University of Louisville research explores environmental factors influencing alcohol-related liver damage

A recent study by the University of Louisville sheds light on why some individuals who consume alcohol develop severe liver issues, while others remain unaffected. The research suggests that common environmental chemicals, such as PFAS found in items like food packaging, water-resistant clothing, and nonstick cookware—present in approximately 95% of Americans—may play a significant role. As alcohol consumption increases nationwide, scientists emphasize the importance of understanding how exposure to these persistent pollutants interacts with alcohol intake to impact liver health. The study's findings indicate that simultaneous exposure to alcohol and chemicals like PFOS can exacerbate liver damage, interfere with metabolic processes, and activate genes linked to cancer development. Dr. Matthew Cave, a professor of medicine at UofL, explained that environmental exposures could be the missing factor explaining the variability in liver outcomes among drinkers. Meanwhile, Dr. Frederick Ekuban highlighted that these environmental chemicals might overwhelm the liver's capacity to recover from alcohol-induced stress, leading to more severe damage. To mitigate exposure risks, experts re...