A healthful diet can improve the liver health of a person with hepatitis C and reduce the chance of developing cirrhosis. Eating well helps keep the immune system strong to fight off illness.
There are things that people with hepatitis C should try to avoid or limit in their diet to prevent damage of liver.
Fat
The body needs a small amount of fat and oils to store energy, protect body tissues, and transport vitamins round the blood
Having an unhealthy, high fat, salt, and added sugar foods in diet including cola, pizza, doughnuts, crisps, burgers, chips, and ketchup can lead to side effects.
Saturated fats found in meat, fast foods, and snack products should be avoided.
Fat can also cause abnormalities, such as a fatty build up in the liver, leading to cirrhosis.
People with hepatitis C should try to consume unsaturated fats, such as those in nuts and seeds, olive oil, and fish oils.
It is best to limit saturated fats, such as those found in meat, full-fat dairy products, fast food, and cookies.
Salt
Reduce salt intake, one should avoid eating processed or packaged foods.
Monitoring salt intake is important for people with hepatitis C. For people with cirrhosis, reducing sodium is vital for limiting the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, which is known as ascites.
Sugar
There is believed to be a link between hepatitis C and blood sugar levels, which can increase the risk of developing diabetes.
The liver helps regulate blood sugar levels. Foods high in sugar, such as pastries, desserts, and candy, are high in calories but have little to no nutritional value and can cause spikes in blood sugar.
Iron
Reduce the intake of iron-rich foods, such as red meat, liver, and iron-fortified cereals.
People with chronic hepatitis C have problems releasing iron. Excess iron can cause an overload in the blood and organs.
As Iron is important for the body to function it should not be eliminated entirely.
Alcohol
Avoid alcohol to slow down the risk of developing liver failure. It’s the best way to slow disease progression and keep your liver healthy until the virus has been eradicated.
On the other hand, nutritious foods like fruits and vegetables promote liver health when you have hepatitis C.