Elevated Liver Enzymes

Hi. I have RA and over the years have been on this drug or that which would elevate my liver enzymes. Usually, lowering the offending drug dosage did the trick but I now keep my alcohol intake to two drinks a week. I love my very old single malt scotch, but the upside of restraint is now I can buy the very expensive great one and it will last a year 🙂

Seriously, you only get one liver. And no one better understands sweet cravings better than I do. I am quite literally addicted to carbohydrates - sweets, breads, potatoes, pasta, rice, flours, corn, etc. and there is no painless path to quit freaking eating them. When I fall off the wagon and need to get back on the straight path, I take these steps for 10 days. You will seriously want to gnaw your arm off the first 5-6 days but think of it as the boot camp phase. Likely no one would recommend this as a lifestyle diet but it’s not intended as that.

* load up on low carb foods you can have at will for two weeks such as
Lettuces, deli ham, turkey, egg salad, chicken salad - just chicken and mayo - Sugar free jello and a smudge of cool whip will help with sweet craving. And purge from your pantry everything you cannot eat. Even if you just pack it in a cooler and take it to a neighbor with instructions to not give it back for 10 days.
FYI There’s a great new low carb bread made by Natures Own. Acceptable But not “all You want”, It’s labeled Keto. One gram of carbs per slice. Don’t eat 5 slices but you can enjoy one sandwich a day. No cheese or nuts during this boot camp Phase.

Other than the “all you want” food, count carbs and for those first 10 days try to stay under 15 grams
Of carbs a day. It’s hard. Eat SIX CUPS OF SALAD A DAY with a dressing that is not high carb. I put ranch and a bit of water or milk in a spray bottle - ranch flavor, fewer calories.
Again, You are not making low carb a life diet. You are obsessing for 10 days to beat your sugar craving over the head. When you are about to get in the car to go buy a Reese’s, drink a full glass of iced water and go walk as fast as you can manage around the house or down the street for at Least 5 - 10 minutes. Do stuff : Plan your diet for after boot camp (More veggies and LEAN proteins). less bread. Carbs that count.
If you have been successful after 10 days, give yourself a hand and become a food manager instead of a food Victim. Shift to smart fats and smart carbs in balance. Happy to encourage or commiserate. 🙂

Thank you very
much for your kind, compassionate
and helpful information!
Low carb is what I am seeking-however the natural fiber and roughage in lettuce, vegetables and most fruits plays havoc with my digestion as a post Colectomy patient.
I will definitely invest in the proteins you recommended!
Take care!

Well the point of the salad is to address predictable constipation from the lean proteins and fewer simple Carbs - that tend to move things along you know. So if you don’t need that, adjust to cooked veggies or softer “at will” food like eggs or whatever you tolerate.

Hang in there. Food addiction is real. I feel more empowered with low carb. My friend prefers low fat. If you view it as a 10 day kick start to a food management transition, either will Work for you. What won’t work is a day of one and then a day of the other.
Rooting for you!!

I have liver fibrosis stage 1 with mild fatty liver by biopsy. I was originally diagnosed through blood testing and fibroscan by first doctor, stage 4 cirrhosis advanced fatty liver. A CT showed an enlarged liver. I started losing weight on my own, I joined the Fatty Liver Foundation FLF online, followed their diet then went to a dietitian for a diabetic diet. Combined the two, liver diet nothing white, bread, rice, potatoes, flour, cut out saturated fats use virgin olive oil, cut sugar and watch fake sugars most are really bad. Stevia is okay but must not contain any other, read up on it. Of course no pop, alchohol, no juices with sugar, fruit is good, vegies, fish, brown rice, sweet potatoes, watch your salt intake as well. Coffee is great for your liver, decaf works too, I was prescribed 3 cups per day or more if you can handle it. I have gerd so low acid and decaf are still affective. I lost 75 pounds before biopsy but have put some back on after I went off an antidepressant so debating about restarting Paxel, my digestion and gerd was better while using it also. Hope this helps, incase I didn't say, I am 71 was 69 when first diagnosed.

I forgot to add to my post, very important for liver, no processed foods, no fast foods..was my downfall but I have abstained for 2 years. Fatty liver can be cured, fibrosis can go back in stage and if mild can heal..cirrhosis might go back 1 stage but you really have to work at it unlike alchohol induced liver damage most of the time you just have to quit drinking and it can start to heal if caught early.

Thank you very much for your helpful, informative and supportive response! Much appreciated!
Take Care!

Doesn't you Gastrointestinal doctor provide diet and supplement recommendations? If your doc is part of a hospital then they usually have a nutrition dept that have dietitians to provide guidelines too.