Elevated liver enzymes can be an indication that the cells in your liver have been damaged or are suffering some kind of inflammation. There are many different liver enzymes, but the most common ones found in testing are alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate transaminase, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. When it comes to both high liver enzymes causes and treatment there can be a lot to take in and wrap your head around. However, today we are simply looking at some causes for high liver enzymes as well as some of the available treatments to help take care of them.

The Most Common Causes of High Liver Enzymes

Here we will look at the most common causes of liver enzymes. Please make sure you consult with a doctor if you have any concerns about your health.

• NAFLD: This stands for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. You have most likely heard heavy drinkers say that their liver "takes a pounding” or some other such silly statement. However light drinkers can (or non-drinkers) develop liver disease, too. In fact, NAFLD is the most likely reason for a non-drinker or light drinker to develop issues with elevated liver enzymes. NAFLD occurs when your liver cells are storing far too much fat.

• Alcohol: Drinking a lot of alcohol causes your liver to work overtime, or "take a beating,” as a heavy drinker might joke. Because your liver has a much harder time dealing with alcohol than it does water, juice, or even something like Pepsi, excessive consumption of alcohol can have a drastically negative effect on your liver.

• Medication: We are talking about both prescription and standard over the counter medication here. For example, you might be taking a medication like paracetamol for a headache. However, this and other types of medication can put a lot of stress on the liver and cause problems with increased liver enzymes. It is certainly something to keep an eye on. Liver damage is one of the reasons so many medications have strict dosage limits.

• Viral Hepatitis: Hepatitis A, B, and C will usually result in issues with liver enzymes. The different types of hepatitis can cause liver inflammation, which is what causes the increase in liver enzymes.

• Autoimmune Hepatitis: With autoimmune hepatitis, your very own immune system starts a war with your liver. This overactive immune system leads to inflammation of the liver and a much higher count of liver enzymes. This can result in all kinds of issues such as abdominal pain and fatigue, to name just a couple.

• Wilson Disease: Simply put, Wilson disease is when copper accumulates in the brain and the liver. This extra copper in the liver leads to all kinds of problems, including, of course, a much higher count of liver enzymes. Wilson disease is actually a rather rare disease and should be diagnosed as soon as possible.

Best Tips for Lowering High Liver Enzymes

There are some methods that you can implement to lower your high liver enzymes. While these are ways that you can lower them yourself, you will need to speak with a doctor for an actual cure. Your doctor will advise you on what is best for you.

• Cut Back on Alcohol: When you research high liver enzymes causes and treatment, cutting back on alcohol is something that will always be suggested. Actually, cutting back on alcohol may not be enough. You should try your best to cut it out altogether. It will make your liver very relieved to have some relief from having to process alcohol.

• Understand Your Medication: Most medication (both OTC and prescription-based) will have some kind of side effect. Look at the packaging, take only the recommended dose, and make sure that you consult with your doctor. Ask for their opinion about what medication is ok and what medication you should avoid.

• Watch What Your Body Is Exposed to: In an ideal world, our bodies would only ever encounter natural products, but that is actually rarely the case. The fact of the matter is that things like body spray, cleaning products, and paint all contain chemicals or toxins that can have a negative effect on your liver. Keep an eye on what you are exposing your body to.

• Limit the Processed Food You Eat: Processed food is one of those things that is super convenient, tasty, and also much cheaper than organic food. However, processed food can cause problems and result in an increase in your liver enzymes. Eating fresh and organic foods instead of processed will help flush and cleanse your liver.

• Herbs Can Help: One of the most interesting ways that you can lower your high liver enzymes is with the help of herbs. People underestimate how hard their liver works, especially if they do not watch what they eat and drink. However, by eating herbs like dandelion and milk thistle, you are helping your liver bring down liver enzymes and give it a bit of a rest.

Many of us take our liver for granted. It is not until we start to feel under the weather that we take our liver seriously and appreciate how important it is. It is much easier to learn about high liver enzymes causes and treatment based on the above information. Now you know some steps you can take to help those liver enzymes get back to normal. If you still have concerns about your liver, please be sure to consult with your doctor.