People are being encouraged by the Council and NHS B&NES to sign up for a six week ‘Love Your Liver’ challenge for the chance to win a free session at Thermae Bath Spa.
The emphasis of the campaign is on showing people how making a few small changes to the way they drink alcohol can see the benefits roll in.
Already 100 people have signed up to the Love Your Liver challenge on the first day of the campaign.
Councillor David Dixon (Lib-Dem, Oldfield), Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “Bath & North East Somerset Council and NHS BANES are encouraging people to sign up for the ‘Love Your Liver’ challenge and discover how to protect their livers by making simple changes to their alcohol consumption. Many people are unaware that having one or two glasses of wine a day can increase your chances of damaging your health.”
Jodie Smith, the Council’s Project Officer for Alcohol Harm Reduction, added: “It is important to remember that you don’t have to get drunk to damage your liver – regular low level drinking can also cause harm.”
By sticking to the safe limits when drinking alcohol, making sure you have at least three alcohol-free days a week and leaving at least 24 hours after drinking before having alcohol again, people can protect their livers from damage. Benefits will also be seen in saving cash, not drinking those extra calories and feeling brighter and fresher the next day.
Dr Julia Maltby, Consultant Liver Specialist at Bath’s Royal United Hospital, said: “The ‘Love Your Liver’ campaign is so important. Too often, I meet people at a stage when the liver is already damaged. These are simple steps we can all take to help keep our livers healthy for life.”
Challengers can also follow the journey of local Bath woman Natalie Candy as she charts the highs and lows of her six week challenge on her blog http://www.lovemyliverbath.wordpress.com.
Natalie said: “I exercise three to four times a week and eat a well-balanced diet. I am generally aware of how I’m treating my body, but alcohol could be considered my weak spot and I tend to turn a blind eye to just how many empty calories alcohol contains. Therefore I look forward to taking up the six-week ‘Love Your Liver’ challenge to keep a check on exactly how many units I’m drinking.”
Dr Pamela Akerman, Director of Public Health, added: “The campaign intends to highlight that it is not about making short term drastic changes such as avoiding alcohol completely for a month, but rather making smaller sustainable changes like aiming for three alcohol-free days a week and giving it a rest for 24 hours between drinking.”
Alcohol abuse in Bath and North East Somerset is estimated to cost the local NHS £5 million while the costs of crime and disorder are £21million and £18 million on lost productivity. Alcohol abuse also results in profound suffering for families and friends.
Anyone who is keen to take up the challenge can register at http://www.ministryofcheer.org to get their free challenge pack. Everyone who registers for the challenge will be entered into a free prize draw for two tickets to Thermae Bath Spa as a reward.
Hints and tips:
- Do not exceed the recommended daily and weekly limits, 2-3 units per day for women (0-14 per week) and 3-4 units per day for men (0-21 per week).
- Abstain from alcohol for 24 – 48 hours between drinking alcohol
- Try for at least 3 alcohol-free days a week
- You don’t have to get drunk to cause damage – regular low level drinking can cause harm
- It’s not only people who are addicted to alcohol who can get liver or other diseases through drinking; it only takes a small amount regularly
- Liver disease is often silent until major damage has occurred. Speak to your GP if concerned
- To ensure liver health it is essential to limit alcohol intake, but also cut down on fatty food and exercise regularly
- Detoxing or cleansing will offer little or no health benefits especially if you resume drinking at the levels or frequency you were prior to starting a ‘detox’. It is healthier to make a change to the way you drink all year round.
