Healthy body
Liver disease, now the fifth biggest killer in the UK, has increased in the past year as British culture continues to embrace the daily consumption of alcohol and unhealthy food choices all combined with a sedentary lifestyle.
With no early warning signs, and tolerance levels varying genetically, liver testing is critical to identify the early signs of damage so that people can make the necessary changes in their lifestyle to save their lives.
The call comes as the charity launches its second annual Love Your Liver awareness campaign, which will be led by a nationwide roadshow of ‘pop-up’ liver health clinics. Sponsored by Eisberg alcohol-free wine, the roadshow hopes to educate the public about the three steps they need to make to look after their liver.
1. Taking two to three days off alcohol per week
2. Getting regular exercise
3. Cutting down on sugar and fat
Andrew Langford, Chief Executive of the British Liver Trust, comments: “Last year the Love Your Liver Roadshow found that 1 in 4 people tested were showing the early signs of liver disease. Caught at this early stage, lifestyle changes allow the liver to repair itself.
“Having an alcoholic drink every night, over indulging in rich food too frequently and not making time for regular exercise are major contributing factors for liver disease. As everyone is affected differently, and symptoms are almost unrecognisable until the damage is beyond repair, the government needs to take action to help people understand the damage they are doing.’’
“It’s not about a quick fix in January, to repair the liver and keep it healthy, people need to follow our three step plan all year round 1) Take two to three days off alcohol every week 2) Get regular exercise 3) Cut down on sugar and fat.”
“Our Love Your Liver campaign offers free screenings to the public at a series of pop-up liver health clinics, offering free FibroScan tests which help identify the early warning signs and practical advice about how to love your liver. However, we can only reach a very small group of people and we’re appealing for the government to do more.”
The charity has released statistics from their inaugural Love Your Liver campaign showing that 28% of those tested last year are showing early signs of liver damage. This damage can be easily reversed with three simple steps – taking two to three days off alcohol per week, taking regular exercise and cutting down on sugar and fat. If left undetected however, these early signs could lead to permanent liver damage.
The Love Your Liver campaign can be followed via www.loveyourliver.org.uk, www.facebook.com/britishlivertrust and Twitter @livertrust
The British Liver Trust and Eisberg alcohol free wine team up for liver health campaign
Who: The British Liver Trust
What: Pop up liver health clinics, offering the public free FibroScan tests, health advice and the chance to sample Eisberg alcohol-free mulled wine.
Where and When:
· Tues 8th Jan, Morrisons, Glasgow, Anniesland G13 1JD
· Wed 9th Jan, Morrisons, Middlesbrough, Berwick Hills TS3 7PB
· Thurs 10th Jan, Morrisons, Bradford Thornbury BD3 7HZ
· Fri 11th Jan, Morrisons, Liverpool Belle Vale L25 2XT
· Tues 15th Jan, Morrisons, Portsmouth Victory Park Retail Park PO1 4QP
· Wed 16th Jan, Morrisons, Bristol Cribbs Causeway BS10 7UD
· Thurs 17th Jan, Morrisons, Cardiff Sports Village CF11 0JP
· Fri 18th Jan, Morrisons, Birmingham Small Heath B10 0X
For further information, visit http://www.loveyourliver.org.uk/
Tagged in Alcohol Health Healthy Body drink