Diet
As
you eliminate the things that are bad for your liver (and overall health),
start to follow this eating plan. Do
it a little at a time. Eat a variety
of whole, natural foods; six small meals or so throughout the day.
Eat organic, if at all possible, fruits and vegetables
and make fresh juices from them at times.
(Don’t over-load on juices, too much sugar and low on fiber). Eat as many bright colors as possible as they are the richest in
nutrients; dark greens, oranges, yellows and reds.
Eat lots of carrots, broccoli, artichokes, onions, garlic, beets,
lemons, asparagus, cabbage, parsley, apples, blueberries, squash and soy
products. Small amounts
of protein are essential for the liver such as low-fat turkey,
chicken and fish.
Whey protein powder is a great source of amino acids. (It does have a milk base though if you are allergic to milk products).
Stay away from red meat, hamburgers and other processed meats. Total vegetarian and macrobiotic diets are energy depleting for
those with Hepatitis C and are not recommended by most holistic professionals. Learn how to get
enough amino acids and B-12 in your body if you want to stay a vegetarian. Eat
fresh, unprocessed,
not canned as much as possible. Avoid high fat foods, fried, heavy dairy (milk and cheeses), sauces, margarine (a little
butter is fine) and other hydrogenated oils, (read the labels), which put a heavy load on the liver, (and are also linked to cancer and heart
disease), and can cause you to feel more sluggish. Eat the good oils
(in small amounts), which are olive
oil, fish, nuts and avocados. Also, avoid too many spicy and hot foods.
Drink more herbal and green teas, which are full of antioxidants.
Go lightly on carbohydrates, not too much of potatoes, rice and
beans but do make sure you get a lot of fiber. You can add extra fiber with psyllium or flaxseed meal.
As you lighten up your meals and eat more frequently you will notice how much better you will feel. Learn
which foods produce more of an alkaline condition in the body and use them more often then acid forming foods.
Food allergies -
If you have a lot of joint and arthritis pain and/or Fibromyalgia symptoms, it is possible you are allergic to some foods such as dairy, wheat, gluten, eggs, citrus, tomatoes, peanuts, corn, etc.
Get a good book on food allergies or work with your health professional to follow an “elimination diet”.
Many people have reduced, to varying degrees, their joint pain, fatigue, colds and sinus problems by finding out which foods do not agree with
their bodies. For some people this has helped greatly with feeling better.
You may be able to include them back in your diet later after you give your body a detoxing from these foods. Also
you may be suffering from “multiple chemical sensitivities”. Learn as much as you can about removing certain toxins from your
environment.
Vitamins, minerals and
nutrients:
"Antioxidants" are very important for Hepatitis C.
Vitamins C, E, beta-carotene and selenium and zinc.
These are all virus fighters found in fresh fruits, vegetables and grains and supplements.
“B”
vitamins, all of them, especially B-12, (which some take in injections or under the tongue for better absorption) and folic acid.
Do not take a multi-vitamin with IRON, which the virus binds to. “Lecithin”
and “Essential Fatty Acids” (the omega-3 and omega-6 oils) such as found in flax seed oil, nuts and fish.
“Amino Acids” (protein) are the building blocks and Livatropic Factors are “essential” for the liver to break down toxins and
help metabolize fats. One, “Glutathione”, is very important for its anti-viral qualities.
NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine) and Alpha lipoic acid, are often taken as they are then converted
to Gluathione by the body.
Other important nutrients to explore are and that are recommended by health
professionals:
Coenzyme Q12, MSM (a natural sulfur), Thymic Protein A (under the tongue) and other Thymic factors, Chlorella (a safe grown form of Blue-Green algae, but don’t:
Take if you have high iron levels), Licorice extract (glycyrrhizin), known to block Viruses
but do not use if you have high blood pressure. Grape seed extract which is a powerful antioxidant and DHEA (a master hormone that declines with
age), but do not take unless you have taken a blood test and have low levels and are working
with a professional. Also it can increase the hormone’s testosterone and estrogen – use cautiously if you
have prostate, breast or ovarian cancer in your family history.
Note:
Use professional brand quality vitamins, minerals and herbs.
Some good brands are Thorne, Tyler, Scientific Botanicals, Carlson,
Enzymatic Therapy and Allergy Research Group.
Herbs:
Milk Thistle, (active ingredient is Silymarin), is “essential” and has been studied extensively for Hepatitis C and is widely recommended for
improvement of liver function and for its liver protective qualities. Buy high quality and standardized only to make sure you are getting the
best absorption. It has been found to be more effective when combined with phosphatidyl choline
(found in lecithin). Olive Leaf Extract is currently being researched for viral reduction.
Dandelion root, Artichoke, Oregon Grape Root and Turmeric are all considered good herbs
or the liver. St. Johns Wort is an herb widely used for mild depression and has helped many Hepatitis C patients (including me) to feel better and
cope with their illness. It also has anti-viral qualities. Fresh and supplemental garlic, onion and other sulfur foods are good for the
liver. Enchincea, astragalus and goldenseal help strengthen the immune system but
should only be taken for short periods of time.
Important
notes on taking herbs:
- Do not take herbs with prescription drugs without first consulting your health
practitioner. Some do not mix well. Check it out first.
- Consult
also with your doctor if you are pregnant or think you might be.
Many herbs are not recommended during pregnancy and nursing.
- Stop taking all herbs at least two weeks before any surgery.
Many herbs thin the blood and are causing excessive bleeding and other
complications during surgery. That also includes having your liver biopsy done.
This is very important.
RESOURCES:
Books and Magazines: (for improving over-all health and your immune system and for emotional and spiritual health).
Read and explore everything you can about what is helping others to improve their health, especially those with other illnesses such as cancer, chronic fatigue
and AIDS.
General holistic health books:
“Healthy
Healing: a guide to self-healing” by
Linda Rector-Page N.D., PH.D.
A favorite research guide for all types of diseases, info on
nutrition, herbs, healing and cleansing programs.
Optimal Wellness” by
Ralph Golan M.D. A local
holistic doctor. Must read
chapters on the “Sluggish liver”, “Adrenal exhaustion”, “Yeast
overgrowth”,
“Food allergies” and
“The toxic bowel”.
Alternative
Medicine: A definitive guide” A
high priced but comprehensive guide with great
information from many holistic doctors around the country.
“Women’s
Bodies, Women’s Wisdom” by
Christine Northrup M.D.
The best book
out on all stages of women’s health including info on natural hormone
replacement for menopause.
Any books by the following health professionals:
(plus many more too numerous to mention)
Bernie Siegel, M.D.
- Michael Murphy N.D. :
Joseph Pizzorno N.D
Elson Haas, M.D.
Books on herbs by:
Varro Tyler - James Duke
- Christopher Hobbs:
Healing with the mind-body connection, emotions and spirit:
Any books by: Joan Borysenko
- Caroline Myss, PH.D.
- Louise Hay
(order great book catalogue at 1-800-654-5126)
Shakti Gawain -
Larry Dossey M.D.-Dr.
Wayne Dyer
Gary Zukav
- Phillip McGraw PH.D
