Viral hepatitis is a liver disease caused by a virus, and if left untreated, it can lead to liver scarring and an increased risk of cancer.
The good news is that Noel R. Fajardo, MD, Filippo Cremonini, MD, PhD, MSc, and our team at Las Vegas Gastroenterology diagnose and treat viral hepatitis in our viral hepatitis clinic in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Here, we focus on one component of your treatment plan — nutritional counseling — and how it can support your liver health.
When you have viral hepatitis, your liver is under stress. Your liver is responsible for processing nutrients, breaking down toxins, and managing energy, and what you eat can support proper liver function.
A well-balanced diet can:
Your liver regenerates cells, and a healthy diet helps your liver repair damaged cells and regenerate new ones. What you eat supplies your body with the energy, antioxidants, phytonutrients, and vitamin B12 your body needs to complete these tasks.
Liver inflammation is a common issue with viral hepatitis, and anti-inflammatory foods can reduce body-wide inflammation. On the flip side, certain foods can trigger inflammation (including liver inflammation).
If you’re already battling a liver disease or infection, it’s even more important to avoid the foods that exacerbate inflammation.
A strong immune system helps your body fight off viral infections, including hepatitis, and food can bolster your immune system.
This is especially true of food that contains fiber. Fiber is a prebiotic and feeds the microbiome in your gut. The stronger your gut is, the stronger your immune system is. That’s because 80% of your immune system is in your gut.
You can also load up on probiotic-rich foods like sauerkraut, kefir, and kimchi to further fortify your gut.
Now that you know why your diet is so important, let’s talk about what foods to eat. Certain nutrients can protect and support your liver, so focus on:
Your body needs protein to repair damaged liver cells. Add lean sources like chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, tofu, and legumes to your diet.
Whole grains, fruits, and vegetables provide a steady source of energy without overloading your liver with excessive sugars.
Avoid refined carbohydrates, which include pastries, white flour, processed snacks, and white pasta.
Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish, nuts, seeds, and olive oil, have anti-inflammatory properties that benefit liver health.
Focus on vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc, which help boost your immune system and protect liver cells. Leafy greens, citrus fruits, nuts, and seeds are good sources.
What you drink can also affect your liver. Drinking plenty of water — that’s at least eight glasses each day — helps your liver flush out toxins.
Herbal tea and green tea can also help with liver inflammation, but always check with our team before trying a new supplement or herbal tea.
Limit sugary drinks, caffeine, and alcohol.
Certain foods can be hard on your liver, especially if it’s already compromised by hepatitis. Avoid alcohol and processed foods, including processed meat, sweets, and high-sodium foods.
In addition to watching what you eat, healthy lifestyle practices can also help you protect your liver. Regular exercise, stress management, and good quality sleep can help you fight both inflammation and infections.
Good nutrition is just one element of your treatment plan, but knowing where to start can be tough.
Here in our viral hepatitis clinic at Las Vegas Gastroenterology, we offer a suite of services to help you manage the condition, including nutritional counseling. We’ll recommend the right foods for you.
In addition to nutritional counseling, we also offer:
Do you have questions about viral hepatitis? Call either of our Las Vegas, Nevada, locations or click here to request your appointment in our viral hepatitis clinic.
