Fried foods have similar impact on your liver as hepatitis

(CBS News) There are 160,000 fast food restaurants in the United States, serving over 50 million customers daily and the bulk of the food offerings are loaded with calories from fat and added sugar.

"We're all guilty, and every now and then you have to splurge, but the problem is that so many people are getting into eating fast food, especially kids, as their staple, and I think that's the point," said Dr. Drew Ordon of "The Doctors" and author of the book, "Better in 7."

"The Doctors" revealed study findings that found regular consumption of fast food items like fried chicken and onion rings are particularly bad for your liver, and these fried foods have many surprising complications and dangers for the people that consume them.

"The amount of fat and saturated fats creates a condition called fatty liver," said Ordon.

What's interesting about the new information is that even after just a month of consistently eating fatty foods from fast food restaurants, there are significant changes in your liver. The fried foods do not just impact your cholesterol and waist line.

Ordon describes the changes in the liver enzymes as being surprisingly similar to the damage that is seen by hepatitis, which can ultimately lead to liver failure.

They found that french fries, in particular, are one of the most dangerous foods, because of all the added ingredients to the potato.

"We know that they are adding salt, and cooking it in fat, but they're also putting sugar on them too. Why sugar? Because it helps get them golden crispy," advised Ordon. "It's three strikes."

He also warns that consumers should be wary of items at fast food establishments marked healthy or fresh because there aren't clear regulations for these items, and the food can often have added chemicals, especially salads.

"Some places actually put propylene glycol on the salads, which is anti-freeze, the reason behind that is that it prevents wilting," said Ordon. "And although they say a little anti-freeze isn't going to hurt you, obviously given a choice you don't want to be eating anti-freeze."