One of the liver's primary functions is the synthesis and secretion of plasma albumin. A healthy person synthesizes approximately 10-16g of plasma albumin daily, which is secreted into the bloodstream to perform vital functions. In liver diseases, such as viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, and poisoning from alcohol or drugs, the process of protein synthesis and secretion by liver cells is impaired. This leads to a decrease in plasma albumin levels, which in turn affects the repair and function of various tissues and organs in the body. 2. Moderate Carbohydrates (Sugars)
The main function of carbohydrates is to provide energy for life activities. It is well-known that 1g of sugar, when completely decomposed and oxidized in the body, produces 4.1 kilocalories of energy. 50-70% of the body's required energy is supplied by the oxidative decomposition of sugars. For patients with acute hepatitis who exhibit significant gastrointestinal symptoms and eat very little, some high-sugar foods can be provided. In severe cases, a 10% glucose solution can be administered intravenously to ensure the patient's daily energy needs. At the same time, the liver can convert glucose absorbed from the digestive tract into glycogen. Abundant liver glycogen can promote the repair and regeneration of liver cells and enhance resistance to infection and toxins. However, excessive intake of carbohydrates should be avoided. After meeting the needs for glycogen synthesis and other requirements, excess carbohydrates are synthesized into fat and stored in the liver. If the storage amount is too high, it can lead to fatty liver. Additionally, excessive carbohydrate intake may overload the pancreatic beta cells, causing dysfunction and resulting in diet-induced diabetes. The main sources of carbohydrates are grains, tubers, and legumes. [美食中国] 3. Moderate Fat
The liver is a vital organ for the digestion, absorption, breakdown, synthesis, and transport of lipids. When liver function is impaired, the synthesis and secretion of bile decrease, leading to poor fat digestion and symptoms such as aversion to greasy food. Excessive fat intake can also cause steatorrhea (fatty stools). Therefore, fat intake should be restricted, especially during the acute phase of hepatitis. However, too little fat intake can affect appetite and the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, K, E, and beta-carotene, so a moderate amount is necessary. A daily intake of 40-50g, accounting for 25-30% of total calories, is recommended. Intake of animal fat should be minimized, and plant-based fats should be the primary source, such as sesame oil, rapeseed oil, peanut oil, soybean oil, and sunflower oil. These contain more unsaturated fatty acids, such as linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and arachidonic acid. These unsaturated fatty acids cannot be synthesized in the body and must be supplied by food, hence they are called essential fatty acids. A deficiency in essential fatty acids reduces the synthesis of high-density lipoprotein, impedes the transport of fat out of the liver, and can easily lead to fatty liver. [美食中国] 4. Adequate Vitamins
Vitamins are low-molecular-weight compounds essential for maintaining normal life processes. They are not materials that constitute tissues nor do they supply energy, but they are an indispensable class of substances with a very important role in metabolism. For example, Vitamin B1 can inhibit cholinesterase, reduce the hydrolysis of acetylcholine, increase gastrointestinal motility and glandular secretion, and help improve appetite and digestive function. Vitamin C can promote glycogen synthesis, enhance the body's immunity, and has detoxifying and anti-cancer effects. Therefore, patients with viral hepatitis should routinely take Vitamins B1 and C. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that prevents the peroxidation of unsaturated fatty acids and protects the liver cell membrane and the intracellular micro-organelle membrane system. Vitamin K is a substance essential for the liver to synthesize clotting factors (II, VII, IX, X). Most vitamins cannot be synthesized in the body and must be provided by food. During viral hepatitis, the increased demand for vitamins is mainly due to two reasons: (1) Patients suffer from indigestion and a sharp decrease in appetite, leading to insufficient vitamin intake; (2) Infection and fever increase the consumption of vitamins, while the demand also increases. Therefore, patients with viral hepatitis, especially when the disease is active, must be provided with abundant vitamins from external sources, including from food.
Vitamin C is widely found in fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables, with rich content in tomatoes, oranges, and fresh jujubes. Vitamin B1 is mainly found in foods such as rice bran, wheat bran, soybeans, yeast, and lean meat. Vitamin E is abundant in vegetable oils such as wheat germ oil, cottonseed oil, and soybean oil, and is also present in walnuts, pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, wood ear mushrooms, and egg yolks. Vitamin K1 is relatively abundant in green plants such as alfalfa and spinach, as well as in animal livers. Vitamin K2 is a product of bacterial metabolism and can be synthesized by bacteria in the human intestine. 1. Avoid Excessive Drinking
The main component of alcohol is ethanol, which can be converted into aldehydes in the liver. Both ethanol and aldehydes have a direct damaging effect on the liver, causing degeneration and necrosis of liver cells. Hepatitis B patients already have damaged liver cells, and drinking is like adding insult to injury, exacerbating the condition and promoting its progression towards cirrhosis or even liver cancer. 2. Avoid Overeating, Especially Excessive Consumption of Meat and Sugars
Excessive consumption of meat and sugars will convert excess protein and sugar into fat for storage, with the liver being a major storage site. Over time, this leads to obesity and inevitably results in fatty liver,加重 the burden on the diseased liver and promoting the worsening of hepatitis B. Hepatitis B patients should arrange for a diverse and balanced diet, especially to self-control their weight, and consume less animal fat, fried foods, cured meats, and whole milk. 3. Avoid Excessive Physical and Mental Labor
Overexertion consumes a large amount of nutrients and oxygen, leading to a significant reduction in the liver's energy supply, weakening its resistance to disease, and allowing the hepatitis B virus to spread rapidly. When the condition of a hepatitis B patient is stable, a regular lifestyle with appropriate exercise is recommended, with activity levels not causing fatigue, nausea, or back pain. During periods of fluctuation in the condition, bed rest is best for recovery. 4. Avoid Anger and Depression
Anger causes rapid breathing, a sharp increase in the number of red blood cells in the blood, faster blood clotting than normal, and a rapid heart rate. This not only harms the cardiovascular system but also affects liver health. According to some statistics, the likelihood of coronary heart disease in irritable people is 6 times higher than in the general population, and the likelihood of liver disease is 8 times higher. Therefore, hepatitis B patients must maintain an open mind and an optimistic mood. 5. Avoid Excessive Sexual Indulgence. Excessive sexual indulgence causes the cerebral cortex to remain in a state of long-term excitement, which not only speeds up blood circulation and breathing and causes muscle tension, but also consumes vital energy, damaging the liver and kidneys and producing symptoms such as fatigue, soreness in the waist and legs, loss of appetite, dizziness, tinnitus, insomnia, and forgetfulness. For hepatitis B patients, who already have poor underlying liver function, sexual indulgence is undoubtedly a killer. Therefore, when the chronic hepatitis virus is unstable, sexual intercourse must be prohibited. Patients in a virus-carrying state or during a stable period of the disease should also actively control the frequency of sexual activity. [美食中国]
The utilization rate of compound B vitamins is higher than that of taking them individually, and they can be found at general pharmacies. The price difference does not necessarily correspond to a significant difference in effectiveness.