Nutrition Diet: What Should You Avoid if Your Alkaline Phosphatase Is High?

October 17, 2025 •

4 min read

According to Mayo Clinic, an elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level in your blood is often a signal of an underlying condition affecting the liver or bones. When addressing this issue, knowing what should you avoid if your alkaline phosphatase is high? is a critical first step toward supporting your health through nutrition.

Quick Summary

An elevated ALP level suggests an underlying health concern, often related to the liver or bones. Dietary adjustments focus on reducing intake of alcohol, processed foods, high-fat items, and refined sugars to lessen the burden on your body's organs.

Key Points

Restrict Alcohol: Alcohol places significant stress on the liver, exacerbating conditions that cause elevated ALP levels.
Avoid Unhealthy Fats: High intake of saturated and trans fats from fried foods, processed meats, and high-fat dairy can cause liver inflammation and fatty liver disease.
Reduce Processed Foods: Processed and fast foods are often high in sodium, sugars, and additives that can overtax both the liver and kidneys.
Limit Refined Sugars: Excessive intake of added sugars, especially high-fructose corn syrup found in sodas and sweets, promotes liver fat accumulation.
Embrace a Whole-Foods Diet: Prioritize vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins to support liver and bone health naturally.
Consider Nutrient Overload: In specific cases, such as certain bone disorders, monitoring phosphorus intake from processed foods or excess Vitamin A from supplements and liver is advised.
Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water is essential for supporting the liver's detoxification processes and overall organ function.

Understanding High Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme found throughout the body, with the highest concentrations in the liver, bile ducts, and bones. An ALP test is a common blood test, and an elevated result can indicate a range of health issues, from liver disease like hepatitis or cirrhosis to bone disorders such as Paget's disease. While diet isn't the root cause of high ALP, specific foods and eating patterns can either exacerbate or alleviate the stress on the organs involved. Therefore, making informed dietary choices is a crucial part of managing high ALP levels in conjunction with medical treatment.

Foods and Substances to Exclude

Alcohol

Alcohol metabolism places significant stress on the liver, the organ primarily responsible for processing it. This added burden can worsen existing liver conditions and further elevate ALP levels. For individuals with liver-related ALP elevation, abstaining from alcohol is often the most important dietary change to make. Even moderate consumption can have a negative effect, so eliminating it entirely is the safest approach until advised otherwise by a healthcare provider.

High-Fat and Fried Foods

Diets high in saturated and trans fats can contribute to fat accumulation and inflammation in the liver, a condition known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). These unhealthy fats make the liver work harder and can worsen inflammation, leading to higher ALP readings. To reduce this strain, it's best to avoid:

Deep-fried items, such as french fries, fried chicken, and doughnuts
Processed meats like sausages and bacon
Fatty cuts of red meat
Full-fat dairy products in excess
Commercial baked goods with hydrogenated oils

Added Sugars and Refined Carbohydrates

Just as with unhealthy fats, an over-reliance on added sugars and refined carbs can harm the liver. When consumed in excess, particularly high-fructose corn syrup, the liver must convert this sugar into fat, which is a major driver of NAFLD and liver inflammation. To reduce this hepatic burden, limit intake of:

Sugary drinks like sodas and most fruit juices
Candies and pastries
White bread, white pasta, and sugary cereals

High-Sodium Processed Foods

Processed foods are often laden with sodium, preservatives, and other additives that can strain the liver and kidneys. High sodium intake can also lead to fluid retention, placing further stress on the body's systems. Opting for whole, fresh foods and avoiding overly processed options can significantly help. Common items to watch out for include:

Packaged snacks and chips
Canned soups and frozen dinners
Processed meats and deli meats
Fast food and convenience meals

Comparison: Foods to Avoid vs. Healthy Alternatives


Foods to Avoid	Healthy Alternatives
Alcohol: All types	Herbal Teas & Water: Hydrates and supports detoxification
Saturated/Trans Fats: Fried food, fatty red meat, processed meats	Healthy Fats: Avocados, nuts, olive oil
Added Sugars: Sugary drinks, candies, baked goods	Whole Fruits: Provides natural sweetness and antioxidants
Refined Grains: White bread, white pasta	Whole Grains: Brown rice, oats, quinoa
High-Sodium Processed Foods: Canned soups, deli meats	Fresh Foods: Lean poultry, fish, legumes, and fresh vegetables
Excess Vitamin A: High-dose supplements, liver products	Beta-Carotene Sources: Carrots, sweet potatoes, leafy greens

Essential Dietary Strategies to Support Your Body

Beyond simply avoiding harmful foods, focusing on nutrient-dense options can support liver and bone function. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats is beneficial for overall wellness and can aid in normalizing ALP levels.

Prioritize a Whole-Food Diet

Shifting toward a diet based on whole, natural foods reduces the body's exposure to artificial ingredients, preservatives, and chemicals that can stress the liver.

Embrace fruits and vegetables: These are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber that support detoxification and reduce inflammation.
Choose lean protein sources: Opt for fish, skinless poultry, beans, and lentils instead of fatty red and processed meats.
Incorporate liver-friendly foods: Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, garlic, turmeric, and beetroot have properties that support liver health.

Boost Hydration and Anti-Inflammatory Compounds

Staying well-hydrated is vital for flushing waste products from the liver and kidneys. Moderate consumption of certain beverages can also be beneficial:

Water: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to aid detoxification.
Coffee: Moderate coffee intake has been linked to liver-protective effects and lower ALP levels in some studies.
Green Tea: Contains antioxidants that may help protect liver cells.

The Role of Weight-Bearing Exercise

Regular physical activity is also a supportive strategy for high ALP, especially if the elevated levels are bone-related. Resistance exercise, in particular, can positively affect bone health and reduce the activity of bone-specific ALP. For those with liver issues, regular exercise helps manage weight and reduce the risk of fatty liver disease.

Conclusion

While there is no single food or beverage that directly causes or cures high alkaline phosphatase, your diet can have a significant supportive impact on the underlying conditions. By avoiding or limiting alcohol, processed foods, high-fat items, and refined sugars, you can reduce the strain on your liver and bones. Combining these dietary adjustments with a nutrient-rich, whole-foods diet and a consistent exercise routine is the most comprehensive approach to improving your overall health and working toward normalizing your ALP levels. Always remember that a high ALP result warrants a consultation with a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plan, as diet is a complementary strategy, not a cure.

For more detailed nutritional guidance and to understand your blood test results in the context of your overall health, consider consulting a registered dietitian or a healthcare professional who specializes in metabolic health. For example, some platforms offer AI-driven insights based on your biomarker profile after consultation (e.g., SiPhox Health).

Frequently Asked Questions

While no specific food directly causes high ALP, a fatty meal before a blood test can sometimes cause a temporary spike, and a diet high in unhealthy fats, sugar, and processed foods can contribute to liver stress that results in elevated levels over time.

Yes, diet is still important. While the primary cause is a bone issue, a healthy diet supports overall wellness. Depending on the specific condition, your doctor might recommend adjusting calcium, Vitamin D, or phosphorus intake. Avoiding inflammatory foods is beneficial regardless of the underlying cause.

The liver processes alcohol, and heavy or regular consumption inflames and stresses the liver, increasing ALP levels as a result. For people with liver-related high ALP, abstaining from alcohol is often recommended to help levels normalize.

Yes, processed foods can negatively impact liver health due to high levels of unhealthy fats, sodium, sugars, and chemical additives. This can lead to inflammation and fatty liver, which in turn can cause ALP levels to rise.

Instead of soda and sugary fruit juices, opt for water with a squeeze of lemon, green tea, or freshly made beetroot juice, which is rich in antioxidants that support liver function.

It is generally advised to limit fatty cuts of red meat, as they can be high in saturated fats that strain the liver. Leaner protein sources like fish, poultry, or plant-based options are healthier alternatives.

An ALP test on its own cannot specify the source. If your results are high, your doctor may order additional tests, such as an ALP isoenzyme test or other liver function tests, to pinpoint whether the issue is from the liver or bones.