Fast Food is Harmful to the Liver

by Jim Golick CCN, LDN

Eating fast foods for one month can have a harmful effect on the liver as indicated by an elevation of certain liver enzymes.

Researchers in Sweden followed 12 men and six women in their twenties for one month. All volunteers were slim and in good health and ate two meals per day at McDonalds, Burger King or other fast-food restaurants. The goal of the study was to increase body weight by 10 to 15 percent.

Levels of a liver enzyme called ALT increased after only one week, and quadrupled on average over the entire period. Liver enzymes are evaluated in most routine blood work, including ALT (alanine aminotransferase).

In the majority of the volunteers, ALT rose to levels that reflected liver damage. Two of the individuals had fatty degeneration, which is the abnormal accumulation of fats within a cell, especially triglyceride fat.

This study demonstrates that high ALT levels can occur in a matter of weeks just due to frequent fast food consumption.

I highly recommend you also rent the 2004 movie, Super Size Me. It illustrates the rapid degeneration which occurred in a man who ate nothing but fast food for a month.

Parents, warn your children—and set a good example.