Cirrhosis Support Group
Cirrhosis is a consequence of chronic liver disease, most commonly caused by alcoholism and hepatitis C. Ascites is the most common complication of cirrhosis and is associated with a poor quality of life, increased risk of infections, and a poor long term outcome. Liver damage from cirrhosis cannot be reversed, but treatment can stop or delay further progression and...
First time I have heard of this
thought I was up to date on the causes
Drinkers in soft water areas at higher risk of liver disease, warns George Best's surgeon
By JO MACFARLANE
PUBLISHED: 22:00, 8 September 2012 | UPDATED: 22:00, 8 September 2012
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Cure: Prof Roger Williams says the Government should add magnesium to water supplies to combat liver disease
People who live in areas with soft water are more likely to develop alcoholic liver disease (ALD) than those elsewhere, according to one of the worlds most eminent specialists.
Professor Roger Williams wants the Government to medicate the water supply to combat the effects after his research revealed the danger.
A paper co-authored by Prof Williams, who helped carry out the UKs first liver transplant in 1968 and was George Bests surgeon, found those living in soft-water areas may be more at risk because of lower levels of magnesium. The mineral can help to protect the liver from alcohol.
It is the first time a link between water softness and the disease has been established.
The study examined hospital admissions in 28 English regions between 2003 and 2006.
The six areas with soft water Lancashire, Birmingham, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, the South West and County Durham had rates of alcoholic liver disease 21 per cent above the national average.
But the 13 areas with hard water including South London, Essex, Shropshire and Staffordshire had rates 13 per cent below the average.
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The research may also explain why rates of the disease in Scotland are almost double those in England, despite average alcohol consumption being approximately the same. Most water is soft north of the border.
While the call to add protective magnesium to the water supply will be controversial, there is increasing concern at a deteriorating health situation.
Patient: George with his then wife Alex when he was admitted to hospital for liver disease. Best, who died in 2005, was treated by Prof Williams
Liver-disease deaths in England as a whole have risen to record levels. Prof Williams, director of the Institute of Hepatology, said: We have never understood why some people will consume large amounts of alcohol and be unscathed while others drink more moderately and develop ALD.
These results suggest for the first time that the water supply may be a significant factor in explaining this anomaly. Perhaps we should supplement the water supply with magnesium.
Andrew Langford, chief executive of the British Liver Trust charity, said: Treating the water supply would be controversial but, if explained properly to the population, I think most people would say, If its protecting the health of my liver then whats the problem?
However, campaigners who have opposed adding fluoride to the water supply are likely to oppose any proposed new measure.
John Graham, spokesman for the National Pure Water Association, said: This sounds like nonsense. Why would we want to dose all of the water and all of the population for a tiny number of people who have a problem with alcohol?
Recommending supplements for those at risk seems much more sensible.
The content of drinking water is affected by local geology and the minerals that seep into it.
MOST READ NEWS
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2200318/Drinkers-soft-water-areas-higher-risk-liver-disease-warns-George-Bests-surgeon.html#ixzz269B6byDz
thought I was up to date on the causes
Drinkers in soft water areas at higher risk of liver disease, warns George Best's surgeon
By JO MACFARLANE
PUBLISHED: 22:00, 8 September 2012 | UPDATED: 22:00, 8 September 2012
Comments (35)
Share
Cure: Prof Roger Williams says the Government should add magnesium to water supplies to combat liver disease
People who live in areas with soft water are more likely to develop alcoholic liver disease (ALD) than those elsewhere, according to one of the worlds most eminent specialists.
Professor Roger Williams wants the Government to medicate the water supply to combat the effects after his research revealed the danger.
A paper co-authored by Prof Williams, who helped carry out the UKs first liver transplant in 1968 and was George Bests surgeon, found those living in soft-water areas may be more at risk because of lower levels of magnesium. The mineral can help to protect the liver from alcohol.
It is the first time a link between water softness and the disease has been established.
The study examined hospital admissions in 28 English regions between 2003 and 2006.
The six areas with soft water Lancashire, Birmingham, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, the South West and County Durham had rates of alcoholic liver disease 21 per cent above the national average.
But the 13 areas with hard water including South London, Essex, Shropshire and Staffordshire had rates 13 per cent below the average.
More...
Minimum alcohol price could save lives of 50,000 binge-drinking pensioners
How heavy drinking could add 2,000 a year to your pension
Red wine IS good for cutting blood pressure (but you need to take out the alcohol)
The research may also explain why rates of the disease in Scotland are almost double those in England, despite average alcohol consumption being approximately the same. Most water is soft north of the border.
While the call to add protective magnesium to the water supply will be controversial, there is increasing concern at a deteriorating health situation.
Patient: George with his then wife Alex when he was admitted to hospital for liver disease. Best, who died in 2005, was treated by Prof Williams
Liver-disease deaths in England as a whole have risen to record levels. Prof Williams, director of the Institute of Hepatology, said: We have never understood why some people will consume large amounts of alcohol and be unscathed while others drink more moderately and develop ALD.
These results suggest for the first time that the water supply may be a significant factor in explaining this anomaly. Perhaps we should supplement the water supply with magnesium.
Andrew Langford, chief executive of the British Liver Trust charity, said: Treating the water supply would be controversial but, if explained properly to the population, I think most people would say, If its protecting the health of my liver then whats the problem?
However, campaigners who have opposed adding fluoride to the water supply are likely to oppose any proposed new measure.
John Graham, spokesman for the National Pure Water Association, said: This sounds like nonsense. Why would we want to dose all of the water and all of the population for a tiny number of people who have a problem with alcohol?
Recommending supplements for those at risk seems much more sensible.
The content of drinking water is affected by local geology and the minerals that seep into it.
MOST READ NEWS
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2200318/Drinkers-soft-water-areas-higher-risk-liver-disease-warns-George-Bests-surgeon.html#ixzz269B6byDz
I thought it was disgusting. Water tasted strange and had a slimy feel to it. Grandmother thought it was great, less soap, dishes were cleaner, whatever, it was still gross. Felt like taking a shower in mineral oil, just very strange.
I think the minerals and other elements in regular water are probably good for us. Isolated areas as mentioned above like the UK should probably go back to regular water systems.
Never knew entire cities/counties could have soft water, thought it was an individual choice where the homeowner chose to treat their water or not.
But then again, cities do treat their water to remove arsenic and other poisons along with adding flouride depending on where you live.
Humans and other animals evolved with "natural" water. Our bodies need the minerals and other elements, they shouldn't be removed unless they're obviously harmful.