Skip to main content

Dr. Joe Galati shares his top 5 tips for a healthy liver.

DOWNLOAD HERE Top 5 Tips for a Healthy Liver. 

  1. Know your ALT. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is an enzyme found primarily in the liver, one of the liver tests measured on your blood tests. Elevation of ALT indicates inflammation of the liver. There are numerous causes of elevated ALT, including fatty liver, hepatitis B and C, autoimmune disease, and several other metabolic and genetic disorders. Elevated ALT needs a detailed evaluation by your physician.

  2. Don’t ignore a fatty liver. Fatty liver is a leading cause of chronic liver disease, which in certain individuals, can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Fatty liver is due to obesity, pre-diabetes or type-2 diabetes, elevated cholesterol and triglycerides, and high blood pressure. Fatty liver may have NO symptoms, and you feel well. It can be reversed with weight loss. New research studies are being conducted. Contact our office for details.

  3. Limit alcohol use. Men should consume no more than 2 alcohol beverages per day, and women one.

  4. Limit your intake of acetaminophen (TYLENOL). Historically, the maximum daily adult dose of acetaminophen is 4,000 mg, with a recommended dosage of 352-650 mg every 4-6 hours or 1,000 mg every 6 hours. In 2012, the FDA suggested, but did not mandate, a maximum daily dose for adults of 3,000 mg, with no more than 650 mg every 6 hours, as needed. Acetaminophen is toxic to the liver and can cause acute liver failure and death. Acetaminophen is more toxic when taken with alcohol.

  5. Get vaccinated. Currently, there are safe and effective vaccines for hepatitis A and hepatitis B. Note there is NO vaccine for hepatitis C. Vaccination can safely prevent these two viruses that can cause serious liver injury, and even death.

Obesity and Fatty Liver Disease

Obesity, and all of its related complications, is more serious than most adults in America believe. More than one-third (34.9% or 78.6 million) of U.S. adults are obese. Obesity-related conditions include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, and certain types of cancer, are some of the leading causes of preventable death. We are seeing an increase in the number of young children and adolescents developing obesity, and all of the related complications.

The cost of obesity is staggering, with annual medical cost of obesity exceeding $147 billion in 2008 U.S. dollars. The medical costs for people who are obese were $1,429 higher than those of normal weight.

Dr. Galati and the Liver Specialists of Texas team are dedicated to evaluate, treat, and manage all aspects of obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD and NASH), including the complication of cirrhosis and liver failure. Developing a customized plan of care for each patient they see is their objective.

Liver Transplant Resources

Dr. Galati has been involved in Liver Transplantation since 1989. As Medical Director for the Center for Liver Disease and Transplantation at Houston Methodist Hospital, Dr. Galati has cared for thousands of patients with advanced liver disease. In those with the most severe form of advanced liver disease and cirrhosis, liver transplantation is a life-saving surgery. For more information on liver transplantation, click here.

Indications for liver transplant include:

Online LIVER Second Opinion

  • 1

    From the comfort of your home, without the need to spend additional money on travel, lodging, and food, receive and expert second opinion from the expert physicians at Liver Specialists of Texas

  • 2

    There are five steps in the process of requesting a second opinion. We anticipate the steps will take you about 30-65 minutes to complete.

  • 3

    Have your medical records or those of your loved one on hand as you fill out the medical history questionnaire portion of the online process. The medical history questionnaire is detailed so having medical records to quickly reference will help make the process more efficient.

  • 4

    To start the process of an Online Liver Second Opinion, please fill out the initial contact form and fax back to our office. A representative from our office will call you for additional details.