12 ms·

Not an MD, but in my experience this seems a question that MDs don't like to answer - for good reason. (I.e. if I understood your question correctly) There is

by bipson 5y ago

Not an MD, but in my experience this seems a question that MDs don't like to answer - for good reason. (I.e. if I understood your question correctly) There is so much individuality involved (genetics, history, liver health in general), and so much "it depends" (amount of alcohol, size of liver, food intake, ...) that you cannot possibly stick a definitive number to that question. Also, the question seems dangerous: What are you going to do with an answer? Drink to a certain limit, in good conscience?

michaelt 5y ago
> What are you going to do with an answer? Drink to a certain limit, in good conscience? I'm doing that already.
- bipson 5y ago
  EDIT: I realized that I am maybe a little sensitive, and the question could be read the other way round, giving the liver enough time to recover between two occasional (small) intakes. That is actually an interesting question. Leaving original answer (but please don't be triggered by me failing to read the question correctly): And you're free to do so. But don't expect an absolution from a health professional, in the form of a number that is "always entirely safe, under all circumstances". Alcohol is essentially a poison for the body, which he can tolerate quite well in respectable amounts, compared to other toxins (we can actually "buffer" a certain amount AFAIK). But talking about lesions in liver tissue growing back without scarring or long-lasting consequences is really out of the safe zone if you ask me. So your questions is clearly rubbing me the wrong way. Also, sometimes your liver can be weakened or inflamed (without you realizing), and then obviously every drop counts.
  - sgt101 5y ago
    Thank you for trying to answer in good faith! I will say that early in my life I saw some extremely healthy and clean living friends killed by events and disease and I learned that we all only have a short time to live, despite the promises and absolutions we might get from doctors or priests. However, there is a difference between taking some risks and risking your life - and I guess that exploiting drugs, and sex, and rock and roll for pleasure can be in either category. There isn't a safe zone - even complete abstinence isn't safe.... It's interesting to think what change in attitude and advice the existance of a "safe zone" would create - if medicine could really save us (allow us to live reliably much longer), if only we didn't do silly things. I sometimes think that a lot of folks operate as if that were true now, and get shocked when it turns out that it isn't. There are so many stories that start with "he used to run three times a week, never smoked and then..."
    - bipson 5y ago
      There is a saying where my folks are from: "Dying from fear of death will just as well kill you". But what I learned the last few years is that I don't miss the things that I thought were "living" when I was young. Drinking or "Nights out" is one of them. Also: Everything "Internet" (Netflix, Youtube, News, ...). Especially when it actually hinders me from experiencing life (it will steal your day). That does not mean I regret anything. I made my experiences, everyone should, I think this is an important part of growing up for a lot of people. Nowadays, eating healthy/well, exercise, etc. are the things that make me feel more alive and well - these are the things that make life "better". But also I have two small kids, so there is no time and space for all these "silly things". And for the same reason I eat to much crap and don't exercise nearly enough for my taste. And I watch way too much YouTube. Moral: Do your best and try to enjoy it. Nobody can tell you if the bus is waiting for you the next corner. But wether it changes anything if you are drunk at the time is up to you.
watwut 5y ago
Another reason is that MD are not simultaneously experts on nutrition and alcohol. What are exacts safe amounts for this or that is not all that large part of their education. > Also, the question seems dangerous: What are you going to do with an answer? Drink to a certain limit, in good conscience? That is actually useful question with useful answer.

by bipson 5y ago

michaelt 5y ago

> What are you going to do with an answer? Drink to a certain limit, in good conscience? I'm doing that already.

bipson 5y ago
EDIT: I realized that I am maybe a little sensitive, and the question could be read the other way round, giving the liver enough time to recover between two occasional (small) intakes. That is actually an interesting question. Leaving original answer (but please don't be triggered by me failing to read the question correctly): And you're free to do so. But don't expect an absolution from a health professional, in the form of a number that is "always entirely safe, under all circumstances". Alcohol is essentially a poison for the body, which he can tolerate quite well in respectable amounts, compared to other toxins (we can actually "buffer" a certain amount AFAIK). But talking about lesions in liver tissue growing back without scarring or long-lasting consequences is really out of the safe zone if you ask me. So your questions is clearly rubbing me the wrong way. Also, sometimes your liver can be weakened or inflamed (without you realizing), and then obviously every drop counts.
- sgt101 5y ago
  Thank you for trying to answer in good faith! I will say that early in my life I saw some extremely healthy and clean living friends killed by events and disease and I learned that we all only have a short time to live, despite the promises and absolutions we might get from doctors or priests. However, there is a difference between taking some risks and risking your life - and I guess that exploiting drugs, and sex, and rock and roll for pleasure can be in either category. There isn't a safe zone - even complete abstinence isn't safe.... It's interesting to think what change in attitude and advice the existance of a "safe zone" would create - if medicine could really save us (allow us to live reliably much longer), if only we didn't do silly things. I sometimes think that a lot of folks operate as if that were true now, and get shocked when it turns out that it isn't. There are so many stories that start with "he used to run three times a week, never smoked and then..."
  - bipson 5y ago
    There is a saying where my folks are from: "Dying from fear of death will just as well kill you". But what I learned the last few years is that I don't miss the things that I thought were "living" when I was young. Drinking or "Nights out" is one of them. Also: Everything "Internet" (Netflix, Youtube, News, ...). Especially when it actually hinders me from experiencing life (it will steal your day). That does not mean I regret anything. I made my experiences, everyone should, I think this is an important part of growing up for a lot of people. Nowadays, eating healthy/well, exercise, etc. are the things that make me feel more alive and well - these are the things that make life "better". But also I have two small kids, so there is no time and space for all these "silly things". And for the same reason I eat to much crap and don't exercise nearly enough for my taste. And I watch way too much YouTube. Moral: Do your best and try to enjoy it. Nobody can tell you if the bus is waiting for you the next corner. But wether it changes anything if you are drunk at the time is up to you.

watwut 5y ago

Another reason is that MD are not simultaneously experts on nutrition and alcohol. What are exacts safe amounts for this or that is not all that large part of their education. > Also, the question seems dangerous: What are you going to do with an answer? Drink to a certain limit, in good conscience? That is actually useful question with useful answer.