Drinking, Obesity, Liver Disease Risk

Two new studies in the British Medical Journal report research that suggests even a small amount of daily drinking (as little as a third or half a drink a day!) plus obesity increases the risk of liver disease in men and women. 

Drinking + Obesity = Double Trouble for your Liver

So you’ve put down the drink.  Maybe it’s been a matter of days, or years.  Either way, that is awesome.  Just by stopping the daily or binge drinking episodes, you have already decreased your risk for liver disease.  Let’s take it a step further.  Now that you are sober, have you ever given your liver some support, via healthy dietary changes and/or nutritional supplementation?  If not, you can read more about how to be proactive in this way at our previous article on Liver Health & Nutrition. 

Having removed the first half of the equation, let’s look at the other factor: obesity.  The American Obesity Association utilizes Body Mass Index (BMI) to evaluate your degree of risk based on excess weight.   Here are the risk parameters:

• BMI > 25 defines overweight and marks the point where the risk of disease increases from excess weight.

• BMI > 30 defines obesity and marks the point where the risk of death increases from excess weight.

• Waist circumference of > 40 inches in men and > 35 inches in women increases disease risk.

You can quickly have your BMI calculated by clicking here.

If you are ready to improve your body composition to lose fat and preserve lean muscle, a lifestyle change is what you need… not a diet!  Diets don’t really work, in fact they contribute to the obesity problem overall.  Start by educating yourself on the correct healthy way to lose weight.  Check out this highly recommended Health Guide to learn the essentials. Keep coming back for future articles with more information on liver health and other health issues pertaining to recovering alcoholics and addicts.