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What Happens When Your Liver Enzymes Are High?

By Nation Health MD Nov 24, 2024

Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by our experts

Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by our experts

Medically reviewed by 7 min read

Citations 12 citations

what happens when your liver enzymes are high.

What happens when your liver enzymes are high? Elevated liver enzymes signal that your liver may be under stress, impacting its vital roles in detoxification and metabolism. Understanding these indicators is essential for maintaining overall health, as the liver is crucial for processing nutrients and filtering toxins from the body.

Key Article Findings

  • Elevated liver enzymes can signal liver stress, causing symptoms like fatigue and digestive discomfort.
  • Regular monitoring and healthy lifestyle choices can help manage liver enzyme levels.
  • Early action supports liver health and overall well-being.

What Are Liver Enzymes?

Liver enzymes are proteins your liver produces to carry out essential chemical reactions in your body. The most commonly measured liver enzymes are Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST). These enzymes help with breaking down amino acids and processing nutrients.

Monitoring liver enzyme levels is a useful way to check how well your liver is functioning. When liver enzymes are at healthy levels, it’s a sign that your liver is working efficiently. 

What Causes Elevated Liver Enzymes? 

a woman eating a donut while standing in front of an open refrigerator.

Elevated liver enzymes, including elevated AST and ALT, can occur due to various lifestyle, diet, and health factors. Some common causes include:

  • Alcohol Consumption – Regular drinking can stress your liver, leading to higher enzyme levels.
  • Unhealthy Diet – Eating processed foods and unhealthy fats makes your liver work harder to filter toxins and process nutrients.
  • Excess Weight – Carrying extra pounds puts additional pressure on your liver, potentially raising AST and ALT levels.
  • Lack of Physical Activity – Not getting enough exercise can impact liver function since regular movement supports optimal liver performance.
  • Over-the-Counter Products – Using certain products, including some herbal supplements, might influence liver enzyme levels if used excessively or without proper guidance.
  • Other Health Factors – Various health conditions can affect liver enzyme levels as your liver responds to different demands in your body.

What Happens When Liver Enzymes are High?

So, what happens when your liver enzymes are high? In essence, high liver enzymes can indicate that your liver is under stress, releasing more enzymes into the bloodstream than normal. This increase can affect how efficiently your liver performs essential tasks, such as filtering toxins and aiding digestion. Elevated liver enzyme levels are a signal that your liver may require support to function optimally, and monitoring these levels can help address potential issues early.

Support balanced liver enzyme levels with Liver Renew

If your liver enzymes high, simple lifestyle adjustments can support liver health and help manage enzyme levels. Here are a few tips to consider:

  • Eat a Balanced Diet – Focus on whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, to reduce strain on your liver.
  • Limit Alcohol – Reducing alcohol intake can prevent further stress on the liver and help maintain healthy enzyme levels.
  • Stay Hydrated – Drinking plenty of water supports liver detoxification and overall function.
  • Exercise Regularly – Gentle, regular exercise promotes circulation and aids in liver health.
  • Consider Liver Renew This supplement offers nutrients like turmeric and milk thistle, which may support liver health and enzyme balance.

Incorporating lifestyle changes can make a significant difference in liver health, but understanding how supplements like Liver Renew can promote liver function may provide additional support. Liver Renew from Nation Health MD combines natural nutrients like Silymarin from Milk Thistle, which helps shield liver cells and supports antioxidant production.

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Liver Renew

Liver Renew supports your liver’s 500+ vital functions, helping detoxify toxins, improve digestion, and fuel fat-burning metabolism for sustained energy and vitality. Packed with nine powerful natural ingredients like Turmeric, Milk Thistle, and Artichoke, this premium formula promotes liver health, aids nutrient absorption, and enhances overall well-being.

Try it Now

Liver Renew

Liver Renew supports your liver’s 500+ vital functions, helping detoxify toxins, improve digestion, and fuel fat-burning metabolism for sustained energy and vitality. Packed with nine powerful natural ingredients like Turmeric, Milk Thistle, and Artichoke, this premium formula promotes liver health, aids nutrient absorption, and enhances overall well-being.

4.9

1259

Try it Now

Liver Renew

4.9

1259

Liver Renew supports your liver’s 500+ vital functions, helping detoxify toxins, improve digestion, and fuel fat-burning metabolism for sustained energy and vitality. Packed with nine powerful natural ingredients like Turmeric, Milk Thistle, and Artichoke, this premium formula promotes liver health, aids nutrient absorption, and enhances overall well-being.

Try it Now

Turmeric, rich in Curcumin, defends against free radicals and promotes healthy enzyme levels, supporting both detoxification and immune health. Artichoke also assists liver function by helping to keep balanced liver enzymes. Together, these ingredients make Liver Renew a helpful addition to a liver-supportive routine.

Symptoms to Watch For

When liver enzymes are elevated, certain symptoms may suggest your liver is under strain:

  • Digestive Discomfort Bloating, nausea, or occasional loss of appetite.
  • Fatigue – Feeling unusually tired, as reduced liver efficiency can affect energy levels.
  • Respiratory Symptoms – Shortness of breath or a persistent dry cough, which may occur as liver stress impacts overall vitality.

While these symptoms don’t always directly indicate liver issues, being aware of them can help you recognize when your liver might need extra support.

How Elevated Liver Enzymes Are Diagnosed

a doctor reviewing a medical form with a patient at a desk.

Elevated liver enzymes are typically detected through a blood test, often part of a routine health checkup. The test measures levels of enzymes like AST and ALT in your bloodstream, which can indicate how well your liver is functioning. If levels are higher than normal, it may suggest that your liver is under stress or experiencing strain.

Regular monitoring of liver enzyme levels can be beneficial, especially if you have risk factors or lifestyle habits that affect liver health. By keeping track of these levels, you and your healthcare provider can take early steps to support your liver.

Conclusion

Understanding what happens when your liver enzymes are high is essential for managing liver health. Elevated liver enzymes can indicate that your liver is under stress, leading to symptoms like fatigue, digestive discomfort, and sometimes respiratory issues.

Making lifestyle adjustments, regularly monitoring enzyme levels, and considering supplements like Liver Renew can help support your liver’s functions. Regular testing offers insight into liver health and allows for early action if enzyme levels increase. Taking these proactive steps can help keep your liver balanced and functioning well for overall well-being.

What does it mean if my liver enzymes are elevated?

Elevated liver enzymes may indicate that the liver is under stress or experiencing an imbalance. This could be due to lifestyle factors or other influences, and it’s often recommended to support liver function through a balanced diet and healthy habits.

How can I support healthy liver enzyme levels?

You can support healthy liver enzyme levels by reducing alcohol intake, maintaining a nutrient-rich diet, and staying hydrated. Foods rich in antioxidants, like leafy greens and berries, can also promote liver health.

Are there natural ways to maintain liver function?

Yes, incorporating ingredients like turmeric, milk thistle, and dandelion root may support liver health and promote optimal enzyme levels. These natural supports can be part of a balanced approach to liver wellness.

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