regarding husband

I read that foods can influence AST and ALT is this correct , if so what foods are we talking about.
Bonnie

[nygirl7]

I don't really remember hearing that foods can change your ast or alt that much that it would make a very big difference.  Liver enzymes are created when a liver cell dies off - from disease or too many meds or alcohol etc. I can't think of a food that is that bad for your liver that it would elevate it - obviously a healthy lifestyle would help maintain normal liver enzyme levels but basically I don't think a cheesburger would kill anyone (I hope not cause I love them ;)

[jmjm530]

Purely anecdotal, but I was able to normalize my enzymes 2-3 times during the 40 years prior to treatment. In all these instances I adhered to a strict low fat diet, namely the "Pritkin" diet where total fat calories add up to no more than 10% of total daily calories. Protein is also limited on this diet so it's basically high carb, low fat, low-moderate protein.

That said, some will say that a more balanced "Zone" type diet is better for the liver. And in fact, both may be correct because it may just turn out that high carbs work with low fat for some people and lower carbs (zone) work with higher fat.

FWIW my enzymes never normalized on a Zone type diet and in fact rose a bit. However, post treatment on a very low carb diet (stage 1 "South Beach") I was able to dramatically improve my cholesterol scores as well as blood pressure.

Diets seem one of those over-studied categories where no one seems to agree. There was an audio tape somewhere on the Net where Barry Spears (Zone Founder) verbally spars with I believe either Ornish (Ornish diet) or McDougal (McDougal Diet) the latter both being high carb, low fat diets. Quite a heated discussion!

-- Jim

[portann]

Hi Bonnie,

You didn't say whether your husband has Hepatitis C and if so, if he's currently treating.

ALT's and AST's are indicators, can fluctuate but do not provide the key information he needs if he has HCV. Do you know his Genotype? Has he had a liver biopsy?

Drinking alcohol can influence both LFT's and the liver, so that is a more important consideration than the foods he eats. A healthy diet based on a sensible approach is a recommendation that applies across the board.

[bonnie442]

My husband had transplant Dec 1 2000-- for the past 4 yrs ast and alt have been in the
50s and 60s  but in the past month have been in high 200s,  he had a biopsy yesterday
and we are waiting to hear.  If I remember correctly his genoype is 2 .He has been
on ribo and interferon twice the last time was 3 years ago.  It was working no sign of
the virus in body but he got very very sick and was taken off meds.  No he doesnt
drink at all.

[portann]

Sorry to have neglected your question to me. I didn't see it until now.

I didn't realize your husband's situation is so complex. Perhaps others can help, since I'm at a loss in a transplant situation.

Wishing you lots of replies and all the best to both you and your husband,

Port