World Hepatitis Day: Every year, July 28 is observed as World Hepatitis Day. Read below to know the top dietary changes you need to make in order to prevent liver damage because of hepatitis.
World Hepatitis Day 2018 falls on July 28. Every year, the day is celebrated all across the world in order to raise awareness about hepatitis and preventive measures for liver damage. Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver. Commonly, hepatitis is caused because of a viral infection. Autoimmune hepatitis and hepatitis occur because of medications, drugs, alcohol abuse and toxins. Autoimmune hepatitis happens when the body makes antibodies against liver tissue. This world hepatitis day, we talk about the dietary changes that people with hepatitis should make in order to prevent any further damage to the liver, and minimise the already existing damage.
Protection of liver can simply be done by paying more attention to nutrition. Following a healthy and balanced diet is the best way to control liver damage in people with hepatitis.
A diet which includes low-fat or non-fat dairy products, lots of fruits and vegetables, good fat sources such as nuts and seeds, olive oil, whole grains like barley, brown rice, oats and sources of lean protein like egg whites, chicken, beans and fish.
A generous mixture of high fibre carbs, proteins, fruits and vegetables should be consumed on a daily basis in case of hepatitis. Also, attention needs to be paid to drinking lots of fluids. Drinking around 10 glasses of water is important for people with hepatitis.
Things to avoid in case of hepatitis
People suffering from hepatitis should take note that eating unhealthy foods can contribute to liver damage. Eating foods in high in calories, fats or sugar can make you gain weight. This weight gain is such that it results in fat accumulation the liver. Fatty liver poses numerous risks to health, including liver scarring and cirrhosis. Fatty liver may also result in ineffectiveness of hepatitis virus.
People with hepatitis should avoid eating foods high in saturated fats. These include sour cream, butter, fatty cuts of meat, fried foods and high-fat dairy. Sugary treats like soda, cake, cookies and packaged baked goods must also be avoided. Foods with high salts and alcohol must all be avoided in case you have hepatitis. Processed foods are big no-no for people with hepatitis. Consumption of processed foods should otherwise be avoided for good health.
Other precautionary measures for hepatitis include washing meat, vegetables and fruits properly. Any potentially harmful residues must be removed. Wash your hands before and after your meals.
Save Your Liver With These 10 Superfoods
Damage to your liver can be costly for your life. This big brown organ sits in the right side of our belly and filters blood coming from the digestive system before passing it on to other parts of the body. Good health of your liver is important for blood clotting to happen whenever you have a bleeding wound. Unfortunately, your liver is also prone to a lot of threats. Infection, heavy alcohol drinking, obesity, allergic reactions and certain other genetic factors can disrupt your liver’s good health, leading to liver failure, hepatitis, gallstones and even cancer. But simple lifestyle changes, like including some particular foods in your diet can help you in maintaining your liver’s health in the long run.
Ahead of World Hepatitis Day, here are 10 diet changes you should make to save your liver.
1. Oatmeal
Food with lots of fiber can help your liver work at its best. Research shows that oatmeal can help you shed some extra pounds and belly fat, which is a good way to keep away liver disease.
2. Non-fried food
French fries and burgers are a poor choice if you want to your liver alive. Eating too many foods that are high in saturated fat and can make it harder for your liver to metabolize. Over time it may lead to inflammation, which in turn could cause scarring of the liver, a condition that’s known as cirrhosis.
3. Broccoli
Add lots of cruciferous veggies to your diet to keep your liver healthy. Studies suggest that this crunchy food can protect you from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. You can also steam broccoli or toss it in a tangy salad dressing to eat more of it in a day.
4. Coffee
If you can’t make it through the day without a cup of coffee, you’ll be glad to hear that coffee may have some benefits for your liver. Certain researches show that drinking two to three cups a day can protect your liver by reversing the damage caused by too much alcohol or an unhealthy diet.
5. Non-sugary foods
Too much sweet stuff can take a toll on your liver. This is because part of the liver’s job is to convert sugar into fat. If you overdo it, your liver makes too much fat, which ends up hanging around where it doesn’t belong. In the long run, you could get a condition like hepatitis.
6. Green Tea
Green tea is rich in antioxidants, particularly the catechins. Research suggests that eating antioxidant-rich food can protect you from some forms of cancer, including liver. This happens because antioxidants fight off the damage causing radicals and stop tissue inflammation. Substitutes like iced tea and ready-to-drink green teas have much lower levels than organic green tea leaves.
7. Water
One of the most important changes to make to your diet for a healthy liver is to keep a healthy weight. Drink water instead of sweetened drinks like sodas or sports drinks. You can add lemon and honey to the water to make it more easy to drink larger quantities of water.
8. Almonds
Nuts, especially almonds are good sources of vitamin E, a nutrient that research suggests may help protect against fatty liver disease or hepatic steatosis. Almonds are good for your heart too. You can eat them as it is or try them in salads.
9. Less Salty Food
A diet high in sodium may lead to fibrosis, which is the first stage of liver scarring. Some easy things you can do to cut back on salt include avoiding processed foods and choosing fresh vegetables instead of canned ones.
10. Spinach
Leafy greens have a powerful antioxidant called glutathione, which can help keep your liver working right. And spinach couldn’t be easier to prepare. It makes a great base for a dinner salad, and it’s also delicious sauteed with garlic and olive oil. The Indian palak paneer and kofta are also healthy options.
Disclaimer: All information, data and material has been sourced from multiple authors and is for general information and educational purposes only and are not intended to replace the advice of your treating doctor.
The views and nutritional advice expressed are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician
