For Those Who Want to Improve Their Liver Numbers: Can AST (GOT) and ALT (GPT) Be Lowered? A Specialist Explains the Potential of Regenerative Medicine for Improving Blood Data

“I’m on an emotional roller coaster looking at my liver numbers on my health checkup results…” “Isn’t there some way to improve these AST and ALT numbers…?”

If you are currently harboring such desperate feelings, this blog post might become a ray of hope for you. In this blog, we will explain in an easy-to-understand manner from a specialist’s perspective what the numbers you often see on liver blood tests mean, and what kind of potential regenerative medicine brings to the “improvement of liver function numbers.”

■Are you concerned about your liver numbers? The signs indicated by major numbers

In a blood test during a health checkup, there are several important numbers that specifically indicate the condition of the liver.

■AST (GOT) and ALT (GPT): “SOS signs from the liver”

AST (GOT) and ALT (GPT) are enzymes that are abundant in liver cells. When there is some kind of damage to the liver, these enzymes leak out into the blood, and the numbers rise.

• ALT (GPT): It is particularly abundant in the liver and bile ducts. If the ALT number is elevated, it is almost certain that there is a problem with the liver or bile ducts.
• AST (GOT): Since it is also present in heart muscle and red blood cells, it can rise due to other causes, but if it rises along with ALT, a liver problem is strongly suspected.

■Reference values of the Japan Society of Ningen Dock:

Number (U/L)	Interpretation
Under 30	Normal range.
Over 51	Considered “abnormal.” Caution is required.
Under 100	Often handled with follow-up observation, but the liver is likely under stress. |
Over 100	Liver diseases such as chronic hepatitis or fatty liver are strongly suspected.
Over 300	A dangerous condition often requiring hospitalization.

γ-GTP: Rises due to alcohol, fatty liver (NASH/MASH), or drug-induced liver injury.

Albumin (Alb) and Platelets (PLT): Important indicators of the liver’s synthesis capacity and the degree of fibrosis (stiffness).

■Nutritional and Dietary Guidance Based on Medical Evidence

Before considering advanced medical treatments, the fundamental approach to improving these numbers is to obtain the nutrients necessary for liver repair from your daily diet. For example, “taurine,” which is found in seafood and shellfish such as squid and octopus, is an important component that supports the improvement of liver function.

The director of our clinic has reported in an international medical journal that serum taurine levels are deeply associated with the improvement of therapeutic effects in the study of hepatic encephalopathy, a serious complication of liver cirrhosis. (Source: Hepatol Res 2016; 46(2): 215-224)

Based on this specialized knowledge, in addition to being mindful of taurine intake, it is also important to adopt the “veggie-first” approach and to consciously consume about 20g of high-quality protein (such as chicken breast and soy products) per meal. At our clinic, we provide nutritional guidance based on scientific evidence tailored to each patient’s condition to help stabilize blood data.

■The mechanism by which regenerative medicine sheds light on improving liver function numbers

In conventional liver disease treatments, once conditions like liver cirrhosis have progressed, it has been considered difficult to significantly improve liver function numbers. However, regenerative medicine, especially stem cell therapy, holds the potential to positively impact these numbers.

Stem cells have an “anti-inflammatory effect” and “tissue repair promotion effect.”

1. Suppression of inflammation: By calming the inflammation in the liver, the damage to liver cells is reduced. As a result, we can expect an improvement in numbers like AST and ALT.
2. Functional support for remaining liver cells: Improving the liver’s environment helps the remaining cells work more efficiently, potentially increasing albumin levels.
3. Suppression and improvement of fibrosis: It is also expected to suppress the hardening of the liver, which may delay the progression of platelet reduction.

■”Hope” obtained from regenerative medicine: The specific potential for improvement

Among the patients who actually received regenerative medicine at our clinic, there are examples where improvements in liver function numbers were observed. For example, effects such as an increase in albumin levels improving swelling, or stabilization of AST and ALT numbers leading to an improvement in QOL (Quality of Life) can be expected.

■Numbers are indicators, but hope becomes strength

Liver numbers are indicators showing the state of your body. Having a goal in the form of objective numbers can be an encouragement for treatment and a great power to move forward positively.

Have you given up on your liver numbers? Perhaps regenerative medicine might fulfill your hope. At our clinic, we also accept online preliminary consultations (using Curon). Please feel free to contact us and take the first step toward improving your health.