Weight loss can help head off lasting damage caused by fatty liver

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is the most common cause of liver disease in the United States, and is estimated to affect up to a quarter of adults in the world. It is defined by excess fat accumulating in the liver and usually occurs in people with obesity, high blood sugars (diabetes), abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels, or high blood pressure. These disorders often run together and as a group are called metabolic syndrome. The “non-alcoholic” part of “non-alcoholic fatty liver disease” is important to distinguish it from alcohol-related liver disease, which can also cause excess liver fat. How fat can damage the liver In some people, the excess fat sits in the liver but may not cause any liver damage. However, in about one in 20 people, excess liver fat triggers chronic liver inflammation. This condition is called non-alcoholic steatohepatitis or NASH (“steato-“ means relating to fat and “hepatitis” means liver inflammation). As with other liver disease, such as viral hepatitis or alcohol-related liver disease, chronic inflammation can cause ongoing damage, which leads to liver scarring known as fibrosis. Severe fibrosis is called cirrhosis regardless of the cause. People with cirrhosis are at risk for liver failure and liver cancer, and may need liver transplantation. Diagnosing fatty liver The key to preventing complications of NASH is to catch it early and treat it before the liver has sustained significant damage. Early diagnosis is tricky; ...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Diet and Weight Loss Digestive Disorders Source Type: blogs