at the same time.
There is no vaccination available for the hepatitis C virus but you can get vaccines for the hepatitis B virus. On the flip side, there is no cure for hepatitis B while you can cure hepatitis C with the help of antiviral medications.
See Also: Hepatitis B: What to Eat and What to Avoid?
Hepatitis B usually doesn’t go into the chronic stage, and most patients recover within 6 months of infection. However,reports show that about two-thirds of people with acute hepatitis C develop chronic hepatitis C. Both types, hepatitis B and C, can lead to liver cirrhosis and liver failure in the long term.
The cure for hepatitis C is possible with medications.Reports show that antiviral medications can cure 95% of hepatitis C patients within 8 to 12 weeks. The goal of medicines is to eradicate the hepatitis C virus from the body.
The type of medicines can differ for each case, depending on the strain of the virus, the severity of the condition, and your overall health. Some common antiviral medicines for hepatitis C are:
Along with medicines to eradicate the hepatitis C virus, liver transplants are also a treatment option in patients with liver failure. To lower the risk of liver failure in hepatitis C, it is important to make dietary and lifestyle changes to support liver health.
After all, a poor diet and lifestyle can further damage a compromised liver.
There is no specific diet that can help with hepatitis C. However, a healthy diet can support liver health and lower the risk of damage. A person with hepatitis C should focus on eating a diet that is low in unhealthy fats and helps with weight management, as obesity increases the risk of further liver damage likenon-alcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD.
See Also: Dietitian-Backed Tips That Can Help You Lose Weight Fast!
The non-alcoholic fatty liver can progress intonon-alcoholic hepatic steatosis and liver cirrhosis, making the condition worse for those who already have hepatitis C.
Here are some healthy foods to eat in hepatitis C:
Fruits and vegetables provide antioxidant nutrients and fiber, which can help maintain liver health. Antioxidants can lower the inflammation andimprove liver health.
Fiber helps with weight management and prevents non-alcoholic fatty liver and hepatic steatosis. A2023 study shows that increasing the fiber intake in the diet can protect against non-alcoholic fatty liver and its complications. A2024 study shows that insufficient dietary fiber intake is associated with the risk of developing hepatic steatosis.
See Also: 21 Easy Ways to Get More Fiber in Your Diet!
Some fruit options that you eat with hepatitis C for liver health include:
Similarly, you can incorporate the following fiber-rich vegetables into your diet for liver health:
In addition to adding fruits and vegetables into your diet, you can alsoget fiber in the form of powder to support liver health. Fiber powder makes it convenient for you to take yourdaily recommended dose of fiber.
Whole grains are an excellent fiber source and provide you with plenty of nutrients compared to refined grains. A2022 study shows that consuming whole grains can reduce inflammatory markers, which may help in improving liver inflammation.
Whole grains can help in weight management and lower the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver. Astudy in the International Journal of Endocrinology suggests that consuming whole grains can lower the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver and related complications.
Anotherstudy published in the British Journal of Nutrients found beneficial effects of consuming whole grains on hepatic steatosis and liver enzyme concentrations in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients.
Here are whole grain options that you can add to your diet with hepatitis C:
Protein intake is very important for people with hepatitis C. This is because protein is necessary forrepairing and replacing damaged liver cells with healthy cells. However, it is not a good idea to choose red meat or processed meat as a protein source because they can increase the risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver and hepatic steatosis.
Lean proteins are an excellent choice for obtaining protein while avoiding extra calories for weight management. Some lean protein sources to add to your diet include:
Another good way to add more lean protein to your diet is through plant-based protein powders. We recommend you try a third-party tested protein powder like organic green powder.
That said, a good practice would be to ask your physician first as certain patients with both liver and kidneys concerns must not take a lot of protein.
Coffee may be helpful in improving liver health in hepatitis C and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. A2017 study shows that coffee intake can decrease the risk of advanced liver fibrosis and liver failure in patients with hepatitis C.
Anotherstudy found that people who consume coffee regularly have a 29% reduced risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The study further says that regular coffee intake lowers the risk of liver fibrosis by 30% in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Nuts can be a great snack option for people with hepatitis C who are looking to improve liver health. A2023 study shows that consuming nuts can help prevent you from developing NAFLD.
A2019 study in British Medicine Journal shows that vitamin E and selenium in walnuts have beneficial effects on NAFLD and can help reduce its complications. Anotherstudy shows that walnuts are beneficial for improving hepatic steatosis.
Certain foods can increase the stress on the liver and thus contribute to the worsening of liver damage in hepatitis C. Here are some foods to avoid in hepatitis C:
Fried foods such as chips and fried meats are high in unhealthy fats, andstudies show that unhealthy fats increase the risk of developing NAFLD.
Another disadvantage of fried foods for liver health is that they are high in calories, and regular consumption of such foods increases the risk ofobesity.
Obesity is athreat to liver health as it is one of the major causes of NAFLD.
Processed foods such as hot dogs, bacon, and sausages are high in saturated fats and salts, which increases the risk of liver inflammation.
A2022 study shows that eating processed meats increases the risk of developing NAFLD and its complications. Some processed meats contain preservatives which can put stress on the liver.
Candies, cakes, pastries, and other such sugary snacks contain high levels of refined sugars.Studies show that refined sugar promotes liver fat accumulation and contributes to NAFLD.
Excess sugar intake can also promote insulin resistance, further stressing the liver and increasing fat storage.
Some canned foods, instant noodles, and other processed snacks typically contain high levels of sodium. A2023 study shows that sodium can lead to fluid retention and increased liver stress. Excess sodium intake can worsen symptoms like swelling and high blood pressure, further straining the liver.
For people with hepatitis C, avoiding alcohol is essential. Alcohol intake can increase the risk of alcoholic fatty liver, which is a different condition than non-alcoholic fatty liver.
Chronic consumption of alcohol can lead to liver cirrhosis and failure. Even the consumption of alcohol in small quantities can significantly contribute to liver damage in hepatitis C.
Another lifestyle modification suggested to hepatitis C patients is incorporating physical activities into their routine. A2018 study shows that regular exercise can reduce fat accumulation in the liver.
Physical activities and exercise also help in weight management, which is essential to maintaining a healthy liver.
Hepatitis C is a viral infection of the liver that can be life-threatening. One can contract this infection by coming in contact with infected blood. While acute hepatitis C resolves within a few months, chronic hepatitis C stays for a long term and may even cause liver failure.
There is no vaccination for hepatitis C but there are some antiviral drug therapies. However, it’s crucial to modify your diet and lifestyle habits to prevent liver damage.
We recommend you check out our certified cholesterol-friendlymeal plan for your liver.