The British Liver Trust have a new campaign, www.loveyourliver.org, aiming to promote liver health through good diet and careful alcohol consumption. The British Liver Trust recommend at least two or three alcohol free days in a row each week.
Liver damage is now the 5th largest cause of death in the UK and is on the rise. Many people may not realise drinking above the lower risk guidelines can readily put the liver at risk significant risk - regularly drinking twice the guidelines is said to increase the risk of liver disease by 13 times. In addition, liver damage tends not show any signs or symptoms until later stages.
Chief Executive Andrew Langford stated that new attitudes were needed towards alcohol, and has been critical of Government alcohol policy as not going far enough. Langford also recently caused controversy by suggesting January detoxes won't make a significant improvement to liver health, and are possibly "medically futile". Instead at-risk drinkers should aim to reduce their overall consumption on a more consistent basis.
The British Liver Trust has been running roadshows around the country where the public can have a liver health test and get advice. The website also has video information on reducing the risks to your liver.
A 60% rise in cases of Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD) in young people over the last seven years was recently reported. See here for a NHS Choices video on liver disease.
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