Shorter Legs Linked To Liver Disease

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Shorter Legs Linked To Liver Disease

ScienceDaily (Jan. 3, 2008) — Short legs are linked to an increased risk of

liver disease, suggests a new study. The research contributes to a growing body

of evidence on the link between leg length and health.

The findings are based on almost 4300 women between the ages of 60 and 79, who

had been randomly selected from 23 British towns.

Standing and seated height were measured to include leg and trunk length, and

blood samples were taken to measure levels of four liver enzymes, ALT, GGT, AST

and ALP.

These enzymes indicate how well the liver is working and whether it has been

damaged. ALP is also an indicator of bone disease, such as osteoporosis.

The women were also quizzed in detail about their medical history, lifestyle,

and social class, all of which are likely to influence health and stature.

Complete information was available for just over 3600 of the women.

The analysis showed that the longer the leg length, the lower were levels of

ALT, GGT, and ALP. ALT levels, in particular, were lowest among the women with

the longest legs.

ALT and ALP were highest among those women with the shortest trunk length.

The findings held true after adjusting for influential factors such as age,

childhood social class, adult alcohol consumption, exercise, and smoking.

And the results remained the same after excluding those women who already had

liver cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or osteoporosis.

“Our interpretation of the results is that childhood exposures, such as good

nutrition that influence growth patterns also influence liver development and

therefore levels of liver enzymes in adulthood and/or the propensity for liver

damage,” say the authors.

Greater height may boost the size of the liver, which may decrease enzyme levels

so ensuring that the liver is able to withstand chemical onslaught much more

effectively, they add.

There may also be factors in common with the increased risks of other diseases,

as ALT, GGT, AST and ALP are also associated with diabetes and cardiovascular

disease, they say.

Journal reference: The association between height components (leg and trunk

length) and adult levels of liver enzymes J Epidemiol Community Health 2007; 62:

48-53

Adapted from materials provided by British Medical Journal.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071220235152.htm

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[Guest guest]

Shorter Legs Linked To Liver Disease

ScienceDaily (Jan. 3, 2008) — Short legs are linked to an increased risk of

liver disease, suggests a new study. The research contributes to a growing body

of evidence on the link between leg length and health.

The findings are based on almost 4300 women between the ages of 60 and 79, who

had been randomly selected from 23 British towns.

Standing and seated height were measured to include leg and trunk length, and

blood samples were taken to measure levels of four liver enzymes, ALT, GGT, AST

and ALP.

These enzymes indicate how well the liver is working and whether it has been

damaged. ALP is also an indicator of bone disease, such as osteoporosis.

The women were also quizzed in detail about their medical history, lifestyle,

and social class, all of which are likely to influence health and stature.

Complete information was available for just over 3600 of the women.

The analysis showed that the longer the leg length, the lower were levels of

ALT, GGT, and ALP. ALT levels, in particular, were lowest among the women with

the longest legs.

ALT and ALP were highest among those women with the shortest trunk length.

The findings held true after adjusting for influential factors such as age,

childhood social class, adult alcohol consumption, exercise, and smoking.

And the results remained the same after excluding those women who already had

liver cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or osteoporosis.

“Our interpretation of the results is that childhood exposures, such as good

nutrition that influence growth patterns also influence liver development and

therefore levels of liver enzymes in adulthood and/or the propensity for liver

damage,” say the authors.

Greater height may boost the size of the liver, which may decrease enzyme levels

so ensuring that the liver is able to withstand chemical onslaught much more

effectively, they add.

There may also be factors in common with the increased risks of other diseases,

as ALT, GGT, AST and ALP are also associated with diabetes and cardiovascular

disease, they say.

Journal reference: The association between height components (leg and trunk

length) and adult levels of liver enzymes J Epidemiol Community Health 2007; 62:

48-53

Adapted from materials provided by British Medical Journal.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071220235152.htm

_________________________________________________________________

Share life as it happens with the new Windows Live.

http://www.windowslive.com/share.html?ocid=TXT_TAGHM_Wave2_sharelife_122007