How to Lower ALT Liver Enzyme Levels

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is an enzyme primarily found in the liver, although it is also present in smaller amounts in the kidneys, heart, muscles, and pancreas. High ALT levels may indicate serious health issues, particularly liver-related diseases. To lower ALT levels, focus on improving overall liver health and consult with your doctor to understand the cause of the elevated ALT. Regular blood tests can help monitor your ALT levels.

Limit alcohol consumption. Excessive alcohol intake is one of the most common causes of liver damage, but even moderate alcohol consumption can harm liver cells if consumed over a prolonged period.

• Moderate alcohol intake is defined as one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. Limit your alcohol consumption to below these levels to improve ALT levels and liver health. If you already have liver disease, it is advisable to avoid alcohol completely.

Drink more coffee. Surprisingly, a recent study shows that consuming a cup of coffee daily may help reduce the risk of liver disease. Since ALT levels are closely tied to liver damage, drinking coffee could positively impact ALT levels in the body.

• Note that these studies are relatively recent, so the relationship between ALT and coffee is still not fully confirmed.
• Green tea also supports liver health. It contains antioxidants known as "catechins," believed to improve various bodily functions, including liver function.

Eat organic foods. If your ALT levels are significantly high, consider switching to an organic diet. Most people can tolerate food additives, but for those with high ALT and liver damage, these chemicals may worsen the condition.

• The liver's job is to filter toxins, but when overloaded, it can weaken and lose its function.
• By law, organic foods cannot contain genetically modified organisms, synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, antibiotics, growth hormones, or similar drugs, making them easier for the body to process.

Limit junk food. Excessive sugar and fats also put additional stress on the liver, so reducing these can improve liver function and lower ALT levels.

• Specifically, reduce your intake of fructose and trans fats. Fructose is found in soda and fruit juices. Trans fats are in fried foods, fast food, and processed foods.

Eat more fruits and vegetables. Many fruits and vegetables naturally detoxify the body, reducing stress on the liver and aiding in its healing, which can lower ALT levels.

• Vegetables rich in sulfur, such as onions and garlic, are especially beneficial.
• Cabbage-family vegetables like broccoli, kale, collard greens, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower are among the most effective foods for lowering ALT levels.
• Other fruits and vegetables that improve liver health include grapefruit, beets, leafy greens, avocados, and lemons.

Increase fiber intake. Fiber helps to push toxins through the digestive system faster, thus reducing the time these toxins spend in the liver.

• Many fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of fiber.
• Whole grains and seeds are another abundant source of fiber. Flaxseeds are especially helpful as they bind to excess hormones that can be harmful and expel them from the body more effectively.

Be cautious when using fiber supplements. Although some herbal remedies are marketed to help restore liver health and improve ALT levels, there is often very little research backing these claims. In fact, some herbal supplements and remedies may even harm the liver and worsen ALT levels.

• Consult with your doctor before taking any herbal remedy or combination of herbs.
• Herbs associated with liver issues include cascara (coffeeberry), chaparral, comfrey, kava kava, and ephedra.
• Milk thistle seed extract is a supplement believed to support liver health. Other supplements include fish oil, green tea extract, curcumin (naturally found in turmeric), alpha-lipoic acid, and acetyl-L-carnitine.

Exercise regularly. Physical activity naturally improves overall health, so consistent cardio/aerobic exercises can also help improve liver health and lower ALT levels.

• Studies show that exercising a minimum of 150 minutes per week for an average adult can improve liver enzymes like ALT.
• Exercise also helps reduce excess weight and limits fat accumulation in the liver. It also promotes sweating, which is part of the body’s natural detox process.
• Even 30 minutes of walking per day can be beneficial. You can split this into two 15-minute sessions.

Lose weight if necessary. Obesity can lead to fat buildup in liver cells, and when this occurs, the liver becomes inflamed.

• The best way to lose weight is gradually, through a healthy diet and regular exercise. Rapid weight loss through extreme diets and drastic measures will actually put more pressure on the body and organs, potentially causing more problems than before you lost the weight.

Quit smoking if you smoke. The chemicals in cigarettes often contain toxins that damage liver cells as the liver works to filter these harmful substances. Stop smoking to enhance liver health and improve ALT levels.

• Similarly, avoid secondhand smoke as you can inhale most of these toxins, facing similar risks as active smokers.

Avoid exposure to harmful chemicals in the environment. Many household chemicals contain toxins that can damage the liver. Limiting exposure to these chemicals can improve liver health and reduce ALT levels.

• These toxins can be found in various cleaning products, sprays, and pesticides.
• Switch to using natural household products instead of chemicals. Whenever possible, opt for natural alternatives, such as using vinegar to whiten clothes instead of bleach. Additionally, explore commercially available products labeled as 'natural.'
• If you must use chemicals for cleaning, wear rubber or nitrile gloves to protect your skin.

Invest in an air purifier. A small air purifier can help filter polluted indoor air. Removing toxins from the air is another way to prevent them from passing through the liver.

• This may be especially important if you live in an area with heavy traffic.
• For optimal effectiveness, use a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. These filters are widely available in stores that sell filtration products.

Avoid medications linked to liver damage. Some medications and combinations of drugs can harm the liver, especially when used regularly over long periods. To improve ALT levels, stay away from medications known to weaken the liver.

• Acetaminophen can be toxic to the liver when taken in excess. In addition to being a standalone pain reliever, acetaminophen is found in many cold medications and other prescription painkillers. Other painkillers like aspirin, diclofenac, and naproxen can have similar harmful effects on the liver.
• Cholesterol-lowering medications can also harm the liver, but consult with your doctor before stopping any prescribed cholesterol-lowering drugs.
• Other drugs that may increase ALT levels include certain antibiotics (sulfonamides, nitrofurantoin), tuberculosis medications (isoniazid), antifungals (fluconazole, itraconazole), epilepsy drugs (phenytoin, carbamazepine), and tricyclic antidepressants. Statins, chemotherapy drugs, narcotic sleep aids, and barbiturates can also raise ALT levels.
• If you are on medication, consult with your doctor or pharmacist before starting new drugs to ensure they won’t harm your liver due to drug interactions.
• If you prefer natural remedies, consider consulting an integrative medicine practitioner. Be sure to check with your primary healthcare provider to ensure these alternatives are safe for you.

Treat the underlying causes. High ALT levels are not inherently harmful, but they often signal an underlying issue with the liver. To reduce ALT levels long-term, address the conditions that might be damaging the liver.

• Hepatitis is the leading cause of elevated ALT. This can include acute viral hepatitis (both A and B) and chronic viral hepatitis (both B and C). If you are concerned about hepatitis, visit your doctor for a blood test.
• Cirrhosis can also raise ALT levels. This occurs when the liver becomes scarred due to prolonged inflammation.
• Fatty liver disease can elevate ALT, especially alcohol-related fatty liver disease.
• Hemochromatosis is known to increase ALT. This genetic disorder causes excess iron buildup in the liver.
• Reduced blood flow to the liver can raise ALT. This condition often occurs in cases of shock or heart failure.
• Rarer conditions associated with high ALT levels include: mushroom poisoning, Wilson’s disease, liver cancer, autoimmune hepatitis, pregnancy, inflammatory bowel disease, gallstones, and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.

• ALT helps the body metabolize proteins. When the liver isn't functioning properly, it releases ALT into the bloodstream. This is why elevated ALT levels often signal liver issues.
• ALT levels are typically monitored through a special blood test, with results usually available within 12 hours, depending on the medical facility.
• The normal ALT range for men is 10-40 units per liter or 0.17–0.68 microkats per liter. For women, the normal range is 7-35 units per liter or 0.12–0.60 microkats per liter.

• Elevated ALT levels often indicate liver damage. A mild increase usually signals minor damage, but an increase of 10-20 times the normal level may suggest severe liver injury.
• If ALT levels are high, consult with your doctor to determine the cause and how to lower them. The advice in this article is general and serves as a starting point. Specific health concerns should be addressed by a medical professional.
• Always visit your doctor for guidance and follow their instructions.