How can you protect your liver?

There are many things that you can do to help your liver stay healthy.

These include:

• Getting hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines. Having another viral infection in your liver can worsen hepatitis C.
• Drinking less, or stoping drinking alcohol—the less you drink, the better for your liver. Sometimes drinking less, or not at all, is more important than treating HCV.
• Maintaining normal weight. Being overweight increases your risk for fatty liver.
• Drinking plenty of water, to help your liver filter out waste and toxins.
• Eating fewer fatty, salty and high sugar foods.
• Trying to eat more fresh fruit and vegetables, complex carbohydrates (whole grains, breads, rice, pasta, cereals, vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts and seeds), low-fat foods, high-fibre foods and an adequate amount of protein.
• Using HCV treatment to reduce liver damage.
• Asking questions and getting support. Talking with other people who are living with hepatitis C or HIV and HCV.