Pamela Anderson opts for vegan diet to combat hepatitis C symptoms

A People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) supporter and Baywatch blond bombshell, Pamela Anderson has launched an effort to raise awareness of the risks of hepatitis C. Anderson, who was diagnosed with the disease in 2002, credits her vegan diet as one of the reasons she is able to prevent further complications associated with the virus, according to The Press Association (UKPA).

Hepatitis C, which spreads through bodily fluids, may lead to many liver problems, including inflammation. If left untreated, the virus can cause further damage to the organ, resulting in cancer or cirrhosis, which is another term for liver scarring that leads to chronic liver disease.

Vegan diet relies on the consumption of fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains and nuts, the Vegetarian Resource Group reports. Among this group of food items, blueberries can contribute to better liver function, according to a study published in the World Journal of Gastroeterology.

Anderson told UKPA that "I have hepatitis C and I feel great, which I think has a lot to do with my diet."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2007, a total of 849 cases of hepatitis C were reported in the U.S., but researchers suggest that an estimated 17,000 people may have contracted the virus.