I have chronic hepatitis C. Are there any foods I should eat or avoid so my liver does not have to work so hard?

S.

There currently are no specific dietary restrictions or recommendations for most patients with chronic hepatitis C. In the minority of patients who develop cirrhosis and liver failure, salt restriction may be required.

However, all patients infected with the hepatitis C virus should abstain from alcohol. Alcohol is toxic to the liver and will accelerate the damage done by hepatitis C, leading to chronic liver disease and its life-threatening complications in a much shorter span of time.

Patients with chronic hepatitis C should also use caution when taking medications. The reason for this recommendation is that some drugs (including over-the-counter products and herbal remedies) have potential side effects affecting the liver. So, be sure to have your doctor and/or pharmacist review all the medications that you are taking.

Another precautionary step for patients with chronic hepatitis C is to get vaccinated against the hepatitis A virus, if they are not already immune to this virus. In healthy people, hepatitis A generally does not cause any lasting problems. However, for a person with chronic hepatitis C, a hepatitis A infection can be devastating and lead to liver failure and death. Spread through infected water or food, hepatitis A is most commonly found in undeveloped nations, but outbreaks have also occurred in the United States.