Poor diets ‘threaten nation’s livers’

Britain’s health services could face a dramatic increase in the number of liver disease cases, a charity has warned.

The British Liver Trust (BLT) claims that rising obesity levels, combined with the trend towards heavy alcoholic consumption, are responsible for the heightened risk.

Marking obesity awareness week today, the charity points to recent research showing that obesity is linked to the development of liver disease.

Fatty livers and empty calories from alcohol consumption mean an increased susceptibility to fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer.

“While much of the recent increase in liver disease has been alcohol-related a major contributory factor is the nature and quantity of food we are eating,” Alison Rogers, chief executive of the BLT, commented.

“Liver disease is a silent killer. It does not show any symptoms until the liver is severely damaged,” she added.

Approximately 4,000 people die from alcoholic cirrhosis every year, according to the BLT. Ms Rogers is concerned that the nation’s eating habits could force this number upwards.

“Our unhealthy lifestyle is storing huge problems for the future,” she warned.