No diet-based liver detox treatment for hepatitis C patients: Dr. Rezzan

Islamabad: There are no liver cleansing foods available for complete cure of Hepatitis C. Any diet or food-based liver detox treatment is a lie. Most people with viral hepatitis should eat a normal, well-balanced diet with everything in moderation. They need to be careful with their food as it helps to manage the disease and stops further damage. Weighing either too much or too little can allow hepatitis C to progress more quickly in your body.

Consultant nutritionist at Shifa International Hospital Dr. Rezzan Khan shared this piece of information during a chat in connection with World Hepatitis Day. Dr. Rezzan emphasized that nutritional management, alongside medicine-based anti-Hepatitis C treatment, is what most patients require.

Firstly, it is important for patients to maintain a healthy weight. “Overweight individuals are more likely to have a fatty liver which speeds up the damage caused by Hepatitis C by increasing inflammation (swelling and tenderness). Medications for Hepatitis C treatment are less effective in people with fatty liver. If you are overweight, the most effective therapy is lifestyle modifications leading to weight loss,” Dr. Rezzan recommended.

Some people with viral hepatitis suffer from poor appetite, nausea, vomiting and involuntary weight loss, particularly during treatment with medicines. This can lead to malnutrition, muscle wasting and weakness. “With a body weakened in this manner, they become less able to fight off disease. When eating is difficult under the circumstances listed above, it becomes important to eat small amount of food and frequently. One can also have fluid retention in the legs or accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, which is called ascites. Salt reduction is often recommendable and fluid adjustment might be necessary,” the nutritionist advised.

People who also have other medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease or celiac disease alongside Hepatitis C need further dietary advice. As a generalized dietary recommendation, they should limit eating foods that have a lot of sugar, salt or fat.

Deficiencies in certain micronutrients (minerals and vitamins) in the diet increase the severity of liver disease. In this regard, Dr. Rezzan recommended supplementation with L-carnitine, soybean, vitamins E and C, and zinc as having shown to have promising results for Hepatitis C patients.

Green tea and coffee has been suggested to have a protective effect on the liver. However, this is still being investigated. “If you enjoy these beverages, there is no need to stop drinking them,” she added.

There is no magic bullet or one-size-fits-all approach to healthy eating. A competent dietitian or nutritionist can develop a personalized lifestyle plan according to specific tastes, lifestyle needs and health concern of the patients to stick with to meet their goals. This can not only help to control the damage caused by Hepatitis C, but can also have other positive impacts on your life, self-image and happiness.