What You'll Learn Here:
The human liver contains thousands of enzymes, which are special types of protein cells that help necessary chemical reactions to take place. Liver enzymes trigger activity in the body’s cells, speeding up and facilitating naturally occurring biochemical reactions, and maintaining various metabolic processes within the liver.
A wide range of health problems can lead to elevated liver enzymes.
Some common causes include:
- Adrenal insufficiency (inadequate levels of hormones released by the adrenal gland)
- Alcohol abuse
- Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (a disorder caused by defective production of the glycoprotein alpha-1-antitrypsin)
- Autoimmune disorders of the liver and bile ducts, such as autoimmune hepatitis
- Celiac disease
- Elevated triglycerides (fat tissues)
- Excessive use of certain herbal supplements, such as comfrey, kava, pennyroyal, and skullcap
- Hepatic steatosis and steatohepatitis, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
- Infections such as viral hepatitis and mononucleosis
- Medications including certain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, cholesterol-lowering medications, antibiotics, anti-seizure medications, and acetaminophen
- Metabolic liver disease such as hemochromatosis and Wilson’s disease
- Muscle disorders
- Thyroid disorders
- Tumors of the liver or bile ducts
Lowering your elevated liver enzymes – naturally
Dr. Jim Steigerwalt (AKA Dr. Jim) conducted an independent, unsolicited clinical trial on Puristat Colon and Liver Cleanse programs. Dr. Jim had elevated liver enzymes that seemed irreversible. The results of the trials for Dr. Jim and his patients have been life-altering and life-saving. Here’s what the doctor had to say about his experiences with Puristat….
“I cannot swear that Puristat is the only reason my liver (lower liver enzymes) has healed, but it would have to be one heck of a coincidence if it wasn’t in large part because of Puristat!!” ~ Dr. Jim Steigerwalt, aka Dr. Jim, retired hematologist
In 2000, after having taken the medication methotrexate, Dr. Jim’s liver became damaged. He was told there was little that could be done for him. Dr. Jim decided to set up clinical trials to test Puristat’s Liver Detoxification program on himself and others with liver damage.
After completing Puristat’s program, Dr. Jim had his liver re-tested. His eight-year struggle to restore his liver had finally ended; he received a letter from Geisinger Health System in Danville, Pennsylvania, stating that while they could not explain why, his liver had returned to its healthy state.
“I had a problem because of taking methotrexate; it did some damage to my liver. My liver enzyme readings, specifically transaminase and LDH, were twice the level they ought to have been. After the Puristat detoxification, my liver enzyme levels returned to normal. Now I’m up at the crack of dawn, jumping up and down off of my tractor all day long!”
“My results cannot be fully explained medically and, therefore, this type of treatment is not accepted wholeheartedly by the medical community. However, several physicians at Johns Hopkins and I have reviewed all the results, and everything is normal. Some of the liver specialists at Johns Hopkins, while not flag-waving supporters of detoxification, admit that there’s something to it.”
“Often, simple dietary changes and herbal cleanses – along with probiotic supplements to replace the natural bacteria you’re going to be wiping out through cleansing – can yield dramatic health results.”
“The beauty of Puristat’s Liver Detoxification program is that it is simple to use. Compared to some of the others I considered – whose instructions read like a legal brief – Puristat is a breeze.”
“Along with Puristat’s Liver Detoxification, I cleansed my colon by way of diet – salads, roughage, and that sort of thing. But some people find exclusively diet-centered cleansing extremely difficult. I believe most people would find it easier to do a Puristat cleanse rather than messing around with food detoxes. I’m very excited by the possibilities of future trials.”
Liver enzyme functions
An elevated liver enzyme reading may be an indication of a liver disorder, damage to liver cells, or an obstruction to the biliary tract (also known as the gallbladder and bile ducts).
This list of enzymes and their functions outlines possible indications when elevated amounts of liver enzymes are detected:
- Alanine transaminase (ALT): An enzyme that helps metabolize protein. When the liver is damaged, ALT is released in the bloodstream. An increase in ALT levels may indicate hepatocellular disease, active cirrhosis, metastatic liver tumor, infection or toxic hepatitis, severe burns, pancreatitis, myocardial infarction (heart attack), trauma, severe burns, acute hemolytic anemia, crushing injuries, gangrene, or shock.1
- Alkaline phosphatase (ALP): An enzyme needed in small amounts to trigger specific chemical reactions. Normally present in the liver, bone, kidney, and intestine, higher than normal levels may indicate disorders as common as gallstone disease, alcohol abuse, and drug-induced hepatitis, or in less common disorders, such as primary biliary cirrhosis or biliary tumors.2
- Aspartate transaminase (AST): This enzyme plays a role in the metabolism of the amino acid alanine. An increase in AST levels may indicate hepatocellular disease, active cirrhosis, metastatic liver tumor, infection or toxic hepatitis, severe burns, pancreatitis, myocardial infarction (heart attack), trauma, severe burns, acute hemolytic anemia, crushing injuries, gangrene, or shock.3
- Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT): The GGT enzyme plays a role in metabolism, specifically in the transference of certain chemical groups from one molecule to another. Higher than normal levels may indicate liver or bile duct injury.
- Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH): An enzyme found in blood and body tissues, LDH is involved in energy production in cells. Elevated levels of LDH may indicate liver damage.
Elevated liver enzymes – further testing
Having elevated liver enzymes is not an indication of a specific liver disease.
And while it is not uncommon to have elevated liver enzymes, in order to determine the underlying cause, additional tests are usually necessary including…
- Physical Examination
- CAT scan (computed axial tomography)
- Liver Biopsy
- Liver Blood tests
There is much you can do to help lower your elevated liver enzymes naturally, including dietary changes, herbal cleanses and probiotic supplementation. Like Dr. Jim, we hope you do all you can to improve your liver enzymes, your health and that you live a long and prosperous life!