How To Support Healthy Liver Enzymes (ATL Levels)
At Dose Daily, we believe in nurturing the body’s natural rhythms and processes, especially when it comes to liver health. Your liver is a silent workhorse, filtering every substance that enters your body. But what happens when this vital organ starts working overtime?
Elevated liver enzymes, particularly ALT (alanine transaminase or alanine aminotransferase), can be a wake-up call, signaling that it’s time to pay attention to your liver's well-being.
This article explores liver enzymes, shedding light on why maintaining optimal levels is key to your overall health and how you can actively support this crucial organ through lifestyle changes and natural remedies.
What Are Liver Enzymes?
Liver enzymes are special proteins produced by the liver. They play a vital role in your body by speeding up chemical reactions for various functions. Essentially, liver enzymes help your liver process nutrients from the food you eat, break down toxins, and clear out medications from your blood.
What Are the Different Types of Liver Enzymes?
There are several key enzymes the liver produces in order to maintain your well-being. These proteins act as chemical facilitators and indicators of your liver's health and efficiency.
- AST (aspartate transaminase or aspartate aminotransferase): Found in your liver, heart, and muscles, AST plays a crucial role in processing amino acids, the building blocks of proteins.
- ALP (alkaline phosphatase): Involved in breaking down proteins and playing a significant role in the bile ducts, ALP is crucial for assessing the condition of the bile duct system, which is pivotal for digestion.
- GGT (gamma-glutamyl transferase): This enzyme is especially sensitive to changes in liver function and helps identify issues with liver cells and the bile ducts. It responds to the smallest changes, providing early warnings.
What Is ALT?
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), while often under the radar, is pivotal in how your liver talks to you about its health. Unlike other enzymes like AST, ALP, and GGT, ALT is almost exclusively found in the liver. This makes it a highly specific indicator of liver health, unlike enzymes that could be elevated due to issues in other organs.
How To Tell If Your ALT Levels Are Too High
While ALT itself is a silent type, certain signs can hint that your ALT levels might be more than just numbers on a test result. Elevated ALT often accompanies subtle, and sometimes not-so-subtle, changes in your body’s operations.
Let’s walk through what might indicate your liver is having a tougher time than usual:
- Exhaustion That Lasts: Feeling unusually tired can be a sign that your liver isn't handling its filtration job as smoothly as it should.
- Discomfort in the Upper Abdomen: A feeling of fullness or pain on the right side of your belly, where your liver sits, might suggest tension or swelling.
- Changes in Skin and Eyes: Do you notice your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellow? Jaundice is a classic signal that your liver is struggling.
- Dark Urine and Pale Stools: These changes can be clues that ALT levels are high, indicating that bile flow might be affected.
What Are the Long-Term Side Effects of High Liver Enzymes?
Your liver is an essential organ for filtering out toxins and processing nutrients, but it can start to struggle when placed under persistent strain. This continuous demand can lead to liver stiffness, which affects the organ’s ability to function efficiently. If not addressed, this strain can progress to more serious liver problems such as cirrhosis or liver cancer.
Addressing elevated ALT levels early is key. If you're noticing changes, consult with a healthcare provider. They can offer insights tailored to your individual health needs, helping you understand the best actions based on your circumstances.
What Are Practical Tips To Lower Liver Enzymes?
Small lifestyle adjustments can make a big difference in supporting liver health and managing ALT levels. If you're aiming to maintain healthy liver function and healthy levels of liver enzymes, here are some practical steps to get you started.
Stay Active
There is nothing like a good workout to keep things running smoothly, including your liver.
Regular physical activity gives your liver a break, helps manage your weight, and encourages a healthy balance of enzymes. You don’t need to run marathons — a brisk walk or a bike ride does wonders.
Revamp Your Diet
What you eat and drink matters. Swapping in some liver-loving foods can make a difference:
- Fatty Fish and Lean Meats: These foods are great for adding protein and fatty acids without overloading your liver.
- Drinking Coffee: Believe it or not, a cup of coffee might actually be good for your liver. Coffee is linked to lower levels of liver enzymes, so feel free to savor that morning brew.
- Spice It Up With Turmeric: This golden spice supports liver health thanks to its active compound, curcumin. It also tastes great.
Mind Your Medications
Certain medications, like acetaminophen, can stress your liver when taken in large amounts or over long periods.
Always follow dosing instructions and check with your healthcare provider about any over-the-counter meds you take regularly. It’s wise to keep a list of your medications and review them with a hepatology expert to ensure they’re not contributing to high ALT levels.
Manage Your Weight
Obesity is a common cause of elevated liver enzymes. A healthy diet and regular exercise can promote weight loss and help lower liver enzymes. This approach supports liver health and reduces the risk of related medical conditions like type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol, which can further strain the liver.
Consider Supplements
Supplements can play a helpful role in supporting liver health. For example, milk thistle has liver-supporting properties. However, before adding any supplements to your routine, it’s best to seek medical advice to ensure they’re appropriate for you and won’t interact with other medications.
Stay Hydrated With Green Tea
Green tea can be a simple yet effective way to support your liver. It’s packed with antioxidants that help protect liver cells and may even help lower liver enzymes. Swapping out sugary drinks for a cup of this coveted tea might be what you need to give your liver a break and support your overall health.
How Can Dose Daily Support Your Liver Health?
Here at Dose Daily, we get that keeping your liver in check is a big deal, and we’re all about making that easier for you. Dose for Your Liver shot is a liver supplement made with science-backed ingredients like turmeric, milk thistle, and ginger.
Our wellness supplements are your partners in keeping your liver happy. We’ve ensured they come in just the right amounts to make a difference, all without adding any sugar or unwanted calories to your day.
Whether you're looking to keep those liver enzymes in line, support your body’s natural filtration, or just want to give your liver a bit of TLC, Dose can be a simple step in the right direction.
Wrapping It Up
Taking care of your liver is essential for preventing liver damage and maintaining a vibrant, energetic life. Elevated ALT levels can signal that your liver needs more care due to various risk factors, including dietary choices and lifestyle changes.
Dose Daily is committed to supporting your journey towards a healthier liver. Our wellness shots are crafted to integrate seamlessly into your daily routine, offering a blend of holistic ingredients that support liver health and help maintain lower ALT levels.
If you're looking to make a positive change in how you support your liver, consider Dose as a simple, practical step you can take every day. Here's to a healthy liver.
Sources:
Elevated Liver Enzymes: What Is It, Causes, Prevention & Treatment | Cleveland Clinic
Liver Function Tests - StatPearls | NCBI Bookshelf
Jaundice (yellowing of eyes and skin) - Viral Hepatitis and Liver Disease | va.gov