10 Healthy Dietary Tips to Avoid Liver Damage Due to Hepatitis

Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver, which is one of the vital organs in our body. A healthy liver is effective in processing nutrients, combating infections, and filtering the blood. However, when the liver is inflamed or damaged, its functioning can get affected negatively. Excessive intake of alcohol, liver infections, toxins, certain medications, and some medical conditions can cause hepatitis. Several viruses cause hepatitis. Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C are the most common types of viral hepatitis affecting people. Of these, safe and effective vaccines can help prevent hepatitis A and hepatitis B. Chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C are known to be prominent causes of liver cancer. With the rightly prescribed medicines, hepatitis C patients can heal. The majority of hepatitis B patients are unaware of their infection, and a marked percentage of individuals living with hepatitis C do not know that they are infected. Getting tested for hepatitis B and hepatitis C at least once in a lifetime can help detect the infection and avoid potential liver damage. And, getting tested is the only reliable way to learn if you have hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection. So, May is observed as Hepatitis Awareness Month every year to raise awareness about viral infection among the masses worldwide to prevent the infection and enable the infected ones to receive the right treatment to avoid liver damage. Adopting the right diet comprising liver-friendly foods and foods to avoid with fatty liver can also help prevent liver damage when battling hepatitis. So, you might be wondering what dietary measures can help improve liver health and prevent liver damage, aren’t you? Continue reading to learn all about it.

10 Healthy Diet Tips to Follow When Battling Hepatitis to Avoid Liver Damage:

Here’s a list of helpful dietary measures that can help you improve your liver health and prevent liver damage.

1. Say No to Alcohol and Smoking:

   Avoid alcohol consumption and smoking as it will hamper your liver health and function. When your liver is already injured due to the hepatitis B virus, alcohol and smoking will hurt it more and cause more liver damage. So, say no to alcohol and tobacco.

2. Eat a Healthy Diet:

   A nutritious diet comprising fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fish helps protect your liver against various environmental chemicals. Consuming leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables, such as cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli, are effective in managing hepatitis and minimizing fatty acid composition in the liver. So, enrich your fatty liver disease diet with fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.

3. Savour Protein Food Sources:

   Eating a good quantity of proteins is necessary when you are battling chronic hepatitis. The intake of proteins helps avoid muscle loss and malnutrition. However, excess proteins can cause complications, such as a condition called encephalopathy. So, consult a certified dietician and your doctor and receive a personalized diet comprising protein-rich foods for fatty liver in the right quantities. Lentils, nuts, and beans are some healthy protein sources that you can go for.

4. Limit the Intake of Sugar:

   Hepatitis patients need to be careful about their intake of sugar and ensure that they consume sugar in moderation. They are at an increased risk of suffering from diabetes. Limiting their sugar intake can help reduce the risk of turning diabetic. So, limit the intake of sodas, packaged snacks, desserts, fruit juices, and other foods containing added sugar when battling hepatitis.

5. Avoid or Limit the Intake of Saturated Fats:

   Saturated fats are not healthy for hepatitis patients. So, refrain from eating fried foods and fatty cuts of meat.

6. Be Careful About Your Salt Intake:

   Healthy liver cirrhosis diet limits the intake of salt. Excess intake of salt can cause fluid buildup in the abdomen if hepatitis progresses to liver cirrhosis and lead to a condition called ascites. So, limit your intake of heavily processed foods, fried foods, microwavable meals, convenience foods, and snacks.

7. Avoid Eating Undercooked or Raw Shellfish:

   Raw or undercooked scallops, mussels, oysters, and clams can contain Vibrio vulnificus, a kind of bacteria that is extremely toxic to the liver and that can damage it.

8. Watch Your Iron Intake:

   The liver has a crucial role in the metabolism and excretion of iron. So, chronic hepatitis patients may experience iron overload and are unable to release iron properly from their bodies. This increases the risk of liver tissue damage. So, when battling hepatitis, you need to reduce the intake of iron food sources. However, iron is an essential element of your diet. So, you should not eliminate this crucial mineral. Also, vitamin C increases iron absorption from food. So, consult a certified dietician or nutritionist to have iron and reduce vitamin C in the right amounts when battling hepatitis.

9. Keep an Eye Out for the Signs of Moulds on Foods:

   While buying foods, such as millet, nuts, corn, sorghum, and groundnut, check for the development of mould. If these foods are stored in damp places or not well-sealed, they are likely to develop mould on them. If mould is present, the foods are likely to be contaminated due to aflatoxins, which increases the risk of liver cancer.

10. Reduce Your Stress:

    Reducing your stress can help improve your health and well-being. So, adopt a healthy liver cirrhosis diet, do moderate exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep.

Some Helpful Tips to Follow When Battling Hepatitis:

• Do not skip your meals when you are recovering from hepatitis.
• Prefer to relish small meals.
• Drink ample water daily.
• Have adequate rest.
• Avoid consuming over-the-counter drugs and vitamin supplements without consulting a certified doctor and certified nutritionist respectively.

Now that you know which dietary measures can help you manage hepatitis and avoid liver damage, try to follow them to improve your liver health. Let’s spread the word about these beneficial dietary tips this Hepatitis Awareness Month so that a maximum number of people can benefit from them. The precious guidance of certified dieticians and nutritionists at Health Total can help you receive a customised fatty liver disease diet comprising liver-friendly foods. Our diet plan for hepatitis not only helps you improve your liver health but also meets your nutritional requirements, manages weight, boosts immunity, and prevents or lowers potential health risks. So, think no further, reach out to us at Health Total and take a step forward to improve your liver health with our personalized liver cirrhosis diet.

Sign up for a FREE consultation with Health Total experts to get more tips for improving your liver health with diet or managing any other health condition. Call toll-free at 1-800-833-171709 and Book Free Consultation!