You Don't Get A Passing Grade When It Comes To Your Liver

March 12, 2005

http://www.ltvnews.com/viewarticle.php?id=438

LTVNEWS Wire

LTVNews.com

Tuesday, March 8 2005, 8:15PM

A striking portion of Canadians - some 80% of the population - mistakenly

believe that liver disease only affects those who

consume alcohol, according to a survey commissioned by the Canadian Liver

Foundation.

" There is a misconception that people with liver disease must drink too

much, " says Fagan, President and COO, Canadian Liver foundation. " The

liver suffers from a real identity crisis. It is like the Rodney Dangerfield

of the organs -- it gets no respect. Few Canadians are aware that there are

actually over 100 different forms of liver disease that can strike women,

children and men of any age. "

When asked what forms of liver disease come to mind, most survey

respondents indicated cirrhosis (48%), with significantly fewer mentioning

cancer (25%) and viral hepatitis (16%). Thirty six per cent of Canadians are

unable to name any specific forms of liver disease.

The most common forms of liver disease include gallstones, viral

hepatitis A, B and C, cirrhosis, cancer of the liver and some children's

liver diseases, with fatty liver disease being the most prevalent form of

the disease.

The survey also revealed many Canadians are not aware of all of the

factors that put their liver health at risk. While almost all Canadians,

97 per cent, believed that alcohol can affect liver health, fewer Canadians

recognized that medication, weight and genetics affect liver health.

According to a recent report, fatty liver disease, caused by being

overweight, is the number one cause of abnormal liver test results.

The survey also revealed that few people realize that the liver is a

complex organ critical to the body's healthy functioning and essential for

life. One in five (22%) are unsure of the liver's function altogether. " The

liver is the largest internal organ in the body and while most people see it

simply as a filter for alcohol, it's actually responsible for processing

virtually everything that is swallowed or inhaled and absorbed into the

bloodstream - which includes food, drinks, medications, vitamins and

chemicals, " states Dr. Vince Bain, Chairman of the Canadian Liver

Foundation's Medical Advisory Committee and Director of the Liver Unit,

University of Alberta. " The liver also helps to cleanse the body of toxins,

fight off infections and regulate energy levels, which contributes to

life-long health. "

In fact, when asked to identify the liver's main functions, the most

popular response was actually a function of the kidneys - 47 per cent of

respondents said filtering waste from the blood to produce urine. Less than

10 per cent of respondents were able to identify any of the liver's

important functions. In fact, the liver has over 500 functions. The main

ones include metabolizing alcohol and other chemicals, regulating the supply

of vitamins and minerals, and helping with digestion.

" All of the results of the survey point to the fact that Canadians

require more education about various liver diseases, who they affect and how

to protect the health of one's liver, " says Fagan. " Therefore it is

important for Canadians to get credible information and that is where the

Canadian Liver Foundation can be a great resource. "

March 12, 2005