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How to Lower ALT and AST Liver Enzymes
High levels of liver enzymes in the blood stream are a prime indicator of liver disease. Low levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in the blood are normal, but high levels require action. More ALT and AST enzymes are able to enter the blood if the liver’s membrane is deteriorating. This situation is not a time for panic, but it does indicate a problem, which requires changes to your lifestyle.
Test for hepatitis and other diseases and problems such as diabetes and heart disease, which can cause high levels of ALT and AST. Ask a doctor to test you for both of these conditions. It is important to rule out the big risks or to deal with them.
How to Get Liver Enzymes Back to Normal Levels
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Change your lifestyle. Cut back on liver busting products such as alcohol, cigarettes and junk food. You need to remove the toxins from your body to give your liver time to recover. Drink plenty of water and fruit juices. Pack more vegetables and fruits into your diet and limit red meats.
Exercise more. By exercising more often you are burning off excess fat and cleaning out your system in another way. Fatty livers often cause elevated ALT/AST levels. Getting into shape really helps. Take it easy at first and slowly build up; even going for a walk makes a difference. However, avoid strenuous exercise prior to an enzyme blood test, as it will artificially raise your ALT/AST count.
Show Your Liver Some Love With Foods That Lower ALT Liver Enzymes
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Assess the medicine you take 2. Many antibiotics, cholesterol-reducing drugs, pain relief pills, anti-seizure medicine and cardiovascular drugs can cause elevated AST and ALT levels. Talk to your physician or pharmacist about other options.
Warnings
Avoid exercise if you have damaged a muscle. Let the muscle rest and repair itself. Injured muscles can cause enzyme levels to rise if stressed through exercise.
Related Articles
References
- Medline Plus – ALT
- Medline Plus – AST
- Gowda S, Desai PB, Hull VV, Math AA, Vernekar SN, Kulkarni SS. A review on laboratory liver function tests. Pan Afr Med J. 2009;3:17.
- Bayard M, Holt J, Boroughs E. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Am Fam Physician. 2006;73(11):1961-8.
- Newsome, P.; Cramb, R.; Davison, S. et al. Guidelines on the management of abnormal liver blood tests. Gut. 2018;67:6-19. doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2017-314924.
Warnings
- Avoid exercise if you have damaged a muscle. Let the muscle rest and repair itself. Injured muscles can cause enzyme levels to rise if stressed through exercise.
Writer Bio
Mark Wollacott began writing professionally in 2009. He has freelanced for "Kansai Time Out" and "Kansai Scene" magazines and he has also worked for Travelocity and the Austin Post, writing about travel, business and technology. Wollacott has a Bachelor of Arts in ancient history and archaeology from the University of Wales.