Health
Nutrition, Critical Lifeline In Hepatitis Recovery
By Catherine Egwuom, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
Nutrition plays a vital role in the body, enabling it to obtain and utilise nutrients from food for energy production, growth, tissue repair and the maintenance of normal body functions.
Experts say good nutrition strengthens the immune system, helping the body fight infections, recover from illness and reduce.
During illness, the body’s nutritional needs increase as it requires more energy and nutrients to repair damaged tissues and restore normal body functions.
For many people diagnosed with hepatitis, treatment often centres on medication.
However, health experts say recovery goes beyond drugs, with nutrition playing a crucial role in helping the liver heal and regain its normal function.
The liver is one of the body’s hardest-working organs, responsible for filtering toxins, processing nutrients and supporting metabolism.
When damaged by hepatitis, its ability to perform these functions becomes impaired.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by infectious viruses (Types A, B, C, D and E).
It can lead to scarring, liver failure, or cancer.
There are Hepatitis A (HAV), Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV), Hepatitis D (HDV) and Hepatitis E (HEV).
Hepatitis A is spread through contaminated food or water; causes short-term illness and Hepatitis B is spread through infected body fluids (blood, sex, birth); can become a long-term chronic disease.
Hepatitis C is spread through contact with infected blood; often becomes chronic and damages the liver, Hepatitis D occurs only in people who already have hepatitis B, while Hepatitis E is spread via contaminated water; typically causes short-term illness.
Explaining further, Mrs Ifeoma Onuoha, Chief Executive Officer, MIC Foods and Wellness Ltd., said understanding hepatitis was the first step toward appreciating the importance of nutrition in recovery.
Onuoha explained that hepatitis was simply an inflammation of the liver caused mainly by viral infections, excessive alcohol consumption or immune system disorders.
She said hepatitis existed in different forms, including hepatitis A, B, C and non-infectious hepatitis, with each affecting the liver differently.
According to her, hepatitis A is commonly spread through contaminated food or water and is usually short-term, while hepatitis B and C spread through infected blood and body fluids and often become chronic.
She added that non-infectious hepatitis is linked to unhealthy lifestyles, including heavy alcohol intake, toxic drugs and immune disorders
“Although medical treatment remains essential, nutrition significantly influences how quickly the liver repairs itself and how effectively the body responds to infection.
“Proper nutrition supports liver cell regeneration, reduces inflammation and strengthens the immune system needed to fight viral infections.
“Balanced diets also prevent malnutrition and provide the energy required for the liver to withstand stress during recovery”, Onuoha explained.
She identified lean proteins, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals as the major nutrients needed for liver repair.
Onuoha recommended lean protein sources such as chicken, fish, and beans, saying they help rebuild damaged liver tissues.
The wellness therapist advised consumption of whole grains, unripe plantain and Ofada rice for fibre and sustained energy.
According to her, healthy fats from extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil and fish oils rich in omega-3 fatty acids also support recovery.
She added that vitamin C-rich fruits, including oranges, tangerines and grapes, as well as green tea, contributed to faster healing.
Onuoha warned that alcohol must be completely avoided because it causes direct liver damage and worsens hepatitis.
She, however, advised patients to avoid fried foods, high-fat meals and ultra-processed foods containing preservatives, colourings and excess sugar that place additional strain on the liver.
According to her, poor nutrition weakens immunity, delays tissue repair and increases inflammation, slowing recovery from hepatitis.
She noted that Nigeria has abundant affordable foods that naturally support liver health.
She listed leafy vegetables such as `ugu’, waterleaf, bitter leaf, scent leaf- `nchuanwu’, `shoko, ewedu and utazi, alongside beans, Titus fish, sardines, garlic, ginger, unripe plantain and ofada rice.
According to Onuoha, these foods supply antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that aid the liver’s natural repair process.
She also challenged common misconceptions surrounding hepatitis diets.
Onuoha said many people wrongly believe hepatitis patients should eat only plain boiled foods, avoid protein, and stay away from colourful fruits or fast regularly.
She stressed that there was no nutritional basis for such beliefs, explaining that lean proteins and colourful fruits provide nutrients essential for liver repair, while unnecessary fasting deprives the body of the nourishment needed for healing.
For hepatitis patients, recovery is not determined by medication alone.
As Onuoha emphasised, good nutrition provides the foundation for stronger immunity, healthier liver function and a faster return to wellness. (NAN)www.nannews.ng
