Almost 27,000 Americans die from liver diseases each year, reports New York Presbyterian Hospital. Diseases affecting the liver range from hepatitis to cirrhosis. One key indicator of liver disease is an elevated level of alanine aminotransferase, or ALT. Blueberry leaf extract may be instrumental in reducing liver inflammation and ALT levels. Consult your physician before you begin taking any herbal extract or supplement to treat your liver condition.
ALT
A high alanine aminotransferase, or ALT, level is an indication that the liver is injured or inflamed. The ALT test is often given in conjunction with an aspartate aminotransferase, or AST, test, a bilirubin test or a total protein test to determine the extent of the damage and the type of disease the patient may have. The ALT test can also help physicians determine is a particular treatment is working, because as the inflammation is reduced, the ALT levels go down.
Blueberry Leaf Extract
Blueberry leaf extract is made from pressing the leaves of the blueberry plant. This extract is used in herbal medicine to nourish the kidneys, according to Hannu Hupli, PhD, author of "Best Life & Health." Additionally, blueberry leaf extract may help to reduce LDL cholesterol levels and raise HDL cholesterol levels, stabilize blood sugar in diabetics and stop diarrhea. You can find blueberry leaf extract at your local health food store or from an online retailer.
Blueberry Leaf Extract and ALT Levels
A 2007 study by researchers at the Institute of Immunopathology at the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences indicated that blueberry leaf extract can lead to lower ALT levels, suggesting that the extract may play a role in reducing liver inflammation. As of 2011, researchers aren't sure how the extract reduces ALT levels but taking the extract three times a day may also reduced the levels of other markers of liver inflammation, such as aspartate aminotransferases levels, glutamyltransferase levels, and C-reactive protein levels.
When to Consult a Physician
If you are exhibiting symptoms of liver disease, such as fatigue, nausea, abdominal swelling, jaundice, dark urine with light-colored stools or itching, consult your physician. A physician skilled in natural healing can help determine if blueberry leaf extract is right for your needs, and help determine an appropriate dose for your condition. Do not start taking blueberry leaf extract or any other supplement without consulting your physician because you may make your liver condition worse or inhibit the function of your other medications.
References
- New York-Presbyterian Hospital: Liver Disease Statistics
- American Association for Clinical Chemistry Lab Tests Online: ALT
- Best Life & Health; Hannu Hupli, PhD
- Life Extension Magazine: Blueberries Colorful Protection for a Healthier Heart, Sharper Brain, and Cancer Defense
- Georgian Med News; Effect of Blueberin on Fasting Glucose, C-reactive Protein and Plasma Aminotransferases, in Female Volunteers with Diabetes Type 2
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