liver-enzymes Liver Care, This has a lot of information, but I know nothing about the products

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liver-enzymes Liver Care

Elevated Liver Enzymes

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What are liver enzymes or aminotransferases?What are normal levels of AST and ALT?What do elevated AST and ALT mean?What liver diseases cause high liver enzyme levels?What medications cause abnormal liver enzyme levels?What are the treatment options for high liver enzymes?

What are liver enzymes or aminotransferases?An initial step in detecting liver damage is a simple blood test to determine the presence of certain liver enzymes in the blood. Under normal circumstances, these enzymes reside within the cells of the liver. But when the liver is injured, these enzymes are spilled into the blood stream, raising the enzyme levels in the blood and signaling liver damage. Among the most sensitive and widely used of these liver enzymes are the aminotransferases. They include aspartate aminotransferase (AST or SGOT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT or SGPT).

Another name for aminotransferase is transaminase. The enzyme aspartate aminotransferase (AST) is also known as serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT); and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is also known as serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT). To put matters briefly, AST = SGOT and ALT = SGPT.

What are normal levels of AST and ALT?The normal range of values for AST (SGOT) is from 5 to 40 units per liter of serum (the liquid part of the blood). The normal range of values for ALT (SGPT) is from 7 to 56 units per liter of serum.

What do elevated AST and ALT mean?AST (SGOT) and ALT (SGPT) are sensitive indicators of liver damage from different types of disease. In rare cases, higher-than-normal levels of these liver enzymes may have causes other than liver problems. The interpretation of elevated AST and ALT levels depends upon the whole clinical picture. The precise levels of these enzymes do not correlate well with the extent of liver damage or the prognosis. Thus, the exact levels of AST (SGOT) and ALT (SGPT) cannot be used to determine the degree of liver disease or predict the future. For example, patients with acute viral hepatitis may develop very high AST and ALT levels (sometimes in the thousands of units/liter range). But most patients with acute viral hepatitis A recover fully without residual liver disease.

What liver diseases cause high liver enzyme levels?The highest levels of AST and ALT are found with disorders that cause the death of numerous liver cells (extensive hepatic necrosis). This occurs in such conditions as acute viral hepatitis A or B, pronounced liver damage inflicted by toxins as from an overdose of acetaminophen (Tylenol), and prolonged collapse of the circulatory system when the liver is deprived of fresh blood bringing oxygen and nutrients. AST and ALT serum levels in these situations can range anywhere from ten times the upper limits of normal to thousands of units/liter.

The most common cause of mild to moderate elevations of these liver enzymes is fatty liver. In the United States, the most frequent cause of fatty liver is alcohol abuse. Other causes of fatty liver include diabetes mellitus and obesity. Chronic hepatitis C is also becoming an important cause of mild to moderate liver enzyme elevations.

What medications cause abnormal liver enzyme levels?A host of medications can cause abnormal liver enzymes levels. Examples include: -- Pain relief medications such as aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), neproxen (Narosyn), diclofenac (Voltaren), and phenybutazone (Butazolidine) -- Anti-seizure medications such as phenytoin (Dilantin), valproic acid, carbamazepine (Tegretol), and phenobarbital -- Antibiotics such as the tetracyclines, sulfonamides, isoniazid (INH), sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, nitrofurantoin -- Cholesterol lowering drugs such as the "statins" (Mevacor, Pravachol, Lipitor, etc.) and niacin -- Cardiovascular drugs such as amiodarone (Cordarone), hydralazine, quinidine, etc. -- Anti-depressant drugs of the tricyclic type

What are the treatment options for high liver enzymes?Evaluation of healthy patients with abnormal liver enzymes needs to be individualized. If alcohol or prescription drugs are responsible for the abnormal liver enzyme levels, stopping alcohol or the medication (under a doctor's supervision) should help. If obesity is suspected as the cause of fatty liver, weight reduction of 5% to 10% should also bring the liver enzyme levels to normal or near normal levels. If abnormal liver enzymes persist despite abstinence from alcohol, weight reduction and stopping certain suspected drugs, blood tests can be performed to help diagnose treatable liver diseases. The blood can be tested for the presence of hepatitis B and C virus and their related antibodies.

Two products that are highly effective and recommended in case of elevated liver enzymes are the world's #1 selling liver formula Liv-52 and Milk Thistle (Silymarin). The top-selling liver support formula, Liv-52, can be ordered on this page.

Top-selling product for high liver enzymes problem:

Liv-52 was introduced in 1955. Since then, it has been sold worldwide and is recognized by over 200,000 health professionals as one of the most effective liver formulas, with beneficial effects reported in over 276 research studies on a variety of cases.

Liv-52 is clinically proven to decrease elevated liver enzymes and improve the architecture of the liver. Hepatic function tests and needle biopsy specimens demonstrate a definite improvement in hepatocellular function and structure. Liv-52 treatment ensures an increase in the number of the total mass of functioning hepatocytes. The liver enzymes return to normal levels with an increase in total proteins, albumin and hemoglobin after treatment with Liv-52.

Liv-52 ensures optimum liver function through the protection of the hepatic parenchyma, and by way of its potent antioxidant properties, it acts as a powerful detoxification agent. Liv-52 neutralizes all kind of toxins and poisons from food, water, air and medications, all sources of detrimental effects on the liver. Alcohol users in partucular find Liv-52 helpful in maintaining a healthier liver. It also helps those taking pharmaceutical drugs to protect themselves against the damaging side effects on the liver. In elevated liver enzymes cases, beneficial effects have been demonstrated in several clinical trials.

Research on Liv-52

Validated by 276 clinical trials and research studies. Endorsed by over 200,000 healthcare professionals. Approximately 2 billion tablets and 13 million syrup bottles of Liv-52 are sold every year worldwide. See photosFor complete research on clininal trials, experimental papers, and studies on Liv-52's effect on various forms of liver conditions, visit the Liv-52 Research Page.

Liv-52 in the News:

Himalaya's Liv-52 approved as an herbal drug for liver in Switzerland by its FDA equivalent. It is believed to be the first multi-herb remedy granted regulatory approval as a drug, which is an outstanding feat for an herbal product. Read more

Liv-52 - One of 13 herbal formulas included in the ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs. Read more

Journal of American Botanical Council, HerbalGram, publishes research review on Liv-52's beneficial effect in Liver Cirrhosis. Read more

Award-winning author of New York Times bestsellers, Nutrition expert and celebrity, Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D., C.N.S., recommends Liv-52 for a variety of liver problems. Read more

International Journal of Phytotherapy & Phytopharmacology, Phytomedicine publishes the clinical study on how Liv-52 "was found to be effective" in protecting and restoring the liver. Read more

America's beauty and lifestyle expert, Kat , whose advice features in Ophra's magazine 'O', Vogue, Glamour, and whose clients include celebrities like and Kate Hudson, speaks on how Liv-52 helped her with her own life threatening liver disease. Read more

Himalaya celebrates 75 years developing pharmaceutical-grade herbal formulations. Read more

Liv-52 comes in kosher certified clear and easy-to-swallow vegi-capsules that do not have any odor or taste. The new formula uses our proprietary herbal extract formulation process that increases concentration of active constituents and results in higher bioavailability. Suitable for vegetarians.

Liv.52 - Liver support formula (90 vegi-capsules)

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$18.95

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$27.95

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In stock. Ships the same business day

Buy 3 at $17.95 each - Save $30.00 (36%off)Buy 6 at $16.95 each - Save $66.00 (39%off)Buy 12 at $15.95 each - Save $144.00 (43%off)

SIZEAvailable in a pack of 90 vegi-capsules. Does not contain added sugar, salt, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Suitable for vegetarians.

SUGGESTED USETwo vegi-capsules twice daily. Allow several weeks for full benefits. The use of natural products provides progressive but long-lasting results.

SIDE EFFECTSNone

DRUG INTERACTIONSNone

CONTRAINDICATIONSNone

Main Ingredients

The main ingredients in LiverCare/Liv.52 are:

Capers (Latin name: Capparis spinosa)Caper is a hepatic stimulant that have been used for improving the functional efficiency of the liver. Recent experimental studies also confirm its protective action on the histological architecture of the liver and the positive effects on liver glycogen and serum proteins.

Chicory (Latin name: Cichorium intybus) Chicory is a powerful hepatic stimulant which increases bile secretion, promotes digestion and enhances the action of Capers. Experimental evidence has been obtained of its effect on liver glycogen and recent studies have shown the inhibition of free radical induced DNA damage.

Black Nightshade (Latin name: Solanum nigrum)The Black Nightshade plant and its berries contain various alkaloids that have been isolated and shown to have a dilating effect on the pupil. The main use, however, is to support a healthy liver, skin, kidneys and bladder. The most recent studies indicate that the hepatoprotective effect of the crude extract of Black Nightshade may be due to the suppression of the oxidative degradation of DNA.

Arjuna (Latin name: Terminalia arjuna)Arjuna is a heart tonic that has been used to support cardiovascular functions since ancient times when it was discovered to have cardio-protective benefits. Recent studies have investigated the mechanism of this activity and has shown a dose-dependent regulation of blood pressure and heart rate. There was also a slight increase in the HDL-to-total cholesterol ratio and an overall improvement in the cardiovascular profile.

Negro Coffee (Latin name: Cassia occidentalis) Negro Coffee has been traditionally used to promote normal bowel movements. It is a cousin species of Senna, a known and stronger purgative. Despite its name (which comes from its occasional use as a coffee substitute), Negro Coffee is absolutely unrelated to coffee.

Yarrow (Latin name: Achillea millefolium) Yarrow has been traditionally used for support of the digestive and urinary functions. Its constitutents have been extensively studied and found to be of value as an alterative, diuretic, and tonic for the venous system. Additionally, Yarrow has been known to have a healing and soothing effect on the mucous membranes. It has been shown effective in regulating gastric and bile secretions.

Tamarisk (Latin name: Tamarix gallica) Tamarisk, sometimes referred to as Saltcedar, has been traditionally used as a tonic and diuretic. It contains an alkaloid, Tamarixin, that has been linked to its effectiveness in conditions associated with hepatic insufficiency. There are indications that Tamarisk is also helpful in increasing platelet counts.

SCIENTIFIC VALIDATIONLiv.52 has been scientifically validated by many clinical studies. Its formula has been subjected to the modern scrutiny of clinical testing to prove its benefits in gently addressing your health concerns, and its quality is controlled by the most sophisticated chromatographic "fingerprinting" techniques.

How are healthy people evaluated for mild to moderate rises in aminotransferase levels?Evaluation of healthy patients with abnormal liver enzymes needs to be individualized. A doctor may ask for blood test data from old records for comparison. If no old records are available, the doctor may repeat blood tests in weeks to months to see whether these abnormalities persist. The doctor will search for risk factors for hepatitis B and C including sexual exposures, history of blood transfusions, injectable drug use, and occupational exposure to blood products. A family history of liver disease may raise the possibility of inherited diseases such as hemachromatosis, 's disease, or alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency.

The pattern of liver enzyme abnormalities can provide useful clues to the cause of the liver disease. For example, the majority of patients with alcoholic liver disease have enzyme levels that are not as high as the levels reached with acute viral hepatitis and the AST tends to be above the ALT. Thus, in alcoholic liver disease, AST is usually under 300 units/liter while the ALT is usually under 100 units/ liter.

If alcohol or medication is responsible for the abnormal liver enzyme levels, stopping alcohol or the medication (under a doctor's supervision only) should bring the enzyme levels to normal or near normal levels in weeks to months. If obesity is suspected as the cause of fatty liver, weight reduction of 5% to 10% should also bring the liver enzyme levels to normal or near normal levels.

If abnormal liver enzymes persist despite abstinence from alcohol, weight reduction and stopping certain suspected drugs, blood tests can be performed to help diagnose treatable liver diseases. The blood can be tested for the presence of hepatitis B and C virus and their related antibodies. Blood levels of iron, iron saturation, and ferritin (another measure of the amount of iron stored in the body) are usually elevated in patients with hemachromatosis. Blood levels of a substance called ceruloplasmin are usually decreased inpatients with 's disease. Blood levels of certain antibodies (anti-nuclear antibody or ANA, anti-smooth muscle antibody, and anti-liver and kidney microsome antibody) are elevated in patients with autoimmune hepatitis.

Ultrasound and CAT scan of the abdomen are sometimes used to exclude tumors in the liver or other conditions such as gallstones or tumors obstructing the ducts that drain the liver.

Liver biopsy is a procedure where a needle is inserted through the skin over the right upper abdomen to obtain a thin strand of liver tissue to be examined under a microscope. The procedure is oftentimes performed after ultrasound study has located the liver. Not everybody with abnormal liver enzymes needs a liver biopsy. The doctor will usually recommend this procedure if 1) the information obtained from the liver biopsy will likely be helpful in planning treatment, 2) the doctor needs to know the extent and severity of liver inflammation/damage, or 3) to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment.

Liver biopsy is most useful in confirming a diagnosis of a potentially treatable condition. These potentially treatable liver diseases include chronic hepatitis B and C, hemachromatosis, 's disease, autoimmune hepatitis, and alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency.

How about monitoring liver enzyme levels?What is usually most helpful is serial testing of AST (SGOT) and ALT (SGPT) over time to determine whether the levels are going up, staying stable, or going down. For example, patients undergoing treatment for chronic hepatitis C should be monitored with serial liver enzyme tests. Those responding to treatment will experience lowering of liver enzyme levels to normal or near normal levels. Those who develop relapse of hepatitis C after completion of treatment will usually develop abnormal liver enzyme levels again.

LiverCare / Liv-52 Milestones :

More than 300 clinical studies, many double-blind, placebo-controlled, have been performed on LiverCare /Liv-52 since its introduction in 1955. Since then, it has become one of the most widely sold medications in the world and endorsed by over 200,000 healthcare professionals.

In what is believed to be the first herbal remedy granted regulatory approval as a drug, LiverCare / Liv-52 has recently been registered a safe and effective drug by the "Intercantonal Office for the Control of Medicines," Switzerland's equivalent of the United States' FDA.

Know your Liver:

Liver is the biggest and the most complex organ in the body with more than 500 functions

The liver is an "incredible chemical factory," producing many important chemical compounds needed to survive, such as bile, albumin, blood clotting factors, cholesterol, Vitamin E.

Converts amino acids (proteins) and lipids into glucose, a complex process catalyzed by a series of enzymes

Plays a major role in maintaining normal blood sugar levels, an important source of energy for the brain, heart and muscles.

Performs numerous other functions such as regulating lipids or metabolizing prescribed and over the counter drugs, alcohol, and many other ingested chemicals such as caffeine, etc.

Helps digest the food we eat and assists in ridding our body of many toxins.

Eliminates various harmful chemicals from the body. Treats about 1,300 ml of blood per minute, thereby acting as the body's "garbage disposal."

Liver dysfunctions may take many forms

4,000,000 people have Hepatitis C in the United States, causing 10,000 deaths every year.

Cirrhosis of the liver is the eighth leading cause of death in the United States - kills 25,000 people per year.

Commonly prescribed cholesterol-lowering medications such as statins (e.g. Lipitor), among many other chemical drugs, are known to be toxic to the liver.

Widely taken OTC medications are not as safe as they seem. For example, Acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) can be toxic to the liver and its toxicity can be accentuated by alcohol.

The American Journal of Emergency Medicine, notes that in one year, hospitals treated over 26,765 patients for alcohol toxicity and another 16,635 for Acetaminophen (Tylenol) toxicity.

Fatigue, aches, and pain in joints and muscles, frequent headaches, stress and appetite fluctuations may be signs of an over-worked liver.

This page was printed from the Herbal-Provider.com website. If you have more questions, or if you would like to place an order, please visit our website or call us at 1-800-845-3841. Thank you.