After being diagnosed with NASH, I have increased physical activity and greatly altered my eating habits, but my ALT level is still elevated. What else can I do?
As the underlying cause is not yet known, currently there are no specific therapies for NASH. The standard recommendations given to people with NASH are to follow a balanced diet, do exercise and lead a healthy lifestyle, in hope of decreasing the amount of fat in the liver. Reducing weight to a normal level may also help to lower ALT level.
Specialists are now conducting experiments and clinical studies on the effects of antioxidants (e.g. vitamin E, selenium and betaine) on NASH patients. The results will be available in a few years’ time, but as of today, there is not enough scientific evidence to show that these substances actually help treat the disease. [1]
On the other hand, some research papers on PubMed have shown that a compound made from natural ingredients (YHK) has positive effects on NASH patients. [2][3] It has been proven that the compound has anti-inflammatory effects and can restore normal liver function. A clinical study also indicates that most people’s ALT levels lowered to normal level within 2 weeks of using YHK. [4]
- Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis. (2014, May 28). Retrieved from http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-topics/liver-disease/nonalcoholic-steatohepatitis/Pages/facts.aspx
- Stefano JT, de Oliveira CP, Corrêa-Giannella ML, de Lima VM, de Sá SV, de Oliveira EP, de Mello ES, Giannella-Neto D, Alves VA, Carrilho FJ. (2007) “Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in ob/ob mice treated with yo jyo hen shi ko (YHK): effects on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) and microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP)” Digestive Diseases and Sciences Dec;52(12):3448-54. PMID: 17394061
- de Lima VM, de Oliveira CP, Sawada LY, Barbeiro HV, de Mello ES, Soriano FG, Alves VA, Caldwell SH, Carrilho FJ. (2007) “Yo jyo hen shi ko, a novel Chinese herbal, prevents nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in ob/ob mice fed a high fat or methionine-choline-deficient diet” Liver International Mar;27(2):227-34. PMID: 17311618
- Chande N, Laidlaw M, Adams P, Marotta P. (2006) “Yo Jyo Hen Shi Ko (YHK) improves transaminases in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH): a randomized pilot study” Digestive Diseases and Sciences Jul;51(7):1183-9. PMID: 16944007
- * All research and clinical data should be used as reference purposes only, results may vary.
