Your guide to Albumin.
Discover the importance of Albumin in your health and longevity with Mito Health's comprehensive biomarker analysis. Our detailed reports cover key biomarkers, providing essential insights to help you make informed decisions for a healthier, longer life.
What is Albumin?
Albumin is a protein produced by the liver and is the most abundant protein in the blood plasma.
It plays a vital role in maintaining oncotic pressure (the pressure exerted by proteins in the blood plasma that helps keep fluid in the bloodstream) and in transporting various substances, including hormones, vitamins, drugs, and ions, throughout the body.
What does it assess?
Albumin testing assesses the level of albumin in the blood. This test is commonly used to evaluate liver function, nutritional status, and overall health.
It can help diagnose and monitor various conditions, including liver disease, kidney disease, and malnutrition.
How do I optimize my Albumin levels?
Albumin is a protein, so adequate dietary protein is essential. High-quality protein sources such as lean meats, fish, eggs, dairy, beans, and legumes support albumin synthesis.
Dehydration can sometimes lower measured albumin levels. Ensure consistent hydration by drinking water throughout the day.
Good hydration also supports kidney and liver function, which can have indirect benefits for albumin levels.
Alcohol can impair liver function, affecting its ability to produce albumin.
Reducing or avoiding alcohol entirely can help the liver focus on efficient protein production, supporting better albumin levels.
What do high and low Albumin levels mean?
High albumin levels in the blood, are usually not a major cause for concern on their own. High albumin levels are most often due to dehydration, where the plasma volume decreases, leading to a higher concentration of albumin.
It can also occur in high-protein diets, and in certain situations such as following burns, major surgery or stress.
Low albumin levels, or hypoalbuminemia, can occur in chronic liver diseases (since albumin is produced by the liver), or kidney disease (as albumin can be lost in the urine), as well as when there is inadequate protein intake or malnutrition.
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