What Foods To Avoid If Alkaline Phosphatase Is High

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme that lives on the outer layer of the cell membrane.

Though experts don’t know the precise function of ALP, it’s believed to be an important catalyst for many bodily processes, including those that occur in the liver, kidneys, bones, and digestive system.

Having high levels of ALP can be a sign of a health condition, like liver damage or a bone disorder.

Treatment and management recommendations will vary depending on the cause of your elevated ALP levels. But there are some dietary changes that may help, including avoiding alcohol.

Keep reading to learn more ALP levels and how to manage them. 

What Foods to Avoid if Alkaline Phosphatase is High

There is no standard diet recommended for people with high ALP levels.

Because there are several possible causes of high ALP levels, diet recommendations will vary depending on what’s causing your elevated levels.

Below are two things your doctor may recommend avoiding if your ALP levels are high.

Alcohol

High ALP levels can be a sign of liver damage. People with liver damage should avoid drinking alcohol, which can place more stress on the liver.  

Smoking

Though not a food, smoking is a lifestyle behavior that can increase the risk of high alkaline phosphatase levels and other chronic conditions. 

High Fructose Corn Syrup

One animal study from 2020 found that a high-fructose diet may increase the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, one of the leading causes of cirrhosis (or scarring of the liver).

Fructose is a type of sugar that’s usually consumed in the form of high fructose corn syrup, an inexpensive substitute for cane sugar. 

Experts are still unsure on how a high-fructose diet may impact the development of cirrhosis, but one narrative review from 2022 suggests that fructose may induce liver inflammation and deterioration of the intestinal barrier that blocks certain toxins and bacteria from entering the bloodstream.

More research is needed to determine these effects.

Foods to Eat that May Lower Alkaline Phosphatase

More evidence is needed to determine whether certain foods can help to lower ALP levels in the body.

Below are the findings of some research on foods that may help to lower ALP levels:

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

One small study of 52 participants found that supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids (like those found in fatty fish and some nuts) for 12 weeks helped to lower ALP levels in people with type 2 diabetes. 

Another double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial from 2020 found that omega-3 supplementation also helped to lower ALP levels in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Coffee

One review from 2017 suggests that people who drink more than three cups of coffee per day have significantly lower levels of ALP.

A survey from 2016 similarly reports that drinking 2-3 cups of coffee per day is associated with lower ALP levels. 

Another cross-sectional study from 2012 shows that current coffee drinks have lower levels of ALP when compared with never or past coffee drinkers.

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What is Alkaline Phosphatase?

Alkaline phosphatase is a type of enzyme found throughout the body that researchers believe plays a vital role in many bodily processes, including those that occur in the liver, kidneys, bone, and gastrointestinal system. 

What’s the Normal Range for Alkaline Phosphatase?

Normal ranges for ALP levels can vary from laboratory to laboratory.

Standard ranges also vary depending on your sex, age, and pregnancy status.

One normal range of ALP levels for adults is 44-147 international units per liter (IU/L).

Some organizations use a standard range of 30-120 IU/L.

Causes of High Alkaline Phosphatase

There are several possible causes of high ALP levels. If your ALP levels are high, your doctor will likely recommend additional testing to identify the root cause. 

Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver, can cause high ALP levels in the liver.

The most common causes of cirrhosis in the United states are alcoholism and hepatitis.

Hepatitis

Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver.

There are many types of hepatitis, including viral hepatitis, like hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E and alcoholic hepatitis.

Mononucleosis

Mononucleosis, also called mono, is a contagious disease caused by a virus (most often the Epstein-Barr virus).

Cholestasis of pregnancy

Cholestasis of pregnancy is a liver disorder in pregnancy that can occur in the second or third trimester.

The condition can cause extreme itching and reduced liver function.

In most people, the condition resolves after birth.  

Paget’s disease

High levels of ALP in the bone can be a sign of this rare chronic bone disorder which causes bones to grow unusually large and become weak.

Cancer

Elevated ALP levels can also be a sign of some cancers, including osteogenic sarcoma, a very rare cancer that occurs in teenagers and young adults.

Risks of High Alkaline Phosphatase

The risks of high alkaline phosphatase will vary depending on the cause of your elevated levels.

If your ALP test shows high or moderately high levels, your doctor will work with you to determine the underlying cause and its associated risks. 

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Other Ways to Lower Alkaline Phosphatase Levels

Depending on the cause of your elevated ALP levels, there are some strategies your doctor may recommend to help lower your levels, including:

• Medication, including cinacalet, a medication prescribed for some people with chronic kidney disease.
• Vitamin D supplementation may help to lower ALP levels in the blood.
• Resistance exercise may help to lower ALP levels in the bone.

Takeaway

There are many possible causes of elevated levels of ALP, an enzyme found throughout the body and particularly in the liver, kidneys, bone, and digestive system.

If you’re diagnosed with high levels of ALP, work with your healthcare team to identify the underlying cause and how best to manage it. 

How a Dietitian Can Help

Working with a dietitian will help you to incorporate foods into your daily routine that support your liver, kidney, and overall health.

If you’re diagnosed with high levels of ALP, your dietitian can help you learn how to build a meal plan that supports your unique health needs. 

You can find a dietitian through Nourish now.