What diet should you follow for chronic hepatitis? What is diet number 5a? Find out from our article.
Chronic hepatitis is a diffuse liver injury, the main characteristics of which are inflammation, damage to liver cells (hepatocytes) and disruption of its functions. Chronic hepatitis is considered when the pathology does not resolve within six months.1 The course of the disease can be stable or progressive with the gradual development of fibrosis, in which connective tissue cords form in place of the liver tissue, and cirrhosis, when liver function is critically impaired.
The most common causes of chronic hepatitis include hepatitis B and C viruses, toxic effects of alcohol, autoimmune processes and metabolic disorders.2 The disease is usually asymptomatic, so it is often diagnosed late.1
General rules of nutrition for chronic hepatitis
Back in the middle of the last century, the Pevzner system of 15 diets for each disease, including those related to the liver, was developed in the Soviet Union. The system was used in all hospitals and sanatoriums in the country. Over the years, these diets have been improved, but they have not been eliminated from their shortcomings, the most important of which is uniformity. The entire system is designed for a person aged 20–30 years weighing 70 kg.3 In addition, some of these diets have almost the same chemical composition and energy value and differ slightly from each other in the methods of cooking and salt content. Therefore, it is important to understand that your doctor can prescribe your individual diet after all the necessary examinations and diagnosis.
Do you need special nutrition if nothing hurts? According to Russian authors, even in satisfactory condition, patients with chronic hepatitis are prescribed a gentle diet, specially designed for people with liver diseases. During exacerbations (the active process of inflammation), nutrition becomes more strict.4 The diet is aimed at eliminating functional disorders of the liver and biliary system, the digestive process and the synchronicity of the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.4 First, let's get acquainted with the basic principles of nutrition for chronic hepatitis.
- It is important to eat at strictly defined hours and not to overeat, especially before bed. This preserves the normal functioning of the endocrine glands involved in digestion.
- You should not eat foods that strongly irritate the mucous membranes of the stomach, duodenum and upper small intestine, as these organs can also be involved in the pathological process. Products that should be limited include: - seasonings and spices, - smoked and spicy foods, - vegetables rich in essential oils (onions, radishes, garlic).
- Ice cream, cold juices, and mineral waters are also not recommended, as they can cause spasm of the pylorus, sphincter of Oddi and bile ducts.
- Drinking alcohol is prohibited.
During the recovery period or between exacerbations, patients are usually prescribed a basic version of the standard diet. It is balanced in protein (85–90 g), fat (80–90 g) and carbohydrates (300–330 g). The energy value of the diet is 2200–2500 kcal.
Allowed products for hepatitis
- Vegetarian, dairy, fruit soups;
- low-fat varieties of meat and fish, boiled, baked, as well as fried once or twice a week, but without breading;
- one or two eggs two to three times a week or omelettes, if tolerated poorly - egg white omelettes;
- fruits and vegetables. There should be a sufficient amount of them in the diet. Vegetables can be eaten in the form of salads and side dishes; some vegetables are consumed raw. Fruits can be consumed in their natural form, as well as in the form of compotes, jelly, mousse, jellies, puddings, etc.;
- not cold milk, if intolerant - boiled or diluted with water;
- definitely kefir;
- butter and vegetable oil;
- snacks - not spicy, not smoked and not too salty, with caution;
- mild cheese;
- sauces and seasonings not based on meat and fish broths, not spicy;
- black and white bread, yesterday's baking, dried;
- cookies and other products made from soft dough;
- weak tea, with milk, vegetable and fruit juices, rosehip decoction;
- sugar, jam and honey in the amount required by the carbohydrate composition of the diet.
Cleaning of blood vessels. Lemon and garlic. Recipe for treating gout
Just the other day I met an acquaintance who, for seven years now, has had exactly the same problems as me - he suffers from gout. Let me remind you that I have been closely acquainted with this disease for more than 10 years, and my first exacerbation lasted longer than a month, imprinted for the rest of my life with memories of severe pain in both legs. It was so impactful that I quit smoking, reconsidered my attitude to my lifestyle (especially physical activity), and for the next few years I have been following a diet, allowing myself “forbidden” foods “only on holidays.” My friend has a cooler attitude towards the topic of preventing exacerbations and, as a result, often pays with another inflammation, swollen joints and a liver suffering from painkillers. I met him just at the moment of exacerbation in the store, where he was stocking up on lemons and garlic. I immediately remembered this “hellish mixture” of lemon and garlic, which is recommended for relieving gout attacks. This is true, I have experienced the effect of this folk remedy and I can say that it really helps, but only if you eat “several kilograms of it over a couple of days” and the level of uric acid in your blood is currently not so overpriced. So, unfortunately, one has to doubt the miraculousness and universality of this remedy.
My comrade, on the contrary, firmly believes in the miraculousness of the nuclear mixture and defends its position as a panacea for gout and at least a hundred other diseases. Plus, he claims that a mixture of lemon and garlic perfectly cleanses blood vessels and helps with high blood pressure and treats hypertension. In response to my reasonable question: “What is your evidence?”, my friend cites his mother as an example, who “cleanses her blood vessels with lemon and garlic every month.” “And how did the pressure return to normal?” - I ask. “The pressure is a little high, but she feels much better after cleaning,” my friend tells me.
Well, why would she feel worse if she doesn’t have allergies and doesn’t take this mixture on an empty stomach, as many online healers advise. By the way, remember once and for all: if you want to try this recipe on yourself, never take it in the morning on an empty stomach!
Everything will end very sadly and soon you will have to treat a stomach ulcer, unless it turns out that you already had a (hidden) ulcer, and thanks to these recommendations you suddenly developed gastric bleeding.
Let me remind you of the classic recipe for a miraculous elixir:
Using a meat grinder or blender, grind the lemons with zest and peeled heads of garlic - 4 pieces each. Transfer the semi-liquid mass into a three-liter glass jar and fill to the top with warm boiled water. However, it cannot be too hot.
The mixture should be kept at room temperature for three days. The lemon-garlic mixture must be stirred periodically. The mixture should be strained, after which it can be refrigerated.
It is recommended to consume this mixture in the morning on an empty stomach before breakfast and two more times a day before meals.
Once again I draw your attention to the recommendation - do not even think about following such thoughtless advice!
Now about the main thing: is there really any benefit from this remedy? The answer is absolutely! Unless, of course, you are burdened with allergies and do not have the slightest hint of stomach problems!
Any vitamins are always beneficial to the body, only, of course, if they do not exceed the recommended dosages.
Question two: will there be noticeable results from treatment with lemon and garlic?
The main active substance in this case is citric acid (potassium citrate), it has the properties to some extent reduce the level of uric acid in gout. Add here the antibacterial properties of garlic and the total amount of vitamins and we can draw conclusions: yes, to some extent, with daily use, this mixture can have a positive effect on uric acid levels
, but as a potent remedy it is simply useless.
To put it simply, you can use a mixture of lemon and garlic to prevent gout flare-ups
on a daily basis, only during or immediately after meals. And it’s hard to imagine what will happen to your stomach after a while.
Maybe once upon a time, when it was not possible to isolate active substances from products, this mixture was the only way to somehow control the disease. But nowadays, excuse me, this recipe is simply unreasonably expensive and does not have the same effect as the use of nutritional supplements.
If you are looking for a reliable and effective remedy for the prevention of gout, read here: Treatment and prevention of gout with natural ingredients, you will find a really effective recipe for yourself.
As a means for cleaning blood vessels... This is a separate conversation altogether... It was on the topic of “cleaning blood vessels” that our discussion with my friend unfolded.
I will not tell and retell the entire conversation and re-state the pros and cons. After this meeting, I asked our editor under the nickname Aptekar to write a short article on this topic. Read it, everything is laid out quite simply and clearly:
Cleaning blood vessels - myth or reality?
And once again I want to warn you! Do not blindly follow all recommendations and recipes, especially from the Internet. If in doubt, consult a doctor, you will live better. I’m talking about “on an empty stomach”...
Yesterday, while reading “another masterpiece,” I came across the statement that statins are vasodilators. It's mind boggling! But someone will believe it, go and buy it. And she will take it for dizziness in the hope of a quick improvement.
But that is another story…
Prohibited foods for hepatitis
- Rich broths;
- fatty meats: goose, duck, lamb, fatty pork;
- milk for intolerance;
- spicy, smoked, salted snacks;
- hot, meat, fish sauces;
- fresh bread;
- some types of fruits and vegetables: legumes, spinach, sorrel, sour varieties of fruit;
- baked goods, pastries, cakes;
- strong tea, coffee, cocoa, alcohol;
- chocolate
Diet for different types of hepatitis
Active hepatitis
If chronic hepatitis is diagnosed in an active form (roughly speaking, characterized by the presence of symptoms and increased transaminases), then more severe dietary restrictions and an integrated approach to therapy may be recommended. Therapeutic nutrition remains one of the important factors in maintaining the state of liver function, along with pharmacotherapy. It is especially important to follow a meal plan and eat small portions. Since in chronic active hepatitis the biliary tract may also be involved in the pathological process, foods rich in dietary fiber should be added to the diet, which promote the excretion of bile acids.4 These are vegetables, fruits, whole grains (porridge), and bran. For the same purpose, it is recommended to change the ratio between vegetable and animal fats to 50/50% (usually it is recommended to adhere to the ratio of 30/50%). When the process worsens, a diet with mechanical and chemical sparing (warm pureed food) is prescribed.
Inactive hepatitis
For inactive (persistent) hepatitis without clear clinical manifestations and symptoms and laboratory abnormalities, a more varied diet may be recommended.5 There is no need for pureed food; food can be steamed, boiled or baked, including in a microwave oven. The individual product restrictions listed above apply. The temperature of hot dishes should not exceed 65 degrees, the temperature of cold ones should not be lower than 15 degrees. With both active and inactive hepatitis, alcohol is strictly excluded - there is no “safe” dose of alcohol for patients with this disease.6
Can you use lemon for gout?
After consuming lemon or its juice as food, an optimal acid-base balance is formed in the body, so the benefits of lemon for gout are quite obvious.
Lemon for gout is not only possible, but also necessary. This citrus is included in the list of recommended products due to its positive effect on the entire body as a whole.
Lemon contains the following components:
- vitamin A;
- B vitamins;
- a large amount of vitamin C;
- natural antioxidant – vitamin E;
- a large number of micro- and macroelements;
- alimentary fiber;
- essential oil;
- organic acids;
- sugar;
- flavonoids;
- phytoncides;
- glycosides;
- pectins.
The properties of lemon manifest themselves in relation to the functioning of the entire body as a whole. This citrus improves immunity and is the best preventative during cold season. Lemon zest contains essential oils that have a positive effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular system. The fruit contains a number of microelements necessary for the normal functioning of the nervous system. Eating lemons helps strengthen the nervous system, helps cope with insomnia, and relieves stress.
The organic acids in this product have a pronounced antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect, making lemons recommended for inflammatory diseases, including arthritis.
Dietary fiber improves intestinal motility. Glycosides have a positive effect on the secretory function of the body. Also, consuming lemons stimulates the production of enzymes that improve the digestion process.
Beneficial properties of lemon for gout:
- citric acid breaks down into alkaline compounds, which help neutralize uric acid;
- lemon juice improves the process of removing uric acid and prevents the deposition of its salts in the joints;
- reduces inflammation, relieves swelling and relieves pain;
- has a tonic effect;
- improves the flow of bile, which has a beneficial effect on the body’s purine metabolism;
- improves metabolism, promotes weight loss;
- is a powerful antioxidant, stimulates the removal of toxins from the body;
- improves kidney function, has a mild diuretic effect.
Thus, the answer to the question of whether you can eat lemon for gout will be definitely positive. Eating this citrus will not only improve the well-being of a gout patient, but also prevent further progression of the disease. Lemons are also recommended for people with a genetic predisposition to gout and other metabolic disorders.
Doctors' opinion
Lemon for gout, the benefits and harms of which are determined by its composition, must be used correctly. Constant consumption of lemons in large quantities will not help cope with the disease, but will only cause destruction of tooth enamel and digestive problems.
When it comes to treating gout with this product, the right approach is necessary. Lemon will not be able to completely get rid of the disease in a matter of days, but it will help reduce the rate of accumulation of uric acid in the body and improve the processes of its neutralization.
Doctors unanimously recommend consuming lemons for gout patients. Moreover, the juice, pulp, and zest provide health benefits. They can be used in almost any form.
There are no exact recommendations about the permissible daily amount of lemon; a lot depends on the person’s basic diet. Citrus is recommended to be used as an additive to tea, salads, fruit drinks, and compotes. Lemon juice is useful to use with seafood and fish - it will preserve the freshness and taste of the dish and add vitamin value to it.
Weekly menu (example)
Day of the week | Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner | Afternoon snack | Dinner |
Monday | Two egg white omelette, tea with lemon | Apple | Vegetarian pea soup, boiled chicken with pasta, tea | Homemade crackers without fillers | Boiled fish, buckwheat porridge, kefir |
Tuesday | Curd casserole, tea | Low-fat yogurt | Vegetarian borscht, boiled beef with prunes, mashed potatoes, dried fruit compote | Biscuits | Carrot cutlets, egg white omelette, kefir |
Wednesday | Semolina porridge, tea with milk | Sandwich made from toasted bread with mild cheese | Pumpkin puree soup, pollock baked with vegetables, berry jelly | Dry biscuit | Chicken cutlets, boiled rice, kefir |
Thursday | Low-fat cottage cheese with sour cream, tea with lemon | Grated carrot salad with raisins | Vegetarian kulesh soup with rice, chicken roll, rose hip broth | Homemade crackers without fillers | Steamed chicken breast, boiled potatoes, kefir |
Friday | Oatmeal porridge with milk and water 50/50, tea | Cucumber and bell pepper salad with vegetable oil | Fruit soup, meatballs with rice, tea | Biscuits | Fish cutlets, rice, kefir |
Saturday | Vermicelli casserole, milk tea | Banana | Vegetarian bean soup, boiled chicken in milk sauce, boiled potatoes, dried fruit compote | Dry biscuit | Steamed chicken breast, mashed potatoes, kefir |
Sunday | Pilaf with dried fruits, dried fruit compote | Low-fat yogurt | Milk soup with noodles, cabbage rolls, berry jelly | Homemade crackers | Boiled veal with milk sauce, green beans, kefir |
And remember that your doctor can choose a diet that is best suited for you, taking into account your situation and individual needs.
Recipes with lemon
The easiest way to use lemon to treat gout is with regular lemon tea.
Having figured out whether it is possible to use lemon for gout, you should remember that such treatment must be carried out correctly. You should start by choosing lemons. Despite the fact that this citrus is sold year-round, it can be difficult to choose a truly ripe one that will be good for your health.
When buying a lemon, you need to follow the following rules:
- the peel should be smooth and shiny, without dark spots;
- color – bright, juicy;
- The fruit should remain elastic when pressed, the zest should not wrinkle.
There is no need to buy particularly large lemons with thick and rough skins. Such fruits are not ripe, and chemicals were used during cultivation, thanks to which they grew to large sizes.
Lemon water
Traditional medicine suggests treating gouty arthritis with lemon and water. This drink helps alkalize the body during gout, which helps neutralize uric acid. Preparing water is very simple. You need to take 3-4 slices of lemon and pour two glasses of warm water. It should sit overnight. It is recommended to drink a glass of this drink in the morning on an empty stomach. The remaining amount is designed to be taken throughout the day. You can drink a few sips of this water every time you feel thirsty.
For those who find this drink very sour, you can add a teaspoon of honey to a glass of lemon water. It is also very useful for gout. This medicine will help improve metabolism and reduce inflammation in the joints.
Lemon jelly
If you have gout, you can eat lemons in any form; there are no restrictions on the time of use or combination with other foods. You can make a delicious and healthy dessert from lemon - jelly. There are two recipes here: for those who like sour desserts, and for people who prefer sweet desserts.
First you need to prepare the gelatin. Please note that this product is very beneficial for joints affected by gout. Natural gelatin is a chondroprotector and protects cartilage tissue during arthrosis and arthritis. To prepare the jelly, dissolve a packet of gelatin in a glass of warm water and leave for half an hour to allow it to swell.
Separately, you need to prepare the lemons. For a sour version of the dessert you will need lemon juice. It is necessary to squeeze the juice from two fruits, add a tablespoon of honey and a glass of water to it. Then pour the swollen gelatin into the resulting mixture and place in the refrigerator for two hours until the dessert hardens.
For those with a sweet tooth, berry jelly is recommended. To do this, you need to take a few strawberries and ripe rose hips, add lemon juice, water and honey, and then add gelatin. The berries contain sugar, so the dessert will be sweet and sour.
To make lemon jelly, you can use cherry juice or strawberry compote. In this case, the fruit is cut into small cubes, placed at the bottom of a convenient container, filled with compote or juice and gelatin is added. This dessert is not only very tasty, but also healthy, since all the ingredients are included in the list of products recommended for gout.