Lower liver values
Carola Felchner is a freelance writer in the medical department and a certified training and nutrition advisor. She worked for various specialist magazines and online portals before becoming a freelance journalist in 2015. Before starting her internship, she studied translation and interpreting in Kempten and Munich.
More about the experts All content is checked by medical journalists.More people probably need to lower their liver values than is generally assumed. According to the German Liver Foundation, many of the more than five million people in Germany with a sick liver do not know anything about it. Because the liver suffers in silence. Read here which risk factors there are for which one should lower the liver values and with which house and food the liver values can be lowered.
When to lower liver values is advisable
You should always lower elevated liver values and / or improve bad liver values if certain blood values, which are released from the liver cells into the blood in the event of liver damage, are outside the normal range. Four enzymes in particular are determined for this purpose in laboratory tests and are detectable in increased concentrations in liver diseases or disorders:
- GOT (glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, also known as AST),
- GPT (glutamate pyruvate transaminase or ALT),
- AP (alkaline phosphatase) and
- Gamma-GT (GGT; gamma glutamyl transferase).
The best known is the Gamma GT value.It should be lowered if it climbs over 60 U / l in men and over 40 U / l in women. It is a very sensitive measurement parameter because it reacts to virtually every liver stimulus and therefore increases even with the slightest stress on the liver.
Why lower the liver values?
The liver is an important key point in the body's metabolism, which is why the motto is: Lower disturbed liver values such as Gamma GT! Otherwise the disturbances can be far-reaching and have serious consequences. Since the liver is, among other things, a storage organ, a lot of fatty acids accumulate over time if too many of them are permanently circulating in the blood. The overfilled liver cells eventually die, the liver scars and can function less and less. This so-called fatty liver can lead to liver cirrhosis or even liver cancer, among other things.
Lower liver values - avoid risk factors
Only those who drink alcohol run the risk of damaging their liver? This is a common misconception. Medicines, such as supposedly “harmless” pain relievers, can also damage the liver in the long term. In addition to drugs and alcohol, other risk factors for liver disease are also large, fatty food and being overweight in general - all of these can also promote the development of fatty liver. But what should you do if you have elevated liver values? Diet in particular is an important factor in lowering liver values.
Lower liver values: nutrition
The good news for people with elevated liver values: the liver can repair itself. Liver values can be lowered and kept under control through a healthy diet. There is no specific liver diet. A diet based on the principles of the German Nutrition Society (DGE) is considered to be particularly liver-friendly - and you should stick to this anyway for a healthy life.
For an adult of normal weight this means: The required approximately 2,000 kilocalories per day should be made up as follows:
- around 55 percent carbohydrates
- 15 percent protein
- 30 percent (healthy) fats (omega-3 and -6, medium-chain triglycerides / MTC, e.g. coconut oil, which can be processed without bile acid and fat-splitting enzymes)
Lower liver values: Avoidance of liver-unfriendly food
Many studies suggest that the "Western diet" with little fiber, a lot of fat and sugar is not particularly liver-friendly. Therefore, make sure you have sufficient energy and nutrient intake, especially enough protein, vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates from whole grain products, vegetables and fruit.
Anyone who is overweight should lose weight to relieve the liver. High-fiber foods help bind and eliminate toxins in the intestines.
In the event of liver damage, alcohol should be completely avoided in order to lower the liver values. Even those who do not have elevated liver values would do well to follow the usual recommendations for alcohol consumption, i.e. no more than 40 grams of alcohol per day (e.g. one liter of beer) for men and 20 grams for women.
Foods that lower liver values
While alcohol, animal fats, sugar, flavor enhancers, preservatives and colorings are troublesome for the liver, there are also many foods that can help lower liver values:
Water and herbal tea (at least 2 liters per day)
The alcohol-free and sugar-free liquid supports the liver in its work.
coffee
Participants in one study who drank at least three cups of coffee a day were 20 to 30 percent less likely to have high liver values than participants who did not drink coffee. This also applied to decaffeinated coffee. Coffee, consumed in moderation, could help lower liver values.
Dark chocolate (0.55 grams per kg / body weight)
It is supposed to reduce the vascular pressure in the abdomen and thereby relieve the liver.
Endive salad, Brussels sprouts and other bitter vegetables
The bitter substances stimulate the production of bile so that fats are processed more quickly. This relieves the liver.
Low-fat fish (redfish, plaice, haddock) and meats (chicken, lean ham)
Reduces the amount of (unsaturated) fatty acids in the blood. This reduces the risk that excess will settle in the liver cells.
Lower liver values: home remedies
In addition to a full-fledged diet, there are some home remedies and corresponding preparations with which lowering liver values should be made easier. There are studies that suggest that the following agents have a beneficial effect on the liver. However, they are usually not scientifically proven.
artichoke
The ingredients cynarin and cynaridin are supposed to repair damaged liver cells and stimulate the flow of bile. Available as fruit, juice or in tablet form.
Milk thistle
It contains silymarin, which is said to promote the regeneration of liver cells and strengthen the liver. As a tea or in the form of various preparations (pharmacy).
sage
Its bitter substances in the form of tea are said to strengthen the liver and prevent fat storage in its cells.
Hay flower
As a bath or wrap, it is supposed to support the liver.
Fresh juices
Freshly squeezed lemon juice neutralizes acids and thus helps the liver. Pineapple and grape juice also support the organ. Carrot juice is said to be helpful in the regeneration of the liver and thus also in lowering liver values.
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