Introduction
Liver values include several parameters that can be determined from blood by laboratory and are used in the diagnosis of liver diseases. Parameters that indicate liver damage are aspartate aminotransferase (AST or GOT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT or GPT) and GGT. ALT is more specific because AST is also found in other tissues.
Parameters that indicate bile stasis are GGT, alkaline phosphatase (AP) and direct and indirect bilirubin. Furthermore, there are some parameters that indicate a synthesis disorder of the liver. These include some blood clotting factors and albumin. In addition, there are further parameters such as pseudocholinesterase, which can be determined for more specific questions. Further general information on this topic can be found here: Liver values
What are the options for lowering liver values?
There are many different ways to lower liver values. Since there is a certain variety of liver values, which can be elevated by various causes, the methods to bring about a reduction also differ. Probably the most difficult method for the affected person himself, but probably the simplest method of all, is a lifestyle change.
The change should include a balanced, healthy diet as well as increased exercise and sports. Since it is often difficult to go through this, the lifestyle change is not always successful. In addition to this method, medication can be the cause of increased liver values.
It can be helpful to either take an additional medication or to discontinue an existing medication in consultation with a doctor or to replace a medication with another active substance. Furthermore, some home remedies can be used to try to lower liver values. Some substances are said to have a certain effectiveness, but household remedies do not always have the same quality and can have different effects on different people.
The same applies to homeopathic substances. If there is a general aversion to medication in the case of slightly elevated liver values, home remedies and homeopathy are recommended, especially at the beginning of treatment. A change of diet is based on simple basic principles.
On the one hand, one should pay attention to a balanced, healthy diet. On the other hand one should avoid food that is harmful to the liver. Nowadays, high-fat, high-sugar and low-fiber foods are widespread.
Unfortunately this form is not recommended. For a diet that is gentle on the liver, one should make sure to consume sufficient amounts of vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates and minerals. A diet based mainly on fruit and vegetables is suitable for this.
In addition, one can try to replace high-fat meat with fish or poultry, as these usually have a lower proportion of fat in comparison. In general, overweight is also a risk factor for increased liver values. There are also some foods that actively lower liver values.
In addition to caffeine, these include dark chocolate, bitter vegetables and some herbal-based teas. Alcohol, on the other hand, is considered to be particularly harmful to the liver and should therefore be avoided. Chronic, excessive consumption of alcohol alone can cause massive damage to the liver and have dramatic consequences for the human body.
It is also advisable to give up smoking in the course of a change of diet, as this also has negative effects on the liver and liver values in general. Regular exercise has a positive effect on the liver values, whereby not only positive effects on the liver are known, but also positive effects for the rest of the body such as reduced blood pressure or a slower heartbeat. In addition to increased physical activity, a change in diet can also be beneficial.
Sport should be done several times a week for at least half an hour. Particularly good effects can be observed in endurance sports such as cycling or running. In addition, care should be taken to get enough exercise in everyday life as well as in sports. In order to achieve long-term success in lowering liver values through sport, one may skip one training session, but the sport should be performed relatively consistently and seriously.
