Ursodiol (also called ursodeoxycholic acid or UDCA) is the first-line treatment doctors recommend for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). This medication helps improve bile flow, reduce liver damage, and slow the disease’s progression.
There are no strict food rules when taking ursodiol, but certain foods can make it harder for your body to absorb the medicine or put extra stress on your liver.
Your pharmacist or healthcare provider is the best person to ask about what foods you should avoid with your medication. But in general, people with PBC should limit high-fat and processed foods. It’s also important to avoid drinking alcohol, which can further harm your liver function.
Here are some foods to cut back on, along with ideas for healthier alternatives.
It’s harder to absorb fat when you have PBC. That’s because people with PBC often have low bile acid, which makes it difficult to digest fat. Eating too much fat can lead to diarrhea and other stomach problems.
If you have diarrhea, your body may not absorb your medications as well. Diarrhea is also a possible side effect of ursodiol, so it’s a good idea to avoid high-fat foods that might make this side effect worse.
Your body still needs some fat, but try to avoid unhealthy fats like those found in high-fat and processed meats and choose healthier fats that your body needs.
Instead of full-fat bacon or sausage, try leaner and healthier options, such as turkey bacon or chicken sausage that’s free of nitrates and nitrites. An even better option is to make your own from ground turkey or chicken. Seafood and shellfish are also good choices because they have healthier fats than red meat. Just be sure your seafood is cooked fully to avoid foodborne illness.
Full-fat dairy products are another common source of fats that may be unhealthy for people with PBC. If you put half-and-half in your coffee, eat cheese and full-fat yogurt throughout the day, or enjoy a bowl of ice cream at night, you could be eating too much fat.
Take a closer look at how much high-fat dairy you eat. Make healthier swaps where you can. For example:
Deep-fried foods are also high in unhealthy fats. When cooking oil is reused for frying (which often happens in restaurants), it breaks down and forms trans fats, which are linked to heart disease and other health problems.
Fried foods can also cause heartburn. In addition, heartburn is a common side effect of ursodiol. Unfortunately, some common antacids used for heartburn symptoms can interact with ursodiol. Avoiding fried food might help prevent heartburn altogether, so you won’t need to take an antacid. If you still have heartburn symptoms after avoiding fried foods or other common triggers, ask your healthcare provider about over-the-counter antacids that are safe for you.
Greasy fried foods aren’t a good choice for people with PBC. Luckily, you can still get the same savory crunch from healthier baked items. Try:
Too much sugar can raise your risk for fatty liver disease. It can also make you feel sluggish. One member of myPBCteam shared, “I had avoided sugar and processed foods for almost a year. I overindulged during the holidays and now I feel awful.”
When you drink sweet drinks, the sugar adds up fast. Still, about 65 percent of adults in the U.S. drink sugary beverages daily. Research has linked these drinks to a higher risk of liver cancer.
To protect your liver, cut back on soda, fruit juice, sweet teas, and sugary coffee drinks. If you’re having a hard time breaking the habit, try diluting sweet drinks by adding water, ice, or carbonated water. Over time, your taste buds will adjust — and your body will thank you.
Whether you’re craving Chinese food, pizza, or burgers and fries, most take-out meals have one thing in common — they’re high in sodium. If you have PBC, it’s important to limit how much sodium you eat, especially if you have swelling from water retention.
Some members of myPBCteam who take ursodiol have noticed that eating less sodium helps reduce itching. One member shared, “The hardest part for me since I went to stage 3 is the unimaginable itching. I put a light dust of cornstarch where all my creases are on my abdomen and my waistband rubs. I also use a blow-dryer occasionally to dry my whole body and disrupt the flow of the nerves so I can sleep. But the biggest help is to cut way back on sodium.”
Some studies suggest that people with PBC may have a higher risk of heart disease. But even without PBC, heart disease is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Cutting back on sodium can help lower blood pressure and support better heart health. High sodium is also hard on your stomach, kidneys, and other organs.
The good news is, it’s easier than you think to reduce the sodium in your diet. Here are a few tips:
On myPBCteam, members come together to find support and information about primary biliary cholangitis. This social network connects you with others who understand what it’s like to live with PBC.
How do you maintain a healthy, balanced diet while taking ursodiol for PBC? Are there any specific foods you avoid? Share your take in the comments section or on your Activities page.
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