How to Lower Liver Enzyme Levels

Liver enzymes, also known as Serum Glutamate Pyruvate Transaminase (SGPT) or Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), are vital for energy production in the liver. These enzymes are present in various tissues like the liver, skeletal muscles, and heart, with the highest concentration in the liver. When the liver is damaged, SGPT leaks from the cells into the bloodstream. Normal SGPT levels range from 7 to 56 units per liter of blood. High SGPT levels in the blood could indicate liver damage or issues, but it could also result from intense physical activity. If you frequently experience high SGPT levels, it's advisable to adjust your diet and lifestyle, or seek medical treatment to restore SGPT to normal levels. Start with Step 1 below to reduce SGPT levels.

Increase Vitamin D Intake. Liver damage causes SGPT to leak into the bloodstream. According to a recent study, vitamin D helps prevent liver damage and lower SGPT levels; individuals with higher vitamin D intake are less likely to develop liver diseases than those with low vitamin D levels. Therefore, it's essential to include at least one type of fruit and vegetable in every main meal to ensure sufficient vitamin D intake daily, preventing liver diseases.

• Rich sources of vitamin D include leafy greens, cod liver oil, fish, vitamin D-fortified cereals, oysters, caviar, tofu, soy milk, dairy products, eggs, mushrooms, apples, and oranges.

Follow a nutrient-rich diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. Eating organic foods helps regulate liver function, detoxify the liver, and promote the creation of new cells to prevent SGPT leakage into the bloodstream. These foods are typically rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, with low fat content; in short, they are good for the entire body. Focus on consuming fresh, whole foods that you prepare yourself. Avoid overly processed foods that lose their nutritional value during manufacturing.

• Ensure your diet is colorful. Leafy greens, broccoli, carrots, squash, and a variety of fresh fruits should be the core components of your meals, along with nuts, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and lean meats.

Avoid fatty foods. Fatty foods make the liver work harder to process nutrients. While it’s normal to have some fat in the liver, having more than 10% fat in the liver results in a condition called "fatty liver disease." These fat-laden cells can cause inflammation, leading to liver damage. Damaged liver cells release SGPT into the blood, increasing SGPT levels.

• It’s best to avoid fatty foods such as deep-fried items, animal fats, chicken and pork skin, coconut oil, cheese, processed foods, sausages, salted meats, junk foods, and soda.

Avoid foods high in salt or sodium. Excessive salt in the body, particularly in the liver, can cause swelling and water retention. This makes it harder for the liver to filter waste effectively. Over time, liver damage may occur, allowing SGPT to leak into the blood.

• Avoid foods like salt, seasoning powder, baking soda, soy sauce, salad dressings, salted meats, sausages, fermented foods, and other processed items. Avoid adding extra salt to your dishes if possible.
• Since salt is widespread in most foods, try cooking at home to control your salt intake. The average adult needs only 2300mg (1 teaspoon) of salt per day.

Stop consuming alcoholic beverages. Alcohol is extremely harmful to the liver. After long-term alcohol consumption, your liver can eventually stop functioning altogether. When you drink alcohol, the alcohol enters your bloodstream and is transported to your kidneys to start the filtering process. The liver's role is to filter out all toxins from the body, including toxins from alcohol. Over time, this can cause severe liver damage. The more damaged the liver is, the more SGPT leaks from liver cells into the blood.

• Alcohol consumption is a major contributor to liver diseases, such as fatty liver, cirrhosis, and hepatitis. Being strict with yourself is a way to minimize alcohol-related liver diseases, thereby reducing the amount of SGPT released into the blood.

Exercise daily. Simple exercises such as brisk walking, jogging, and swimming can improve overall health, while also strengthening the liver. Staying active helps the body eliminate toxins through sweat, and is also a great way to burn fat and keep the body lean. Exercise builds more lean tissue and healthy organs, including the liver, helping to maintain optimal physical condition. The fewer toxins the liver has to filter, the more energy it has to devote to cell regeneration.

• At least 30 minutes of exercise each day can significantly improve liver health. When toxins are flushed out, the liver has less work to do, which helps prevent SGPT levels from rising.

Quit smoking. Cigarette smoke contains many toxins such as nicotine and ammonia. Exposure to these toxins results in them attaching to your skin and entering the body, making the liver work harder to remove all the toxins. It's best to avoid being around secondhand smoke, as you can be affected in the same way as active smokers.

• Not only does smoking harm SGPT levels, but it also negatively affects the heart, lungs, kidneys, skin, hair, and nails. It can even make those around you uncomfortable. Even if it weren’t for SGPT levels, you should quit smoking for all these other reasons.

Avoid exposure to other harmful chemicals. A polluted environment, containing exhaust fumes, gasoline, ammonia, and other toxic chemicals, can significantly affect your health. If you live or work in an area with frequent exposure to these toxins, try to minimize contact as much as possible. These toxins can be absorbed through the skin and cause liver damage, raising SGPT levels.

• If you must be around toxic fumes, wear long sleeves, pants, a mask, and gloves regularly. The more cautious you are, the better it will be for your long-term health.

Make an effort to lose weight if you are overweight or obese. If you are struggling with your weight, you may be at risk for fatty liver disease, which is a common cause of elevated SGPT levels. Consult with a doctor about effective and safe methods to control your weight, or ask for a referral to a certified nutritionist.

• For most people, the most effective and safe way to lose weight is through exercise, eating whole, unprocessed foods in appropriate portions. Consult with your doctor about suitable, healthy diet and exercise plans.

Blood test. SGPT levels can be assessed through a blood test. In cases of acute liver damage, SGPT levels increase rapidly as it leaks into the bloodstream due to cell damage. However, it's important to determine the underlying cause of the elevated SGPT, as it may be due to recent physical exercise or intense activity.

• An increase in SGPT alone does not confirm liver damage. This indicator should be considered alongside other liver tests to determine if actual liver damage has occurred.
• Various underlying causes can lead to different levels of liver enzyme elevation. For instance, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is the leading cause of mild liver enzyme increase in the United States. Fatty liver is associated with obesity and insulin resistance. Mild liver enzyme elevation can also be linked to thyroid disorders or overexertion.

Stop taking over-the-counter drugs. If your liver is already compromised, continuing to take over-the-counter medications will burden the liver further, as it must process and filter these substances, potentially causing additional harm. It's best to only take medications prescribed by your doctor.

• If you're unsure, consult your doctor. Some medications are harmful to the liver, and your doctor may prescribe alternatives that are less damaging.
• Medications like antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can raise SGPT and SGOT levels. Discuss with your doctor about different medications to prevent possible liver damage.
• Be particularly cautious with medications that contain acetaminophen, as it's a common ingredient in many over-the-counter drugs, including pain relievers and cold and flu medications.

Consider corticosteroid use. These drugs work by suppressing the immune system. They also reduce inflammation by inhibiting the production of inflammatory chemicals, thus limiting cell damage. Corticosteroids are available in oral or intravenous forms. Common corticosteroids include Hydrocortisone, Prednisone, and Fludrocortisone.

• Once inflammation decreases, liver cells begin regenerating, which results in a decrease in SGPT release into the bloodstream.
• Consult with your doctor before taking corticosteroids. Never take any medication without your doctor's approval.

Take antiviral medications. The liver can become infected with viruses, such as hepatitis. After conducting a blood test, your doctor will determine the specific virus causing the infection and may prescribe antiviral medications like Entecavir, Sofosbuvir, Telaprevir, and others.

• These medications work similarly to corticosteroids. Once the infection clears, liver cells regenerate, and SGPT levels in the bloodstream decrease.

Consult your doctor about interferon therapy. Interferon is a protein released by the body in response to foreign invaders such as viruses, bacteria, tumor cells, or parasites. This medication stimulates the immune system to target and eliminate these invaders.

• SGPT levels decrease once the infection resolves, and liver cells begin regenerating, which helps regulate SGPT levels. The new cells prevent SGPT from leaking into the blood.
• Interferon may cause side effects such as dizziness, hair loss, loss of appetite, fatigue, shortness of breath, and flu-like symptoms. Always discuss potential risks and side effects with your doctor before beginning any new treatment.

Consider taking herbal supplements. Adjusting your lifestyle alongside taking herbal supplements may help reduce SGPT levels. Consult your doctor to determine which supplements are safe and appropriate for you. Some herbal supplements to consider include:

• Milk Thistle. Milk thistle helps prevent and repair liver damage caused by chemicals and toxins. This supplement is available in doses ranging from 100mg to 1000mg. The standard dosage is 200mg, taken 2-3 times daily.
• Inositol. Inositol aids in the breakdown of fats in the liver. However, it can cause stomach pain and diarrhea. It is available in 500mg and 1000mg pills. A typical dosage is 500mg, three times a day.
• Burdock Root. Burdock root helps cleanse the liver and prevents further liver damage. This supplement is available in doses ranging from 500mg to 1000mg. A common dosage is 500mg, taken three times daily.

Understand your desired SGPT levels. Different laboratories may have varying reference ranges depending on the testing method. However, normal values generally fall within a defined range. The typical normal range for SGPT is 10-40 international units per liter of blood.

• SGPT levels can be significantly elevated (more than 15 times the upper limit of normal) in cases of hepatitis, and moderately elevated (5-15 times the upper limit) in severe burns, cirrhosis, obstructive jaundice, or liver tumors. A slight increase in SGPT (under 5 times the upper limit) may occur in cases of pancreatitis, shock, infectious mononucleosis, or myocardial infarction.