Liver Disease and Alcohol Consumption

A number of my patients say, “but I only drink on weekends – why is my liver so inflamed?”

Some people try to monitor their alcohol intake and think it is safe to splurge on weekends. Binge drinking is just as damaging to the liver as daily drinking and can cause the same problems with blood glucose (sugar) levels.

Alcohol-dependent and non-alcohol dependent people process alcohol differently. When alcohol reaches the liver, it is changed into acetaldehyde, a harmful by-product of alcohol metabolism that can damage liver cells. Addictions to food and alcohol can produce alternative highs and lows.

The highs are feelings of wellbeing that occur when the body is supplied with the addictive substance; the lows are withdrawal symptoms.

• If you are not alcohol-dependent, keep your alcohol intake to a sensible level and give your liver a rest with LivaTone Plus.
• Don’t drink alcohol every day; try to go at least two days a week without alcohol.
• If you drink beer, choose a low strength or light beer.
• After a glass of alcohol have a glass of water to slow you down.
• Don’t drink on an empty stomach and eat something like crackers or bread before you start drinking.
• Men should keep to less than two standard drinks a day and women should keep to less than one standard drink per day.

How much are you drinking per day? 

If you are alcohol-dependent, you may decide to keep drinking even though your liver tells you it’s time to stop. Your liver knows you are heading for a disaster!

If you are vulnerable to alcohol you will most certainly become addicted in the future if you aren’t already.

True physical addiction cannot be managed into social drinking.

Since alcoholism is progressive, your drinking habits won’t improve; they won’t even stay the same. They will get worse. Your physical need for alcohol will gradually speak so loud that willpower cannot overcome it.  Willpower is soluble in alcohol!