Download ArticleDownload ArticleThis article was medically reviewed by Erik Kramer, DO, MPH. Dr. Erik Kramer is a Board-Certified Primary Care Physician at the University of Colorado. With over 15 years of experience, his clinical interests include obesity and weight management, diabetes care, and preventive care, as well as embracing a holistic approach to primary care. He received his Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) from the Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency at Central Maine Medical Center. Dr. Kramer is a Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine.
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Globulin is a protein that’s present in your body and can be measured in your bloodstream. When globulin is present in your body at high levels, or is out of balance with your body’s albumin (another protein), it can lead to or indicate health problems. If you have—or suspect that you have—high globulin, speak to your doctor and ask their advice on treating the issue. Fortunately, there are a few straightforward changes that you can make to your diet and daily routine to decrease your globulin levels. In many cases, the best way to lower your globulin levels will be by treating an underlying disease or illness.
Steps
Cut high-protein foods out of your diet to decrease globulin levels. If your doctor has asked you to lower your globulin, avoiding high-protein foods is a great place to start. Protein contains high levels of globulin, so consuming protein-heavy foods will raise your globulin. The recommended daily maximum amount of protein that you should eat is 0.08 g/kg (0.36 g/lb.). Aim to consume slightly less than this amount daily to lower your globulin. Keep in mind that changing your intake of protein will most likely not change your total protein on the A/G test result, but it will affect your globulin levels.[1] Avoid protein-heavy foods like:- Red meat and eggs
- Milk, cheese, and yogurt
- Hemp seeds and soy
Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables to keep your globulin levels low. Veggies and fruits tend to have low protein levels. This means that they can form the majority of your diet without increasing already-high globulin levels. Avoid eating many servings of canned or processed fruits or veggies, since these are less healthy than natural foods. Build your diet around foods like:[2]- Apples, pears, and berries
- Oranges, grapefruit, and other citrus fruits
- Root vegetables like beets, turnips, and carrots
- Broccoli, cauliflower, and peas
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Supplement your diet with healthy fats and nuts. If you were to consume a diet comprised only of vegetables and fruits, you wouldn't receive all the nutrients your body needs. To meet your nutritional needs without eating large amounts of proteins, consume foods rich in healthy fats. Eating nuts is also a great way to intake plenty of calories without eating too much high-globulin protein. So, supplement your diet with:[3]- Foods made with healthy fats like olive oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, and soybean oil
- Nuts including walnuts, cashews, and almonds
Stop using globulin-boosting protein supplements or protein powders. As with most other sources of protein, protein supplements and protein powders are high in globulin. To decrease your blood globulin levels, stop using protein supplements immediately. If you’d like to still build muscle while decreasing globulin levels, talk to your doctor about healthy ways to do this.[4]- Protein supplements are especially popular among people who regularly lift weights and are trying to bulk up.
Participate in both aerobic and strength exercises to lower globulin. Daily exercise is one of the best ways to reduce your high globulin levels. If your doctor has recommended that you lower your globulin, make exercising for about 30 minutes a part of your daily routine. You can do all of your daily exercise in, for example, a single 30-minute weight-training session, or do 3 separate 10-minute jogs throughout the day.[5]- Aerobic exercises (also called cardio) get your heart pumping and include things like running, swimming, jumping rope, or cycling
- Strength-training exercises are based around weights and include bench pressing, dumbbell lifting, and squatting
Reduce stress in your life to lower your globulin levels. In addition to having a generally negative effect on your mental health, living with acute stress can increase your globulin levels. Focus both on destressing in the moment and on removing big-picture stressors from your life. Some great ways to destress and calm down include:[6]- Practicing meditation or yoga
- Spending time outdoors or taking a quick walk
- Listening to relaxing music
Keep your body hydrated by drinking plenty of water every day. When your body gets dehydrated, your globulin levels will increase. Over time, this can result in chronically high globulin levels. Drink plenty of water and other clear liquids (e.g., fruit juices or herbal tea) throughout the day to keep your body well hydrated.[7]- Adult men should drink 15.5 cups (3.7 L) of water each day, while adult women should drink at least 11.5 cups (2.7 L).[8]
Visit your doctor if you experience chronic inflammation on your body. While many underlying conditions can lead to high globulin, it presents relatively few symptoms. One of the main symptoms is inflammation, which is often caused by a buildup of fluids in the extremities.[9] Also visit your doctor if you show signs of liver disease (which often causes high globulin levels). Symptoms of liver disease include:[10]- Vomiting and nausea
- Itching
- Frequent fatigue and a lack of appetite
Agree to have your A/G ratio tested through laboratory bloodwork. An A/G test will allow doctors to measure the ratio of albumin to globulin in your body. Your doctor will draw blood from your arm and send the blood for lab work and analysis. Follow up with your doctor in 1–2 weeks if you haven’t heard back about the A/G ratio test.[11]- Low albumin could suggest a liver disorder, a kidney disorder, a disorder in which protein is not digested or absorbed properly, severe malnutrition, celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease.
- A high total protein level might suggest with chronic inflammation, infections, or multiple myeloma.
- If the doctor put on a tourniquet for too long or if you take estrogen or oral contraceptives, the A/G test results might not be accurate.
Ask your doctor about a serum protein electrophoresis test. This is another type of blood test, in which your doctor will draw blood from your hand or arm with a needle and then send the blood sample to a lab for analysis. Unlike the A/G ratio test, which measures for all types of globulin, the protein electrophoresis test measures only for gamma globulins. Your doctor may suggest this test if they suspect that you have an immune system disorder.[12]- You may also need to take this test if your doctor thinks you may have multiple myeloma (a type of cancer).
Discuss the test results with your doctor. In broad terms, too-high levels of globulin indicate types of cancer (e.g., Hodgkin’s diseases or malignant lymphoma), while too-low levels are indicative of kidney or liver diseases. Your doctor will lay out the test results and explain what they mean.[13]- High globulin levels can also be caused by dehydration or certain medications. To rule out these possibilities, tell the doctor what medications you’re taking.
List of Foods to Eat and Avoid and Meal Plan to Help Lower Globulin Levels
Expert Q&A
Tips
- There are 4 different types of globulins that exist in your blood. They are: alpha 1, alpha 2, beta, and gamma.[14]Thanks
- Healthy amounts of albumin and globulin in your blood will vary slightly from individual to individual. Generally speaking, though, adults should have about 39–59 g/L (0.33–0.5 pounds per gallon) of albumin in their blood.[15]Thanks
- While globulin levels vary a little more widely, a healthy adult should have between 23–35 g/L (0.2–0.29 pounds per gallon) of globulin in their blood.[16]Thanks
Warnings
- If your doctor suggests that you increase your hydration to lower your globulin levels, it would also be wise to cut back on your alcohol consumption. Alcohol will worsen the symptoms of dehydration.Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320050.php
- ↑ https://patient.info/doctor/globulins
- ↑ http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/34/8/1706
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-hidden-dangers-of-protein-powders
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17158430
- ↑ https://patient.info/doctor/globulins
- ↑ https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=167&contentid=total_protein_ag_ratio
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256
- ↑ https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=167&contentid=total_protein_ag_ratio
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/globulin-test/
- ↑ https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=167&contentid=total_protein_ag_ratio
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/globulin-test/
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/globulin-test/
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/globulin-test/
- ↑ https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=167&contentid=total_protein_ag_ratio
- ↑ https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=167&contentid=total_protein_ag_ratio
About This Article
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
Having too much globulin in your body can lead to health problems, but with a diet low in protein and daily exercise to improve your metabolism, you can lower your globulin levels to a healthy range. Try cutting out high-protein foods such as red meat, eggs, and dairy from your diet, which contain high levels of globulin. Focus on eating fresh fruits and vegetables instead since they're nutritious and low in protein. Add some healthy fats to your diet too so you're getting all the nutrients you need, like olive oil, almonds, and cashews. In addition to diet, try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day with aerobic exercises like jogging or cycling. You could also mix things up with some strength-training and weight lifting. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water and clear liquids as well. For tips about how to reduce stress to lower globulin levels, keep reading!
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