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This article was co-written by Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS. Sarah Gehrke is a Licensed Nurse and Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing intravenous and intravenous (IV) surgical therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapy License from the Amarillo Institute of Massage Therapy in 2008 and her MSc. College of Nursing at the University of Phoenix in 2013.
There are 13 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.
Ammonia is a by-product of digestion, usually eliminated from the body through the liver. If ammonia levels in the body are elevated, it is probably due to a problem in the liver. However, there are ways to reduce ammonia levels and improve liver function. These measures include medications, dietary supplements, and changes to what you eat. With a combination of these methods, you should be able to reduce your ammonia levels. [1] X Research Source
Steps
Reducing ammonia levels with medication
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Consult your doctor. Most people know they need to lower their ammonia levels through their doctor’s advice. This problem is often related to another health problem, so controlling ammonia levels should be part of an overall treatment plan. [2] X Trusted Source University of Rochester Medical Center Go to Source
- High ammonia levels are a common symptom of advanced liver disease such as cirrhosis, Reye’s syndrome, and severe cases of hepatitis. If you have one of these conditions, you will have to find a way to lower your ammonia levels.
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Get tested for ammonia levels. Before taking medicine to lower your ammonia levels, you need to check for the problem. An ammonia test measures the amount of ammonia in your blood, so a blood sample will be drawn. [3] X Trusted Source University of Rochester Medical Center Go to Source
- Normal ammonia levels are between 15 and 45 µ/dL (11 to 32 µmp/L). [4] X Trusted Source MedlinePlus Go to Source
- Ammonia levels are temporarily elevated after exercise, especially vigorous and long-term exercise, such as long-distance running. [5] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to source You should therefore avoid all forms of exercise and avoid smoking before the test. [6] X Trusted Source University of Rochester Medical Center Go to Source
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Take lactulose pills. Lactulose is a constipation medicine used to treat high levels of ammonia in the blood. Lactulose works by removing ammonia from the blood and into the large intestine, where it is excreted during bowel movements. [7] X Research Sources
- Follow your doctor’s instructions about the time and dose of medication. The usual dosage is 2-3 tablespoons (30–45 mL) lactulose, 3-4 times a day. [8] X Research Sources
- Lactulose is a liquid medication that is usually taken by mouth. However, if you have extremely high ammonia levels and are hospitalized, the medication can be injected directly into the digestive system.
- Lactulose is the only medication used to lower ammonia levels in the body, but it is sold under various brand names such as Duphalac, Enulose, Generlac, Constulose, and Kristalose. [9] X Research Source
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Control side effects. Although lactulose helps reduce blood ammonia levels, it can cause side effects such as diarrhea, bloating, and nausea. It is designed to treat constipation, so it draws water out of the body and into the stool, causing loose stools and other digestive complications. Ask your doctor about what to do to limit these side effects. [10] X Research Source
- Remember to regularly hydrate your body when taking lactulose. The medicine will draw a lot of water out of the body, so you should replenish your fluids to avoid dehydration.
- If side effects are serious and affect your quality of life, tell your doctor. This is a sign that you need to adjust the dose of the medicine.
Reducing ammonia levels with diet
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Add probiotics to your diet. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that help digest food and protect against disease. These beneficial bacteria can support the intestinal tract to digest and eliminate ammonia more effectively. Some common foods that help add probiotics to the diet include fermented dairy products like kefir yogurt and fermented foods like sauerkraut. [11] X Research Source
- For example, you could try eating one serving of yogurt a day. Yogurt contains a lot of probiotics and can help with your digestive system as well as your health. [12] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to source
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Reduce the amount of animal protein in the diet. Protein from red meat may cause more ammonia in the blood than other animal proteins, such as chicken. [13] X Research Source
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Consider being vegetarian. Plant proteins such as legumes are digested more slowly than animal proteins, giving your body more time to get rid of the ammonia produced during digestion. For this reason, it’s best to choose plant-based proteins if you want to keep ammonia low. [14] X Research Source
- The vegetarian diet also provides plenty of dietary fiber and amino acids, both of which help balance ammonia levels.
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Limit protein intake after symptoms appear. Ammonia is a by-product of protein digestion in the body. Therefore, it is important to limit your protein intake if blood ammonia levels are particularly high. High ammonia levels are often recognized by increasing symptoms. [15] X Research Source
- For example, if you have liver disease and are experiencing abnormal brain activity, it’s best to limit your protein intake while you’re recovering.
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Take a zinc supplement. Zinc can play an important role in increasing the amount of ammonia the body can get rid of. Ask your doctor if zinc supplements can help you lower your ammonia levels. [16] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source
- Liver diseases often reduce zinc levels. Zinc is an important part of ammonia elimination, so zinc supplements can help people with high ammonia levels. [17] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to source
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Ask your doctor about multivitamins (multivitamin tablets) you can take. When ammonia levels are high, it’s a sign that your body isn’t working properly. This can cause many health problems due to lack of essential vitamins and minerals. To prevent this, ask your doctor about taking a daily multivitamin to get the nutrition you need.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions exactly for the type and dosage of multivitamins to limit the risk of getting something that can negatively affect liver function and ammonia levels. For example, vitamin A in very high doses can cause liver toxicity. [18] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source
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Take glutamine supplements. Glutamine has been shown to be effective in reducing ammonia levels in endurance athletes. Ask your doctor if any supplements can help you control your ammonia levels. [19] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source
- Glutamine can be dangerous for people with liver failure. You need to talk to your doctor about all supplements before taking them. [20] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source
Warning
- Reducing above-average high ammonia levels is important. Too much ammonia in the blood can cause serious problems, such as impaired brain function. [21] X Research Source
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This article was co-written by Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS. Sarah Gehrke is a Licensed Nurse and Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing intravenous and intravenous (IV) surgical therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapy License from the Amarillo Institute of Massage Therapy in 2008 and her MSc. College of Nursing at the University of Phoenix in 2013.
There are 13 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.
Ammonia is a by-product of digestion, usually eliminated from the body through the liver. If ammonia levels in the body are elevated, it is probably due to a problem in the liver. However, there are ways to reduce ammonia levels and improve liver function. These measures include medications, dietary supplements, and changes to what you eat. With a combination of these methods, you should be able to reduce your ammonia levels. [1] X Research Source
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