Hepatitis C is an extremely serious disease of the liver, and according to estimates, some four million Americans have it. A viral infection is the cause. In addition, it damages the liver and it amplifies the risk of liver failure and cancer.

The usual hepatitis c treatments include a powerful antiviral drug called interferon as well as other medications. The side effects of the treatment include fever, muscle aches, and other flulike symptoms, and it lasts a year. Only sixty percent of the people who take it experience these side effects.

Unfortunately, the hepatitis c treatment does not always work. Although the treatment gets rid of the virus for a while, it is un-known if it prevents liver failure.

According to many alternative doctors, there is a better way to treat the disease. Many herbalists think that interferon do more harm than good, by toxifying the liver, therefore delaying the healing process.

Hepatitis C Herbs

The herb milk thistle contains a group of chemicals called silymarin, which stimulate the synthesis of protein in liver cells and in fact help the liver regenerate. An additional thing you can do is to take a supplement with a silymarin extract blended with other liver-protecting herbs such as turmeric, artichoke leaf, gentian, and ginger.

Lemon balm is another herb that is good for the liver. You can take it by making a tea, and drinking two to three cups a day.

Other herbs that are good for the liver are St. John’s wort, shiitake, schisandra, and garlic.

There are many people with hepatitis C that are having great success by using natural methods, herbal remedies, nutritional supplements, and a body strengthening diet. These people have remained symptom free and healthy for years.

Herbalists and some doctors find that a healthful diet is essential for people with hepatitis C because it is the liver’s job to filter and detoxify all of the potentially harmful substances in your body. Your goal should be to avoid as much as possible foods such as the following, which are hard for the body to detoxify.

Hepatitis C Diet

- Stay away from animal products such as red meats, which are loaded with antibiotics, growth hormones, and steroids. Meat is hard on the digestive process, the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. It is one of the hardest foods to digest.

- Dairy foods also put stress on the liver.

- Alcohol is a liver killer, as we all know.

- Caffeine puts added stress on the liver. Stay away from it not only in coffee, but also in tea, and colas, and in many over-the-counter medications.

- Tap water contains chemicals that the liver cannot process such as chlorine, fluoride, and inorganic chemicals. If you can, drink distilled water only.

- Junk food is not only a poor source of nutrition, but it is also full of things that puts stress on the liver such as sugars, fats, hydrogenated oils, chemical additives, and preservatives.

- Fruit juices are high in concentrated sugar, which is a shock to the liver. It also stresses the digestive system and the pancreas, and many believe that it feeds the hepatitis C virus.

- Artificial sweeteners are extremely hard on the liver. The liver does not even recognize what some of these artificial sweeteners are, it would be better to use an herbal sweetener instead.

Now, as for foods that you should eat, try to eat proteins that are more liver friendly such as fish, organic chicken, and turkey, and soy products. In addition, do not forget about beans such as, lentils, chickpeas, adzuki, navy, pinto, and mung, which are all great for the liver.

Eating lightly steamed green vegetables, along with squash is beneficial. However, summer squash and zucchini are especially fine. These foods are the easiest on the digestive system.

Fruits, as we all know, are good; however, do not eat more than three servings a day. Too much sugar in any form puts added stress on the liver. Last but definitely not least, eat plenty of whole grains, which are high in B vitamins.