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Natural treatment & home remedies for Hepatitis C

The hepatitis C is an infection which is caused by the Hepatitis C Virus. It is a lifelong condition which can lead to serious problems. When the hepatitis C virus infects the person, then the affected person can experience symptoms of hepatitis C, caused by an inflamed liver. You should know that the hepatitis C virus does not attack the immune system. This virus causes inflammatory response within the liver.

There are some cases when people are able to fight this virus while it is in the acute phase. There are some studies in which are noticed that 75 – 85% of people infected with hepatitis C progress to a chronic infection which persists for more than 6 months [1]. The chronic hepatitis C causes tiny scars in the liver which is disabling the proper liver function. The chronic hepatitis C leads to inflammation and scarring of the liver and it can cause serious health problems, such as liver cancer, liver failure, cirrhosis and death.

The most common symptoms of hepatitis C include confusion; itchy skin; yellowed eyes and skin; weight loss; loss of appetite; stomach pain; swelling of the belly; dark – colored urine; sore muscles; joint pain; swelling in the legs; vomiting; nausea; diarrhea; fever; bruising easily; taking longer for bleeding to stop; fatigue. The most common causes and risk factors for hepatitis C are childbirth; being born between 1945 – 1965; sexual activity; drug use [2]. If you suffer from hepatitis C, then you need to talk with your doctor before you start using some of the below mentioned home remedies so in this way you will avoid side effects.

Home remedies for hepatitis C

Home remedies for hepatitis C

Engage in gentle physical activity

If you are making gentle exercises throughout the week, then it can help you to get a relief from some symptoms of hepatitis C, such as low energy and tiredness. Tai Chi, qigong, pilates and yoga are some great forms of gentle exercises. Also, the walk outside can be a beneficial by helping you to boost energy levels and to raise your Vitamin D levels too. These types of exercises benefit your body, but also they can make benefits to your mind and spirit. This is very important when you are in fight against the symptoms of hepatitis C and the associated health problems. [3]

Avoid alcohol and drug use

Those people who suffer from hepatitis C should know that their liver cannot break down alcohol quickly enough and this can lead to inflammation and toxicity. Also, the alcohol makes it more difficult for your liver to absorb essential nutrients. When you drink alcohol, then it can contribute to vitamin and mineral deficiencies which will make the symptoms of hepatitis C worse. Also, there are some studies in which are said that the injected drugs are one of the leading causes for hepatitis C [2]. If you are already infected with the hepatitis C, then you can spread it to others if you keep using it. Also, you are harming your body and spirit with these drugs which can increase your chances to become another death of despair. You should quit drinking alcohol and using drugs as soon as possible because this can help you to save your life.

Avoid becoming overweight

You should maintain a healthy weight and you should especially, avoid carrying excess weight on your abdomen. The excess fat over your abdomen will creep into your liver and it will compromise its function. The fat inside the liver can worsen the inflammation and it can promote fibrosis in the liver.

Eat a well – balanced diet

The most common symptoms of hepatitis C are loss of appetite and weight loss. It is very important for people who suffer from hepatitis C to eat a healthy and well – balanced diet in order to ensure that they are getting the essential vitamins and minerals. If you are experiencing digestive problems or you have trouble eating, then you should stick to small and simple meals and water throughout the day. You should eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, high – fiber foods which help to regulate digestion and healthy fats (like avocadoes and coconut oil). Also, you should consume probiotic foods because they are beneficial for your health. You can consume foods which can help to cleanse the liver so it can function properly, like liver from organic and grass – fed cattle, ginger root, bananas and sweet potatoes. You should stay away from the refined carbohydrates and sugars, processed foods and sugary drinks because they can damage your liver further. [4]

Drink some coffee

There are some studies in which are said that the regular coffee consumption is associated with lower rates of liver fibrosis in people who suffer from hepatitis C [5]. You should ask your doctor if you should drink coffee so you will know that it will not have side effects for you.

Vitamin D for hepatitis C

There are some studies in which are said that Vitamin D deficiency is very common for people who suffer from hepatitis C because this vitamin needs to be stored in the liver and fatty tissues. You should get enough Vitamin D because it can help to enhance the immune system function, improve the mood and concentration and it can help in the fight against diabetes which is a very common for people who suffer from hepatitis C. There are some studies in which are shown that taking Vitamin D supplements along with hepatitis C medications can have positive effects by helping to raise Vitamin D levels. [6]

Black seed oil for hepatitis C

The black seed oil can benefit the liver due to its anti – cancer, immune – stimulating, anti – inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The key component of the black seed oil is thymoquinone which can protect the liver from injury through several mechanisms, like elevating glutathione levels and scavenging free radicals. There are some studies in which are shown that the black seed oil can protect the liver from liver damage [7]. Also, the black seed oil can postpone the progression of hepatitis C.

Probiotics

There are some studies in which are shown that the probiotics can help to support the liver because the beneficial bacteria in the gut can promote the health of the liver and it allows it to function properly. Also, probiotics can help to improve the immune system’s defense which can help to fight against the overgrowth of pathogens which can lead to disease. If there are too many unhealthy bacteria in the intestines, then this can have a serious impact on the liver. There was one study in which was noticed that probiotic therapy can reduce the symptoms and improve different types of liver diseases [8]. Also, in the studies was noticed that probiotic therapy is safe, inexpensive and noninvasive when it is used by patients with liver disease.

Zinc for hepatitis C

This is very important mineral for the liver function and it plays a role in multiple aspects of the immune system. There are some studies in which are found that zinc supplements can help to improve the symptoms of hepatitis C, including hair loss, weight loss and digestive issues. Also, zinc is a powerful antioxidant which can boost the immune function and this is a reason why it is important for people who fight against hepatitis C virus. [9]

Milk thistle for hepatitis C

There are some studies in which are found that milk thistle can benefit some patients and it can cause few side effects. It has been found that milk thistle can stimulate growth of liver cells, reduce inflammation and protect the liver cells from damage and even it can have antiviral effect against the hepatitis C virus. [10]

Colloidal silver: This natural cure is often used as a home remedy for hepatitis C. Some people believe that it can help to reduce the symptoms of this virus but this is inaccurate. There are no studies which currently support this theory. The FDA says that the colloidal silver is not a safe or effective treatment for any disease. There can be side effects from the usage of colloidal silver, such as permanent and grayish discoloration of the skin and argyria. Some people think that the colloidal silver is not safe treatment for hepatitis C so you should talk with your doctor before you start using it.

Acupuncture

This is a traditional form of Chinese medicine. In the acupuncture, thin needles are inserted through the skin at specific points to stimulate the healing and well being. Usually, it is used to treat pain and nausea. You should talk with your doctor if you can use the acupuncture as your home remedy for hepatitis C. [11]

References:

[1] Blackard JT, Shata MT, Shire NJ, Sherman KE. Acute Hepatitis C virus infection: A chronic problem. Hepatology. 2008;47(1):321–31.

[2] Suan MAM, Said SM, Lim PY, et al. Risk factors for hepatitis C infection among adult patients in Kedah state, Malaysia: A case–control study. PLoS One. 2019;14(10):e0224459.

[3] Monaghan A, Forde C, Norris S, Gormley J. Aerobic exercise and physical activity interventions in the management of hepatic manifestations of chronic hepatitis C; a systematic review. International Liver Congress. 2017.

[4] Yasutake K, Kohjima M, Nakashima M, et al. Nutrition therapy for liver diseases based on the status of nutritional intake. Gastroenterology Research and Practice. 2012;2012:859697.

[5] Freedman ND, Everhart JE, Lindsay KL, et al. HEP-09-0485: Coffee intake is associated with lower rates of liver disease progression in chronic hepatitis C. Hepatology. 2009;50(5):1360-9.

[6] Refaat B, El-Shemi AG, Ashshi A, Azhar E. Vitamin D and chronic hepatitis C: effects on success rate and prevention of side effects associated with pegylated interferon-α and ribavirin. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine. 2015;8(7):10284–303.

[7] Mollazadeh H, Hosseinzadeh H. The protective effect of Nigella sativa against liver injury: a review. Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences. 2014;17(12):958–66.

[8] Fooladi AAI, Hosseini HM, Nourani MR, et al. Probiotic as a novel treatment strategy against liver disease. Hepatitis Monthly. 2013;13(2):e7521.

[9] National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Hepatitis C and dietary supplements. 2018. Retrieved from www.nccih.nih.gov/health/hepatitis-c-and-dietary-supplements.

[10] Yang Z, Zhuang L, Lu Y, et al. Effects and tolerance of silymarin (Milk thistle) in Chronic hepatitis C virus infection patients: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BioMed Research International. 2014;2014:941085.

[11] Golden SE, Miller D, Hansen L, et al. The experience of veterans with hepatitis C and acupuncture: A mixed methods pilot study. European Journal of Integrative Medicine. 2017;10:8-18.

Ramesh Kumar
Ramesh Kumar
Dr. Ramesh kumar, BAMS is naturopathy doctor who is well versed with health benefits of all fruits, vegetables and medicinal plants

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