In spite of that progress, for the 3.5 million people with chronic hepatitis C, the fatigue, depression, and anxiety that often accompany the disease can make day-to-day life challenging. Many people with hepatitis C seek out complementary or alternative medicine (CAM) therapies to help with treatment and recovery. These are outside-the-mainstream healthcare practices used together with conventional medicine. In the 2012 National Health Interview Survey, about 2 out 5 people with liver disease reported using some kind of CAM in the prior year. It was used most often for anxiety and depression, and the majority of people felt that these therapies improved their health. Although many CAM therapies may boost the way you feel about yourself and your outlook on life, there’s no CAM treatment that’s been shown to help cure hepatitis C. As with any lifestyle change, if you want to incorporate CAM into your medical treatment, you should always discuss any plans with your doctor. Here’s a rundown of the most common complementary therapies for hepatitis C, both for the treatment of the disease and for helping with some of the difficulties that can come along with the diagnosis.
1. Milk Thistle
This plant contains an active ingredient called silymarin, a flavonoid thought to have antioxidant properties. It can be taken as a capsule, tablet, powder, or liquid extract. Studies on milk thistle’s efficacy in treating hepatitis have been mixed, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Laboratory research has suggested that milk thistle may protect and promote the growth of liver cells, work as an antioxidant, and inhibit inflammation. A study published in the American Journal of Medicine found no statistically significant improvements in hepatitis C virus levels or in quality-of life-measures in the silymarin group versus the control.
2. Vitamin D
A deficiency in D is common for people who have hepatitis C. A meta-analysis published in August 2017 the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics showed that additional use of vitamin D had a positive effect on the sustained viral response rates of people with hepatitis C. Supplementation with vitamin D can improve the effectiveness of interferon-based therapy for chronic hepatitis C, but the most recent way to treat hepatitis C is through direct-acting antivirals. Right now, there isn’t much research about the optimal level of vitamin D for someone undergoing treatment for hepatitis C. There is evidence of the benefit of vitamin D for improving mood and anti-inflammatory biomarkers in some people, as shown in a study published in February 2019 in the International Journal of Preventive Medicine. Talk to your doctor about whether taking a vitamin D supplement would be appropriate given your diagnosis.
3. Yoga
Grounded in ancient Indian philosophy, yoga practice aims to integrate the mind, body, and spirit. It’s one of the most popular complementary therapies, and classes can be found at many wellness and community centers around the country. There’s no evidence that shows practicing yoga will improve your hepatitis C, but it can help you improve your fitness and increase flexibility. Several studies have shown that yoga can also help with reducing your overall stress, including one published in 2018 in the International Journal of Preventive Medicine; and stress can negatively impact many chronic diseases. The 2017 National Health Interview Survey reported the numerous benefits that people who practiced yoga experienced:
86 percent said it reduced stress.59 percent said it improved their sleep.67 percent said they felt better emotionally.39 percent said yoga made it easier to cope with health problems.
4. Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been practiced in China and other countries in Asia for thousands of years. Using tiny needles, practitioners stimulate different points on the body to ease back pain, headaches, and menstrual cramps, and help minimize the symptoms of many chronic illnesses. There appear to be some benefits for people with chronic pain, as suggested in a meta-analysis published in October 2012 in JAMA Internal Medicine, but there aren’t any published studies that show specific benefit for people with hepatitis C. It’s possible for the hepatitis C virus to be transmitted through acupuncture. If you decide to try this therapy to treat your hepatitis C symptoms, make sure to check with your doctor and let your acupuncturist know that you have the virus.
5. Massage Therapy
Encompassing dozens of manipulation techniques in which different muscles, tendons, and ligaments are worked by a trained therapist, it can be gentle and soothing or have a “hurt so good” feeling when the practitioner is applying a lot of pressure to muscles. The science on massage therapy to treat particular conditions is mixed, and there’s no evidence that directly links massage to the treatment of hepatitis C. It has been shown to help with some symptoms that often accompany hepatitis C. Massage helped reduce depression, as shown in a meta-analysis published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. Massage therapy was also associated with an overall improvement in quality of life and functioning in people who were undergoing cancer treatment in a study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.
