HARVONI is RBV-free for the majority of TN and TE patients without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis, regardless of GT 1a or 1b subtype1. In patients without a history of HBV infection, no hepatic monitoring is required when HARVONI is used alone1.
If you choose to include pretzels in your diet, select low-sodium or salt-free pretzels to avoid eating most of your sodium requirement in one food type. Eat your low-salt pretzels with a healthy food, such as raw vegetables, hummus or fat-free yogurt.
The lye solution does at least two things for pretzels: It raises the pH of the pretzel's skin, which in turn makes the pretzel brown nicely as it bakes. Imparts that slightly bitter flavor. I don't think the salt used on pretzels is there to make up for a lack of salt in the dough. You can make pretzels that have plenty of flavor even without salt. I think the salt is there mainly because people like salt, because it adds a pleasing crunch, and because it's traditional -- it's part of what people (or at least Americans) expect from the pretzel experience.