Before you put your blinker on to turn into the drive-through, you should consider what fast food is really doing for your body. Sure, it might satisfy that immediate craving, but eating fast food on a regular basis can pack on the extra calories, fat, sodium and sugar. Not only are these substances detrimental to your physique, they also put stress on important internal organs like your heart, and even your liver.
Liver Function Tests
Your liver plays a vital role in processing and detoxifying medications, substances and nutrients. There are several tests that reflect how well your liver functions including albumin, alpha-1 antitrypsin, ALP, ALT, AST, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), prothrombin time, serum bilirubin and urine bilirubin. The main liver enzymes are ALT, alanine transaminase and AST, aspartate aminotransferase. During occurrences of hepatitis, defined as inflammation of the liver; or cirrhosis, scarring of the liver, these enzymes will be elevated. High AST and ALT levels can also be the result of heavy drinking, pregnancy, medications, pancreatitis and even fast food consumption.
Effects of Fast Food
Fast food meals tend to be high in simple carbohydrates, sodium, cholesterol and saturated fat. Eating a lot of fast food is directly correlated with unhealthy weight gain and elevated ALT levels in otherwise healthy subjects. A 2008 study in "Gut, an International Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology" found that after adopting a sedentary lifestyle and eating fast food for two meals a day, previously healthy participants exhibited ALT levels above the normal range. This effect is likely due to high fat and sugar intake. While in the long term, obesity is associated with development of fatty liver disease, high ALT was seen in this study after only four weeks of fast-food eating.
Fast Food Options
The combination of ingredients in most fast-food meals can be a recipe for impaired liver function. However, avoiding fast food is not the be-all and end-all when it comes to diet and liver health. Eating excessive amounts of food and calories can have similar detrimental effects, regardless of the source. If you are in a rush and fast food is your only option, check out the menu online and look for healthier choices. Many chains now offer salads, and healthier sides like apple slices or yogurt parfaits. Downsize fries, soda and dessert, or skip them altogether. Choose milk to drink or grab a bottle of water instead.
Be Prepared to Stay Healthy
Other than making better menu choices, try to be prepared for long car rides by packing healthy snacks. Bring peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, fruit, veggie sticks and high-fiber snack bars to help deter the temptation of fast food. If your liver enzymes are elevated, talk to your doctor to pinpoint the cause. Coming up with strategies to decrease your fast food intake will not only benefit your liver, but also free up room in your diet for more nutritious foods.
References
- Bastyr Center for Natural Health: Love Your Liver? Skip the Fast Food
- NIH Medline Plus: Liver Function Tests
- "Gut, an International Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology"; Fast-Food-Based Hyper-Alimentation Can Induce Rapid and Profound Elevation of Serum Alanine Aminotransferase in Healthy Subjects; Kechagias, S.; et. al.; 2008
