More than four million people in the U.S. have hepatitis C, a viral infection that causes liver inflammation. Between 55 and 85 percent of the people who contract hepatitis C, transmitted through infected blood, develop a chronic infection. Around 75 percent of those with chronic infection develop chronic liver disease, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases reports. Treatment for hepatitis C with antiviral medications has limited success, with only 15 to 25 percent of those treated clearing the virus. Many people turn to vitamins to reduce symptoms or cure the disease, but results are mixed. Don't take supplements without discussing their use with your doctor first.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C, an antioxidant that plays a part in a number of important bodily functions, is obtained only from food and supplements. Many fruits and vegetables contain it. However, vitamin C has been used to prevent and treat viral infections, including hepatitis C with inconclusive results. The University of Michigan Health Center reports results from a 1999 study that showed improvement in people with cirrhosis caused by hepatitis C when taking a mixture of vitamins and supplements including vitamin C. The UMHS also reports that use of 2 grams per day of vitamin C helped prevent transmission of hepatitis during blood transfusions in one study, but this study is from 1978 and doesn't specify the type of hepatitis.
Although widely believed to protect against viral infections, according to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, vitamin C has failed to conclusively prevent or improve viral infections in clinical trials. People with hepatitis C often have high iron levels, which can further damage the liver. Since vitamin C assists in iron absorption, people with hepatitis C should not take large doses, eMedTV warns.
Vitamin D
A 2009 Israeli study of 90 patients with hepatitis C, as reported by researchers at the of the Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, found that adding 1,000 milligrams of vitamin D to the drug regimen when undergoing antiviral therapy increased the success rates, HIVandHepatitis.com reports. The group taking vitamin D achieved an 85 percent sustained viral response compared to 48 percent of the control group. While these results show promise, more studies are needed to establish the benefit of vitamin D. Don't take vitamin D supplements without first discussing with your doctor.
Vitamin E
People with hepatitis C often have low levels of vitamin E, a fat-soluble vitamin. Administering 544 International Units of vitamin E during 24 weeks of antiviral treatment improved response to the antiviral drugs, although the amount of improvement wasn't clinically significant, UMHC reports. Taking high doses of vitamin E daily can have serious adverse effects, including increased bleeding, MayoClinic.com warns. Talk with your doctor before taking vitamin E supplements.
References
- University of Michigan Health System: Hepatitis
- MayoClinic.com: Vitamin E
- HIV and Hepatitis.com:Vitamin D Increases Sustained Response to Interferon-based Therapy for Hepatitis C, May Improve Liver Fibrosis
- National Institute of Allergy and Infetious Diseases: Hepatitis C
- eMedTV: Hepatitis C and Vitamins
- European Association for the Study of the Liver: Vitamin D Improve SVR in Chronic Hepatitis C; S. Abu Mauch et al; 2010
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