Can excessive exercise increase liver enzymes?

[Monicka]

Hello, I know that moderate exercise is recommended for liver health. But how about running 5-7miles everyday? Could that negatively effect your ALT, AST levels?

[nash2 Partner]

Extreme exercise can indeed affect AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase) and ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase) levels. Both AST and ALT are enzymes found in the liver, and they can also be present in other tissues, such as muscle. Here's how extreme exercise can impact these levels:

1. **Muscle Damage**: Intense physical activity, particularly activities that involve significant muscle exertion or damage, can lead to an increase in AST and ALT levels. This is because these enzymes are released into the bloodstream from muscle tissues when they are damaged.

2. **Transient Increase**: The increase in AST and ALT levels due to exercise is typically temporary. Levels usually return to normal once the body has had time to recover from the exercise-induced muscle damage.

3. **Not Indicative of Liver Damage**: While elevated AST and ALT levels can indicate liver damage, in the context of recent intense exercise, they are more likely reflective of muscle damage rather than liver issues.

4. **Monitoring**: For athletes or individuals who engage in regular extreme exercise, it's important to consider the timing of blood tests. Testing should ideally be done after a period of rest to avoid misinterpretation of elevated enzyme levels.

If you're concerned about AST and ALT levels due to exercise, it might be a good idea to discuss this with a healthcare professional, who can provide guidance tailored to your specific situation and help interpret any lab results in the context of your exercise routine.

[Monicka in reply to nash2]

Thank you! It is so helpful to be part of this community👍😉I’m due for another blood test next week. I plan not to exercise for about 4-5 days prior it so the result is free of any exhaustion abnormalities. I also follow a strict liver diet now. I will let you know🌞

[Deborahkd22 in reply to nash2]

Thanks — this was helpful!