The Raw Road to Health & Happiness

A slow, silent killer. That describes much about Hepatitis C. Once infected, the virus can stay in your body, inactive for years. At the same time, the disease is slowly destroying your general health, your life and your liver.

Individuals who have been diagnosed with Hepatitis C are often put on a regimen of interferon which is sometimes combined with ribavirin. The use of these drugs has several side effects – headaches, muscle aches, nausea, and flu like symptoms to name a few.

When you are fighting Hepatitis C, you need all the help you can get. One of these is going to a detox diet. A detox diet is intended to reduce the amount of toxins you are putting into your body and, at the same time, increase the toxins that are eliminated. The principles behind any detox diet you chose are basically the same.

Eliminate all alcohol.
Eliminate caffeine. Try tea instead because of its high level of antioxidants.
Increase the amount of water you are drinking.
Reduce the amount of processed food you are eating.
Look for whole grains and high fiber foods.
Whenever possible, use food that has been organically grown.
Minimize the amount of red meat you have in your diet.
Add as many antioxidant rich foods to your diet as you can –especially berries and broccoli.

You can make these changes yourself or you can find diet guidelines and supplements in many health food stores. If you do decide to change your eating habits, let your doctor know. He/she may have some suggestions for you. A detox diet does make a lot of sense when you have Hepatitis C. The Hep C virus damages your liver. Any change in diet that will help take the load off your liver and cleanse it is positive.

In addition to going to a detox diet, talk to your doctor about acupuncture and milk thistle. Acupuncture is an ancient practice used for a variety of ills. Milk thistle is an herbal that many people believe is extremely effective in cleansing the liver. Your doctor may have some insight on the effectiveness of these alternatives.

Fighting Hepatitis C is a fight for your life. Make use of everything you can – medication, diet changes, your doctor’s experience – everything. That’s the best way to win this fight.

If you’ve been to your doctor lately and have been told you need to lose weight and go on a low sodium, low fat diet, you’re probably dreading doing that. Yes, you know that for the sake of your heart and circulatory system you have to lower your blood pressure and reduce your cholesterol.

Visions of dried out fish and chicken with lemon juice, no butter thank you, dance in your head. It’s good for you, but about as exciting as eating shoe leather. What you should know is that a few simple changes and additions to your diet can make all the difference in the world in preventing heart disease, lowering your cholesterol and your blood pressure. This dietary magic can be summed up in one word – antioxidants.

Here’re some ways to make a significant addition of antioxidants to your diet and enjoy it at the same time.

Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, – any kind of berry is a good source of antioxidants. Toss some together in a blender with a banana and some orange juice and you’ve got a drink than your cardiologist would love.

Dark green veggies like broccoli and spinach are in this antioxidant group. Lightly stir fry some spinach in a little olive oil and serve it with your fish. Not spicy enough? Throw in some of everyone’s favorite antioxidant – garlic.

Of course you can take garlic and roast it until it’s soft, chop some tomatoes and use it as a spread on some whole grain French bread. Another antioxidant winner.

There are several foods rich in antioxidants. We’ve just touched on a few – berries, broccoli, spinach, garlic, tomatoes and whole grain bread. We haven’t touched on a favorite antioxidant rich treat. Red wine and dark chocolate.

It’s amazing how something that tastes that good can be so good for you.