Hep B Nutrition Question

[Raja510]

First of all I like to commend all the posters here for a great site. I've been spending some time reading but wanted to get some feedback on some nutritional and supplement questions.

For a background:
I'm a 32 year old male of south asian decent. I have chronic Hep B since birth. Currently I'm on Lamividune thearpy alone.  ALT/AST levels are in the normal range after starting Lamividune 15 months ago. My VL is UD currently.

My question comes about diet. I couldn't find a good answer on what I should and should not be eating? Obviously alcohol is out of the question but is any amount acceptable? Does one or two drinks a week ocause damage or is the consenous that 0 drinks is the way to go.

Is there a suggested diet one should follow that has been shown to benefit those with Hepatitis? Same goes for supplements?  I know these are a lot of questions, but I'm just trying to figure out what is the best way for me to live the longest life I can. :)  Thanks in advance!

R

[darkgreen]

If you want to take tumeric, just take curcumin in supplement form since it comes without the aflatoxins...

[stef2011]

we know interferon sides and it is rarely used on hbv

[darkgreen]

Note: Some articles on the internet about ill effects of St John's Wort with interferon:
http://casereports.bmj.com/content/2009/bcr.08.2008.0761.abstract

[stef2011]

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/Research-supported-antifibrotics---do-they-exist/show/346752

here are all the antifibrotic substnces which reverse fibrosis, old post from HR a scentist who posted years ago on this forum

[darkgreen]

p.s. Also Taurine & Liquorice (Root)

[darkgreen]

Definitely steer clear of high AFLATOXIN foods. This actually includes

TUMERIC and PEANUTS and CORN

Google Aflatoxin and Hepatitis B

Drink heaps of fresh fruit and vegetable juice and organic salads. Stay clear of non-organic chicken, dairy, sugar and processed foods.

Great supplements to check out:
Phyllanthus
Bupleurum Chinese/Bupleureum Falcatum
Peony Root and Bark
Globe Artichoke
Picrorhiza
SAMe ie S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine
St John's Wort
Dandelion Root
Wormwood
Hops
Gentien Root
Chicory Root
Angostura

Phyllanthus (niruri and urinaria are apparently more powerful than amarus) is fantastic. Modern western science hasn't truly understood its effects but it apparently stops or inhibits the Hep B virus from reproducing in your body.

[jb7777]

hi all,

Coffee, most vegetables and fruits are good for liver.

Coffee has been proven scientifically to reduce risk of liver cancer.

Reduce high iron diet:
1. Meats of animals with four legs.  (replaced with chicken and fish)
2. Ducks
3. Nuts and cereals
4. Internal organs of animals, including liver, bone, etc

JB

[cccmiao]

What's wrong with nuts and cereal?

[zehra15]

I've recently dicovered this site, I was diognosed with HBV two months ago, I'm not on treatment but I watch what I eat, does this ever go away?

[cajim]

Thank you for the info.

My diet according to Court Doctor Liu's method is a little similar but mostly different.

Let me point out the differences and why:

1.  Vegetables are eaten raw whenever possible not steamed, for vitamins and minerals and fiber;
2.  No snacks at all because most ready to eat snacks are processed foods with chemicals in them;
3.  No sweets at all because they give more bads and goods;
4.  No rice because it gives more starch than is healthy;
5.  Herbs, yes, but four different ones tested using prisoners 600-700 years ago as subjects for their function of increasing our absorption ability;
6.  No meal after 12noon, just fish/beef soup and fruit juice, reason for strong absorption ability, detoxification, etc;
7.  Vitamins always come from vegetables and fruits, not from bottles in Costco because the latter are chemicals.

[zellyf]

The day alfalfa sprouts constitutes a "snack" is the day I throw in the towel on eating.

[AsianMale]

Perhaps a more general but more controversial diet is outlined by The China Study:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China_Study

Dr. Campbell has shown that diets high in animal protein "are strongly linked to diseases such as heart disease, cancer and Type 2 diabetes". The authors recommend that people eat a whole food, plant-based diet and avoid consuming beef, poultry and milk (or anything containing casein or caseinogen) as a means to minimize and/or reverse the development of chronic disease.

The study also shows the importance of sufficient Vitamin D intake (which you can get through adequate amounts of sunshine) and B12 intake (through supplements).

Mugay, if I were you, I would focus on getting sufficient amounts of Vitamin D and B. Getting 20 minutes of direct sunlight is supposed to help with depression. And when I personally feel down, vitamin B supplements always do the trick for me.

Then I would go through the list of foods in my last post and see which ones don't make me feel like vomiting.

Good luck!

[AsianMale]

There are probably hundreds of hours of accumulated research being shared on this thread. Thanks to all for being so willing to share.

Food seems to be quite a controversial topic among heppers. I've done quite a bit of research myself and just pick out bits that make sense to me. So much contradictory data out there that you have to use your own common sense.

Here's one diet that seems to make sense to me:

The Diet For Liver Disease
"Diet to Harmonize The Liver"

Steamed Vegetables:

Cabbage
Broccoli
Brussel Sprouts
Bok Choy
Kale
Turnip
Dandelion Greens

Afternoon Snacks (permitted as long as there are no severe digestive symptoms ):


Cucumber
Watercress
Alfalfa Sprouts
Pistacio nuts and other nuts that are not rancid
Spirulina (3-6 caps w/ water between breakfast and lunch)

Sweeteners and Sweet Foods (always in moderation):

Stevia
Honey
Organic Maple Syrup
Licorice root
Beets
Strawberry
Peach
Dates
Raisins

Grains:

Quinoa
Rye
Millet
Rice
Buckwheat

Beans:

Black Beans
Pinto Beans
Azuki (aka Aduki) Beans
Mung Beans
Lentils


Herbs and Supplements:

Milk Thistle, Dandelion, Red Clover, Vitamin C, Spirulina

Things to Consider:

Do not eat before bed, but rather give yourself 2-3 hours prior to falling asleep
Get plenty of sleep.

Avoid

Saturated Fats such as: lard, cream, cheese, eggs (w/ cooked yolks) etc.
Hydrogenated fats such as: shortening, margarine, refined and rancid oils
Excesses of nuts and seeds
Chemicals in food and water
Pre-packaged foods with preservatives
Intoxicants such as alcohol, drugs,
Paint and chemical fumes,
Highly processed, refined foods
Coffee
Chocolate
Sugar
Fried Foods

In Summary:

Begin by including a warm breakfast with some of the above grains and steamed foods.  Eat your normal diet throughout the rest of the day. This will begin a new rhythm which will set the stage for a more gentle transition.  We always recommend to not avoid the foods you love for the whole day at first. Make the change fun, and not restricting. Set reasonable goals and always think first about adding foods in, instead of taking food out. Then, hopefully over time, the bad habits will slowly fall away.

Try to refrain from eating after 6:00 pm. This will give your digestive system time to assimilate before bed and allow your body to properly detoxify during the night. Add Milk Thistle Extract in the evening to help protect and rejuvenate the liver.


For the most part, I'm on this diet now. The most difficult part for me is probably not eating after 6:00pm. However, I do find that helps me to go to bed earlier as well.

[cajim]

According to Court Doctor Liu, what makes us sick is not high-powered obvious poison because it kills us right away.  What makes the difference between a life plagued with chronic this chronic that--a life filled with misery the older we get because we don't get to face the consequences of our stupid acts until later--and a life without illness is exactly the low grade, vague, compensated (at lest for the short term) poison that goes into us over time, maybe a long time in our foods, our spices, etc.

[stevenNYer]

My common sense wisdom ;)  A little spice makes food taste better...so it make me happy, when I happy, I do things like excercise, which in turn help booster my immune system to fight HepB.

I think it really depends on how you use certain food (and spices).  I mean even water could kill you if you force drink 3 gallons in one short sitting.

[zellyf]

Its amazing that mankind has made it this far given its profligate use of spices since ancient times.  And yet we are living longer than ever.  

[cajim]

Is "Most of the spices are good for health." another one of the common sense widsoms?

Green onion, ginger, garlic, fennel, pepper, chili are known to exercibate conditions of common colds, diarrhea, hepatitis, psychosis, diabetes, cancer, nephritis, rheumatism, wintercough and high blood pressure.  How are they good for health?

[stevenNYer]

"Most of the spices are good for health."

Agreed...original comment is on excessive use.  Over doing it on anything is not good.

2 cents are always welcome....keep giving and soon I will have a dollar...haha.

[howard_roark]

Most of the spices are good for health.

Turmeric, black pepper, coriander powder, green chilli,  cumin poder, and all other indian spices are very good for health.

Drink hot milk with i tsp turmeric powder.

Also, green tea is very good. Phyllanthus tea is even better.

Be careful of herbal medicines, since its unregulated. If taken properly, phyllanthus amarus/niruri is great herb for liver. If you take phyllanthus, make sure that it GMP approved.

My two cents.

[cajim]

Eat things with as little toxins as possible.

There is a whole system described in Dr. Liu's books (in Chinese).

[Mugay]

Please anybody could tell me what i should eat now. Because of Hep B i feel like vomiting after eating. No food can make me feel to eat. Hungry but don't feel like eating. So tired now. Now i am on medication. Doctor told me that it can change to cancer...what i should do? I feel so depressed. Please, anybody could encourge and give me advice? I really need all of your encourage and what specific food i should eat.
I am becoming so thin. I want to gain weight...i really feel sad now. Take care all ... God bless you!

[cajim]

I guess you are right, but you must agree that alcohol does not nourish the liver.  The best is still staying away from it.  Hope you agree.

[stevenNYer]

Yes, if I make that one beer last the whole afternoon and into the evening.  As oppose to downing it in 5 mins.  

[cajim]

Are you implying slow drinking detoxifies more than fast drink?

[stevenNYer]

Question:  "STEVENNYR:  Spicy food is bad? Damn, that's going to be tough to kick also. How does it effect your liver? Also, how does an undercooked steak effect your liver?  Are these recommendations for a person who already exhibits liver damage or for one that is a carrier but with no damage?"

Everything you eat gets processed by your liver.  A little spice is okay but I don't want to over do it.  Here's an easy example, which do you think it's easier for your liver, cola or water?  As for undercooked steak, usually bacteria and other stuff dies when it 100 degrees.  Undercook meat don't reach that critical temperature.  I think these suggestions are good for all.

As for alcohol, I agreed with Zelly that moderation should be okay, but you really have to understand your condition to make good decisions on alcohol.  I think that if slow drink one beer at a bbq, it should be okay.  I don't think it will really hurt my liver in its current state.  But I just want to be extra safe drink something else.  It makes it easier since I was never a heavy drinker.