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Diet and Nutrition
for Hepatitis C Sufferers
What you eat and drink has a direct affect on your liver. When you have Hepatitis C you will want to eat healthy and avoid alcohol. Eating healthy can help your immune system fight the Hepatitis C virus and can also help with the side effects of treatments. Proper diet can help your body to heal itself and can also help to keep up your energy level and fight off fatigue. To maintain a healthy diet, you should at the very least, follow the USDA Food Guide Pyramid. Vitamins and mineral supplements may also be used to strengthen your immune system and to make sure your body is getting the right nutrients.
The right diet is important for those with Hepatitis C as it will help you to maintain your normal weight and will provide the right mix of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, fiber, vitamins and minerals to keep you immune system operating at its maximum capability.
If you have Hepatitis C, maintaining your proper weight may be a problem. If you are not eating well and getting the proper nutrients, your body will call on stored proteins, vitamins, minerals and sugars to make up for your reduced calorie intake. Usually you will not be eating enough protein rich foods and your body will start to take protein from stored sources such as muscle. This will cause an increase in weakness and fatigue and deterioration of your muscles.
To determine your daily protein and calorie needs refer to the following table:
| Protein in Grams | Body Weight / 2 |
| Calories | Body Weight x 15 |
IRON - High blood-iron levels have been linked to a greater likelihood of developing cirrhosis or cancer.
Your salt intake should be kept below 2,000 milligrams a day. You should not add salt to food and read food labels carefully to determine sodium content. If you have acities (fluid build-up around the abdomen) or edema (fluid build-up in the legs and feet, cutting back on salt intake will help as salt causes you to retain fluids
Tips for coping with eating problems associated with chronic hepatitis C :
- Add low fat foods with plenty of fruits and vegetables.
- Keep your food portions small so that the amount of food does not seem overwhelming.
- Try light exercise before a meal to help increase your appetite.
- Avoid citrus fruits.
- Eat more protein rich foods when you have the best appetite.
- Try protein or high calorie supplement drinks when you don't feel like eating.
- It is best to stay away from red meat, switch to fish or chicken.
- Other protein rich foods that may be easy to tolerate are beans, unsalted nuts, cheese, yogurt, tuna, eggs or peanut butter.
- If you have nausea, eat small amounts of food every two to three hours if possible. Avoid citrus juices. Try apple or grape juices, ginger ale, chicken broth, green tea or sports drinks. Avoid spicy, greasy or deep fried foods.
Most doctors recommend taking a supplement of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients if you have Hepatitis C. If you also have cirrhosis, it is even more important as you will most likely be deficient in certain vitamins and minerals. MAKE SURE you do not take a supplement that contain IRON as your liver stores excess iron if you have Hepatitis C.
Here is what you should look for in a daily vitamin and mineral supplements:
| Vitamin | Dose | Mineral | Dose | |
| Vitamin A | 5,000-10,000 iu | Calcium | 30 mg | |
| Vitamin C | 200-500 mg | Iodine | 100 mcg | |
| Vitamin D | 400 iu | Magnesium | 30 mg | |
| Vitamin E | 60-120 iu | Zinc | 5 mg | |
| Vitamin K | 30-90 mcg | Selenium | 25-75 mcg | |
| Vitamin B1 | 6 mg | Copper | 0.5-2.0 mg | |
| Vitamin B2 | 6 mg | Manganese | < 2.5 mg | |
| Vitamin B3 | 20 mg | Chromium | 50-100 mcg | |
| Vitamin B6 | 6 mg | Molybdenum | 12-1,000 mcg | |
| Folic Acid | 400 mcg | |||
| Vitamin B12 | 25 mcg | |||
| Biotin | 300 mcg | |||
| Pantothenic Acid | 30 mg |