The liver plays a significant role in filtering waste and toxins from your body. Proteins produced by your liver, called enzymes, help in a variety of functions, including the production of bile fluids that help break down food products. These enzymes travel in your bloodstream and when your liver produces too much of the major enzymes an underlying medical condition may ensue. Elevated liver enzymes can result from taking certain medications or from serious liver disease, including hepatitis, fatty liver or cirrhosis. Improving liver enzyme levels involves medical intervention and lifestyle changes.
Step 1
Get a hepatic function panel and physical health exam for accurate diagnosis. Different enzymes are produced by your liver, including alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase. A liver test can determine the damaged area of your liver causing the elevation. The course of treatment depends on the underlying cause of the enzyme elevation.
Step 2
Take prescription medications as advised by your physician, and review all other medications you use to determine the potential for interactions. Your physician may prescribe diuretics if swelling is an issue resulting from elevated enzymes. Tell your physician if you take any other medications, including over-the-counter pain relievers, because these may increase enzymes and liver complications if you have underlying inflammation or damage.
Step 3
Stop drinking alcohol. A damaged liver cannot properly filter the toxic substance ethanol, the primary ingredient in alcohol, from your body. Continued alcohol use increases the injury to your liver, thus perpetuating elevated enzymes.
Step 4
Follow a low-protein, low-sodium diet. A well-balanced diet is important in healing liver damage. But when you are trying to improve enzyme levels you need to limit daily intake of nutrients that your liver is unable to filter properly, including protein and sodium. Increase your fruit and vegetable intake while decreasing the protein you eat from animal-based foods like steak, dairy and fried meats. Limit sodium and use of table salt to reduce the risk of swelling associated with elevated enzymes. Consult your physician for exact dietary instructions based on your specific liver condition.
Step 5
Lose weight if you are not at a healthy body mass. Obesity increases the risk of liver damage and elevated enzymes. Eat healthy foods and engage in regular exercise to improve weight loss efforts. Consult your physician for weight loss recommendations based on your health status.
Tips and Warnings
- Attend all follow up appointments with your physician to ensure optimal results for sustaining normal liver functions.
- Avoid medications with acetaminophen, which increases the risk of elevated enzymes and liver damage.
