The liver is a very unique body organ. The liver is the largest internal organ and one of the few organs that has limited regeneration capacity. The various functions of the liver, from eliminating toxins to aiding the digestive system, are very important for the body. However, the liver can become damaged if it is overworked. Elevated levels of liver enzymes are an indication that the liver is working too hard. Fortunately, simply by changing your diet, liver enzyme levels can be brought back to normal levels.
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Method 1 of 3: Detecting Liver Disease
Step 1. Learn the function of the liver
The liver helps the function of glands and other organ systems. Lever helps maintain a healthy body by detoxifying hormones, drugs, and organic compounds that are not produced by the human body. The liver also functions to form cholesterol and certain proteins that prevent inflammation and blood clots. In addition, the liver also plays a role in storing vitamins, minerals, and sugar and killing bacteria.
- The liver plays a role in many important functions of the body so it can become damaged by overwork.
- Levels of overworked liver enzymes must be returned to healthy levels for all liver function to function normally.
Step 2. Learn about the conditions that cause the liver to overwork
Partly because it plays a role in many important body functions, the liver is susceptible to a number of diseases. The following diseases cause elevated levels of liver enzymes:
- Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) or also known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This disease causes the accumulation of fats, such as triglycerides and cholesterol, in the liver.
- Viral hepatitis. The causes of hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E are different. However, all types of hepatitis infection cause the liver to overwork and become damaged.
- Various other infections, such as mononucleosis, adenovirus, and cytomegalovirus, also cause the liver to overwork. Bites of mites and parasites can also cause dangerous diseases, such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and toxoplasmosis.
- Cancer. Liver cancer is often triggered by liver cirrhosis and a previous viral infection.
- Alcoholic hepatitis.
- Jaundice.
- Liver cirrhosis. Liver cirrhosis is a condition where scar tissue forms in the advanced stages of the liver.
Step 3. Identify symptoms of liver disease
Because the liver plays a role in many important body functions, liver disease does not cause a typical set of symptoms. Each liver disease causes unique and common symptoms. Consult a doctor as soon as possible if the following symptoms occur:
- Yellowish skin and eyes (signs of jaundice)
- Pain and swelling in the abdomen
- Swollen feet and ankles
- Itchy skin
- Dark yellow or reddish urine
- Pale or bloody stools that are black in color
- Chronic fatigue
- Nauseous vomit
- Loss of appetite
- Losing weight
- Dry mouth, often thirsty
- Bruises are easy to form
Step 4. Consult a doctor to confirm the diagnosis
Have a physical examination carried out by a doctor and inform the doctor about all symptoms that occur as well as your complete medical history. Your doctor may also take a sample of your blood for analysis with a liver function test (LFT). The LFT measures the levels of various liver proteins and enzymes. The LFT results help doctors confirm the diagnosis. The following are some of the enzymes analyzed by LFT:
- AST (aspartate aminotransferase). AST levels are calculated to detect possible acute or chronic hepatitis.
- ALT (alanine aminotransferase). levels are calculated to detect and monitor the severity of hepatitis and liver damage. Patients with diabetes and viral hepatitis as well as alcoholics usually have high alt=""Image" levels.</li" />
- Comparison of AST/ALT levels often indicates whether liver disease is caused by infection, inflammation, or alcohol.
- ALP (alkaline phosphatase). ALP levels are calculated to help confirm the diagnosis of bone disease, liver disease, and gallbladder disorders.
- GGT (gamma-glutamyl transferase). Considered along with ALP levels, GGT levels help differentiate liver disease from bone disease. GGT levels can also indicate a history of alcohol consumption. About 75% of chronic alcoholics have high GGT levels.
- LD (lactic dehydrogenase). LD levels, sometimes also known as LDH, are considered along with other LFT results to monitor treatment for liver and other diseases. High levels of enzymes occur in various liver diseases, kidney diseases, and infections.
Step 5. Monitor liver enzyme levels
If you have had liver disease, you may need to have a liver test once a month or every 6-8 weeks. Monitor liver enzyme levels closely. A decrease in liver enzyme levels within 6-12 months indicates the success of the liver recovery method used. Inform your doctor about all the supplements you are taking and any changes in your symptoms.
Method 2 of 3: Changing Your Diet
Step 1. Eat lots of green leafy vegetables
Green leafy vegetables contain many vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Green leafy vegetables are very important for liver health because they are effective in reducing fat deposits in the liver. Examples of green leafy vegetables include red beetroot, sugar beet, silverbeet, collard, turnip, Indian mustard, spinach, kale, Brassicaceae vegetables (cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts), and all types of lettuce.
Step 2. Eat foods rich in antioxidants
Sugar beets alone cannot lower liver enzyme levels. However, sugar beets are rich in "flavonoids", antioxidants that can help the liver function. Also, eat avocados as they are rich in vitamin E, an effective natural antioxidant. Avocados and walnuts contain the body's main antioxidant precursor, glutathione.
- Walnuts are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids which are effective in reducing inflammation in the liver.
- Other geluk fruits, such as Brazil nuts, walnuts, pecans, and almonds, are also rich in B vitamins and various minerals.
Step 3. Eat 35–50 g of fiber daily
Fiber-rich foods inhibit the absorption of cholesterol. If the level of cholesterol, which is absorbed by the body and must be processed by the liver, decreases, the level of liver enzymes also decreases and the liver becomes healthier. In addition, fiber also makes the liver increase bile secretion so that it helps the digestion of fat and prevents liver disease. The following foods are high in fiber:
- Oats, wheat, corn, rice bran
- Beans (kratok, red tolo, black, red, big red, white, navy, pinto), lentils (red, brown, and yellow), and peas
- Various types of berries (strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, blackberry, loganberry, gooseberry, boysenberry, salmonberry)
- Whole grains (wheat, corn, rye, brown rice, oats, teff, buckwheat)
- Leafy greens (mustard leaf, sugar beet, spinach, turnip, collard, silverbeet, kale)
- Geluk fruit (almonds, walnuts, cashews, pistachios) and seeds (sunflower seeds, pumpkin, sesame, flax)
- Fruits (especially those with edible skins: pears, apples, peaches, apricots, prunes, plums)
Step 4. Drink citrus fruit juices that contain lots of vitamin C
Vitamin C is important for wound healing and tissue repair. In addition to reducing the risk of liver cancer, eating or drinking citrus fruit juices also helps restore the liver by returning liver enzyme levels to normal levels. Include grapefruit, oranges, lemons, and limes in your diet. If you buy fruit juice, choose products that are added with vitamin C.
Step 5. Eat more Brassicaceae vegetables
Brassicaceae vegetables effectively balance the production of liver enzymes that are important for detoxification. Enzymes that play a role in "phase two of detoxification" are in charge of destroying cancer-causing substances in the body. Brassicaceae vegetables also contain various vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber:
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cauliflower
- Radish
- Horseradish
- Rutabaga and turnip
- Wasabi
- Watercress
Step 6. Talk to your doctor about protein intake
Protein is generally the main element of body tissue repair. So, you may think that protein intake needs to be increased to heal an overworked liver. However, because the liver is responsible for digesting protein, consuming too much protein can actually worsen the condition and increase liver enzyme levels.
Talk to your doctor and/or nutritionist about the amount of protein you need to consume. Your doctor and/or nutritionist can develop a meal plan that best suits your body's needs
Step 7. Keep the body hydrated
Drinking adequate amounts of water helps the liver to get rid of metabolic wastes, thereby easing the workload on the liver. Drink 2-2.5 liters of water per day. Drink water at the following times:
- Right after waking up in the morning.
- Before and after eating.
- Before and after physical activity.
- Right before bed.
Step 8. Do not eat foods that can damage the liver
Healthy food keeps your liver healthy. On the other hand, unhealthy foods damage the liver. Eating foods that contain too much fat, salt, sugar, or oil makes the liver work too hard. If your liver enzyme levels are high, give your liver a break for a while. To lower high liver enzyme levels, avoid the following foods:
- Foods that contain fat, such as lamb, beef, chicken skin, and dishes that use white butter, lard, or vegetable oil.
- Salty foods, such as processed and prepared foods, snacks, such as pretzels and chips, and canned foods.
- Sweet foods, such as cakes, pies and pastries.
- Fried food.
- Raw or undercooked shellfish (contains liver-damaging toxins).
- Alcohol (though not food). As much as possible, do not consume alcohol, especially if you already have liver disease.
Method 3 of 3: Taking Herbs and Supplements
Step 1. Drink herbal teas that are effective in improving liver health
There are many herbs that have long been used to help the liver function. These various herbs have long been used safely even though they have not been widely studied scientifically. In general, most of these herbs are consumed in the form of tea, so dosage rules are often unclear. Follow the instructions listed on the product packaging and consult your doctor about the dosage for the product. The dosages mentioned in this article are a general guide only.
- Silybum marianum. Research shows that Silybum marianum is most effective for treating alcoholic liver disease, liver cirrhosis, and hepatitis. Consume this herb as much as 160-480 mg per day.
- Astragalus. Consume 20–500 mg of Astragalus extract, 3-4 times per day.
- The root of the tread. Fenugreek root is effective in reducing cholesterol levels thereby easing the workload of the liver. Drink randa tread tea as much as 0.5-1 liter (2-4 g of randa tread root) per day.
- Combination formula. There are many products with combination formulas although most have not been clinically tested. Examples of combination formula products include "Liver Detoxifier and Regenerator" produced by NOW, "Deep Liver Support" produced by Gaia Herbs, and "Wild Harvest Milk Thistle Dandelion" produced by Oregon.
- Green tea. Green tea is effective at lowering the risk of liver disease although, in some people, it can also make liver problems worse. Therefore, it's a good idea to consult with your doctor first before starting to consume green tea. Consuming green tea as much as 0.5-1 liter generally can reduce the risk of liver disease.
Step 2. Use garlic and turmeric in cooking
These two herbs not only make dishes more delicious, but also effectively improve liver health. Use at least one of these two herbs every day.
- Garlic also helps reduce the risk of liver cancer and heart disease and boosts the immune system.
- Turmeric contains anti-inflammatory ingredients that are effective in helping the liver function by reducing inflammation that can cause hepatitis, NASH, liver cirrhosis, and liver cancer.
Step 3. Take antioxidant supplements
Although antioxidants can be obtained through food, taking antioxidant supplements is much more effective. Alpha-Lipoic acid (ALA) is an antioxidant that has been studied for its effectiveness in treating diabetes, heart disease, and liver disease. ALA is effective in helping the metabolism of sugar in the liver and preventing alcoholic liver disease. Take 100 mg of ALA supplements, three times per day. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is a precursor to glutathione, the body's main antioxidant. The usual dose of NAC taken to promote liver health is 200–250 mg, twice per day.
- ALA supplements interfere with the performance of diabetes medications. So, discuss with your doctor about the right dosage.
- In some rare cases, taking very high doses of NAC supplements exacerbates elevated liver enzyme levels.
