Hepatitis C is a disease involving liver inflammation, liver swelling and irreversible liver damage. Numerous factors can cause hepatitis C, including infectious diseases, chemical toxins, drug use and alcohol abuse, according to the C. Everett Koop Institute at Dartmouth. Hepatitis C is a viral disease that can be passed from one person to another. Certain supplements may help restore the health and function of your liver and treat your hepatitis. Meet with your doctor to see if supplements are right for you.
Hepatitis C Info
The hepatitis C virus infects about 36,000 Americans every year, notes the Illinois Department of Public Health. In most cases, hepatitis C causes only mild symptoms, although it is more likely than hepatitis B to cause chronic liver disease. Although symptoms are rare, some of the most frequently experienced symptoms associated with hepatitis C include mild fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, reduced appetite, diarrhea, dark urine and abdominal pain. Your symptoms may range from mild to severe.
Important Liver Supplements
There are many important liver supplements that may be helpful in combating your hepatitis C. Commonly used liver tonics include celandine, dandelion, milk thistle, artichoke, fennel, bupleurum, Oregon grape and marshmallow, according to naturopathic physician Sharol Tilgner, author of "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth." Other dietary supplements perhaps helpful in treating your hepatitis and restoring your liver health include glutathione, L-arginine and SAMe. Some of these supplements may require more scientific scrutiny to evaluate their true effectiveness for this health purpose.
A Powerful Supplement
Milk thistle is a powerful supplement that may be helpful in cleansing your liver and treating your hepatitis C. Milk thistle is considered a hepatoprotective, a substance that protects the health and function of your hepatocytes or liver cells, according to naturopathic physician William A. Mitchell Jr., author of "Plant Medicine in Practice." Mitchell notes that milk thistle helps your liver regenerate and replenish new cells. Extracts from the seeds of the milk thistle plant are used in dietary supplements.
Disclaimer
If you are diagnosed with hepatitis C, visit your doctor to discuss the safest and most effective treatment strategies to help manage the health problem. Avoid self-treating your condition using dietary supplements. A qualified healthcare professional --- such as a naturopathic physician or medical doctor trained in clinical nutrition --- can offer you helpful advice about proper dosage, treatment duration and what side effects and drug interactions may occur when taking dietary supplements.
References
- Epidemic: Hepatitis C
- Illinois Department of Public Health: Hepatitis C
- "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth"; Sharol Tilgner, N.D.; 1999
- "Plant Medicine in Practice"; William A. Mitchell Jr., N.D.; 2003
