Have you ever heard someone say, “I have hepatitis, so I just need to stop eating oily foods”?
Not exactly.
Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. It can have different causes, including hepatitis viruses, alcohol, certain medicines or toxins, and autoimmune conditions. The common viral types are hepatitis A, B, C, D and E.
And here is something many people don't know:
Your diet can support your liver, but food alone does not cure viral hepatitis.
So what should someone with hepatitis actually do?
1. Eat a balanced diet
Your liver needs adequate energy and nutrients to function properly.
Build your meals around:
• Rice, oats, maize, millet, sorghum and other whole grains
• Beans, lentils and other legumes
• Vegetables such as ugu, ewedu, okra, spinach, waterleaf, carrots and cabbage
• Fruits such as pawpaw, watermelon, oranges, apples, bananas and mangoes
• Protein sources such as fish, eggs, chicken, beans and other appropriate lean protein sources
A healthy diet should provide variety, balance, moderation and adequate nutrition.
2. Don't completely avoid carbohydrates or protein
Someone with hepatitis does not automatically need a “no-carbohydrate” or “low-protein” diet.
For example:
Rice + beans + vegetables + fish
Boiled yam + egg sauce + vegetables
Amala + ewedu + moderate soup + fish
Tuwo shinkafa + miyan kuka + fish
Oats + milk/yoghurt + fruit + egg
The exact diet may need to change if the person has complications such as cirrhosis or malnutrition.
3. Be very careful with alcohol
If you have liver disease, alcohol can add further stress and damage to the liver.
For people with alcohol-related liver disease, complete avoidance of alcohol is recommended.
4. Don't take herbal mixtures or supplements just because someone says they “clean the liver”
This is very important.
Natural does not automatically mean safe.
Some supplements, herbs and complementary products can cause liver injury or interact with medicines. People with hepatitis should discuss supplements and even over-the-counter medicines with their healthcare professional.
5. Be careful with painkillers and medicines
Don't assume that because a medicine is sold over the counter, it is automatically safe for your liver.
For example, WHO advises people with acute hepatitis A to avoid unnecessary medicines that may adversely affect the liver, including acetaminophen/paracetamol, unless medically advised.
Always tell your doctor or pharmacist that you have hepatitis before starting a medicine or supplement.
6. Drink enough fluids
During acute hepatitis, especially when there is vomiting or diarrhoea, maintaining hydration and adequate nutrition is important.
Water, soups and other appropriate fluids can contribute to your daily fluid intake.
7. Don't forget prevention
Different types of hepatitis spread differently.
Hepatitis A and E are commonly associated with contaminated food or water.
Hepatitis B, C and D are associated mainly with infected blood or other infected body fluids, with hepatitis B also capable of transmission from mother to baby and through sexual contact.
So practical precautions include:
• Don't share needles or other equipment that can contact blood
• Use properly sterilised equipment for procedures involving the skin
• Make sure blood is properly screened
• Practice safer sex
• Pregnant women should receive appropriate hepatitis B testing and care
• Get vaccinated against hepatitis B
• Practise good hand hygiene and food/water safety
• Don't share personal items such as toothbrushes or razors when blood contamination is possible
WHO's current hepatitis B and C guidance places major emphasis on vaccination, prevention of mother-to-child transmission, blood and injection safety, testing and effective treatment.
And one more thing...
Don't wait until you develop yellow eyes before taking hepatitis seriously.
Some people can have hepatitis without obvious symptoms. Testing and proper medical follow-up are important, especially for hepatitis B and C, which can become chronic and contribute to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Nutrition can support the liver.
But nutrition should work together with proper testing, medical treatment, vaccination where appropriate, and prevention.
So if someone tells you:
“Just take this herbal mixture and your hepatitis will disappear.”
Please don't rely on that advice.
Your liver deserves proper care.
Have you or someone you know ever been diagnosed with hepatitis? What was the first thing you were told to eat or avoid?
