Non alcoholic liver disease advice

[CrystalFlower]

Hi, 50 years old. I’m a vegetarian and I have never had alcohol in my life however my liver levels are slightly raised which consultant suggests it’s early onset of non alcoholic liver disease. Has anyone else got any advice on this type of liver disease and what you can take to help in some way? Are there certain things/vitamins I have to avoid from making this worse as I already don’t drink alcohol or eat fatty meats just trying to get advice. Just worried. Does it lower life span? Worried sick. Thank you in advance

How did you get this information from your Consultant? If from the Consultant the self, did you ask them these questions? If not, is there any management plan or not deemed necessary?

Slightly raised doesn't sound too concerning, but is there a reason it wS your consultant rather than a GP that gave you this news? The normal route would be GP and if he was concerned then further tests. If you are already under the care of a consultant , then you need to ask him/her as your other health issues might have triggered raised liver enzymes.

Is it non alcoholic fatty liver disease? If so and if you're overweight it's usually reversible with weight loss.

@WibbleyWobble

Slightly raised doesn't sound too concerning, but is there a reason it wS your consultant rather than a GP that gave you this news? The normal route would be GP and if he was concerned then further tests. If you are already under the care of a consultant , then you need to ask him/her as your other health issues might have triggered raised liver enzymes.

The professional who does the test gives the result so if the scan was requested a consultant then they give the result

Yes, but if it was a consultant rather than a GP, why did the consultant order the test? Are you going through other treatment and so under the care of a consultant? Other health issues may result in liver issues? (I don't know, just surmising). I do know that various medications impact on your liver enzymes. Are you on any other medication?

Hello, thank you for all your comments. I’m 10 stone UK 5’5, not over weight. I have been getting pains in upper abdomen which is what prompted the tests to be done. Diabetes and hepatitis has already been ruled out with the liver tests as they cover everything in one go. They said I have to go every 4 months to check if the liver levels continue to rise. Im not on any medication just starpower multi vitamins and occasionally evening primrose or starflower oil capsules Holland and Barrett. Just wondering if anyone else has this and what tips to avoid as my consultant just stated don’t drink alcohol, maintain a good weight and don’t eat a lot of processed meats but I am a vegetarian so that’s not a worry just wondering if anyone else has this and other tips I can have. Thank you 😊

I am similar to you - not overweight/very rarely drink/haven't eaten red meat since I was a child. I also have raised levels which has been picked-up over the past twenty years. Nobody is sure of the cause but don't seem too concerned. I have started to take milk thistle on and off as it is supposed to clean the liver.

Slightly raised liver enzyme levels are usually no cause for concern, and certainly not indicative of NAFLD on their own. I echo PPs here, is there anything else going on health-wise that has led your consultant to this conclusion?

I had alcoholic fatty liver, and cutting out booze and cleaning up my diet sorted it out. I also take choline and selenium supplements, but speak to your consultant before taking anything, especially things like milk thistle - that in particular doesn't have enough clinical research behind it, and some hepatologists are very against its use. Black coffee is also very good for the liver.

The British Liver Trust website, in the meantime, is very informative (as is their HealthUnlocked forum).

NAFLD is becoming a chronic problem.

It is diet related mostly, and I know you probably eat veggie for the claimed health reasons, but I don’t think people have been given good advice about the risks of vegetarianism to health.

Anyway, some info here www.dietdoctor.com/groundbreaking-study-low-carb-effective-treatment-fatty-liver

The main thing is to really limit sugar and refined carbs

Has this come about through just one blood test or several blood test and scans as Sometimes infections and antibiotics can make liver blood test come back as elevated enzymes. Also anti inflammatories can do the same thing.

How much exercise do you get, and can you get?

I am under impression that lots exercise leads to lower fat around internal organs. So i would look at possiblh increased fitness regime.

If you already get at least 250 minutes of exercise/week, then I would chat to consultant about possibility of a genetic cause & if any medications are worth side effects to reduce future risks.

10 stone at 5'5" puts you near top of healthy BMI, and over the recommended BMI if Asian ethnicity. There's scope to lose a bit of weight & gain some benefit.

Just because you are a vegeterian, does not mean you are in the clear and eating healthy. Are you eating vegeterian processed foods? Because, those are just as bad as processed meats! Try a whole foods plant based diet and that will help you heal. Google forks over knives. Typical meals - oats made w water, fruits, veggies, brown rice, beans, potatoes.

I read something a while back about a link between borage oil (starflower oil) and liver toxins. Not sure if it is a confirmed link, but I think I'd probably knock those supplements on the head just in case.