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Advanced liver damage tied to binge drinking
Date: 2013-01-28 00:00:00

The more alcohol a person drinks, the more likely they are to sustain liver damage, but some scientists say binging on beer, wine or liquor could amplify this effect. With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showing alcohol- and liver-related diseases on the rise, research in this vein could show how liver testing can help doctors isolate those at the greatest risk of developing lifelong problems due to drinking.

Researchers at the University of Missouri School of Medicine looked  various studies on liver disease and alcohol consumption in patients. The authors tried to correlate binge drinking characteristics, short periods of heavy drinking, with increased prevalence of symptoms of chronic liver problems. These issues include immune deficiencies, metabolic problems and enhanced presence of liver illnesses like fatty liver, hepatitis and cirrhosis.

The study indicated that alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is strongly linked to binge drinking behaviors, reducing key autoimmune responses and slowing down the body as a whole. What's more, the results showed that specific cell bodies and internal agents were drastically reduced in the wake of binge events, with significant negative effects on the liver. Those with consistent alcohol consumption in the past could see amplified injury if binging and steady levels are mixed.

Studying consumption and deterioration patterns... Full Story

One particular omega-3 may help fight liver disease
Date: 2013-02-06 00:00:00

It's now become very common to hear about the growing obesity problem in the U.S., but many people may still not understand the far-reaching consequences of being overweight. For example, excess pounds may not only harm the heart, but the liver as well. For example, the Mayo Clinic states that being obese can increase a person's risk of developing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which is a liver problem that can occur even if a person does not drink alcohol excessively. This is why overweight individuals should make sure to get a liver panel test, which can detect any of the early signs of liver damage.

Over the years, research has suggested that omega-3 fatty acids may help protect against liver disease, so people may want to work to get more of these healthy lipids into their diet. Recently, scientists from Oregon State University discovered that one particular type of omega-s seems to have a more powerful ability to protect the liver than the rest.

Not all omega-3s are the same... Full Story

What does binge drinking do to the liver? 
Date: 2013-02-08 00:00:00

The liver is a crucial part of the body. The liver filters the blood coming from the digestive tract before it is able to spread to the rest of the body. This is why it's important for individuals to undergo liver panel tests to make sure that this organ functions properly and is showing no signs of disease. If left untreated, liver failure can lead to death, so people should always be aware of what condition this vital organ is in.

There are many things that can damage the liver. For example, WebMD states that malnutrition and the viruses hepatitis B and C can all harm this organ, but one of the most common causes of liver failure is alcohol consumption. Drinking alcohol over a long period of time can seriously impact your liver, and researchers are recently seeing exactly how damaging drinking can be. Researchers from the University of Missouri School of Medicine recently found that binge drinking can dramatically harm this organ.

Binge drinking leads to big problems... Full Story

Researchers shine light on factors that keep people from receiving a liver
Date: 2013-04-11 00:00:00

The sooner a liver condition is detected, the better, since an issue with this organ could progress to the point of needing a transplant. To avoid this issue, people should regularly get liver function profile lab tests to make sure this organ is functioning properly. Recently, researchers from the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago conducted an anonymous survey of U.S. transplant providers to discover what lowers a person's eligibility to receive one.

According to the findings, psychiatric factors, particularly suicide attempts, incarceration and marijuana use, can all harm a person's chances of receiving a liver transplant.

Harming eligibility... Full Story

Exercise may help protect the brain from effects of heavy drinking
Date: 2013-04-17 00:00:00

Alcohol consumption can affect both the mind and body, making regular lab tests important for regular drinkers. Recently, a team of researchers from the University of California, San Francisco discovered another way that people who imbibe can help protect their health: exercise.

The scientists discovered that heavy drinkers who exercised regularly experienced less damage to their brains' white matter than those who did not work out often, or at all.

Alcohol is dangerous, exercise may help... Full Story

Even occasional binge drinking may come with consequences
Date: 2013-05-03 00:00:00

People may think that the only individuals who need lab tests to check their liver function are older people or those who drink heavily, and they would be wrong. According to recent research from the University if Missouri, even those who only consume large quantities of alcohol on the weekends may find themselves at an increased risk of developing serious problems with their liver. These findings should encourage people to get regular lab tests, and consider keeping their drinking in check.

"In our research, we found that binge drinking has a profound effect on the liver in various modes of alcohol exposure," said Shivendra Shukla, Ph.D., Margaret Proctor Mulligan Professor at the University of Missouri School of Medicine and corresponding author of the study. "No longer can we consider chronic alcohol consumption as the only factor in developing alcoholic liver disease."

An increasing problem ... Full Story