That's Fit

If your dad was obese when he was young, are you at a higher risk of liver disease? A recent study indicates you are.

The U.S. study, including over 1700 participants with an average age of 42, found that "people whose fathers were clinically obese at an early age were more likely to have increased liver enzyme levels, an indicator of liver disease." These findings held ground regardless of the subject's BMI, indicating that the father's weight truly is a factor.

Being overweight to the point of obesity can cause a host of health problems: type II diabetes, increased risk of heart disease, joint problems, etc. But did you know that being obese can also affect how your body handles certain medications and in some cases even make them toxic?

The root of the problem seems to be in the liver. When a person becomes obese, liver enzymes often change due to increased fat in the organ's cells. This changes the way the liver metabolizes some medications and can make them dangerous. Though two of the three medications mentioned in this article are not commonly used (one is a powerful antibiotic only used in hospitals and the other is a diuretic), acetaminophen, a common pain reliever, is one of the drugs experts are worried about.

I was surprised to learn that half of the liver transplants that take place in America are necessary because of acetaminophen poisoning leading to liver failure. That means that people with obesity whose livers are affected could be at risk of acetaminophen toxicity if they take the drug in large doses.

The good news is that losing weight protects not only your heart, but all of your organs, including your liver. One more reason to choose well when you're planning your meals today!