Fatty liver, which is basically the overaccumulation of fat within the liver, occurs when we become obese and continue to overeat. To better understand this disease, certain terms need to be defined.
MASLD, formally called non-alcohol-associated liver disease, is the accumulation of fat within each liver cell. This fat inhibits liver cells from functioning properly, leading to the accumulation of free fatty acids. These free fatty acids are highly reactive molecules that seek to become stable by stripping an electron from adjacent molecules, usually oxygen, thereby forming reactive oxygen species. This reactive oxygen circulates throughout the body, stimulating the immune system, which in turn damages more liver cells and other organs such as the heart.
If MASLD progresses, it becomes an active hepatitis called MASH. This hepatitis causes an even greater inflammatory response, which then kills more liver cells, causing scarring. Scarring of the liver, known as fibrosis, progresses to the end stage, which will be either cirrhosis or liver cancer. If that wasn’t bad enough, MASH, because of its inflammatory nature, leads to a 250% increase in cardiovascular problems.
Unfortunately, these conditions are extremely common. Approximately 33% of US adults, equivalent to 86 million people, have MASLD, making it the most common chronic liver disease in our country. Even more worrisome is that 70% of overweight Americans have MASLD, which is becoming more common as it parallels the development of our worsening obesity. MASH, the more severe form of the disease, affects 5 to 10% of the general adult population, with 35% of individuals with type 2 diabetes having this severe MASH.
The probability of your having either MASLD or MASH is easily calculated using the FIB-4 test from routine lab work commonly done in your doctor’s office. The FIB-4 test result will guide your doctor in determining the next step in the workup. More on the diagnosis and treatment of these liver diseases will be discussed next week.
Dr. Charlie Barnett is a contributor to KnoxTNToday, where he writes a weekly column, DocTalk, sharing his expertise on health and wellness management.
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I know someone who completely healed fatty liver. She stopped taking Statins, started consuming a Tbsp of extra virgin oil oil daily, added Turmeric, green tea, milk thistle, dandelion, coq10, and organic fruits and veggies. Baked Salmon and Chicken. She was in big trouble from years of taking strong drugs for rheumatiod arthritis (methotrexate) and was close to being past the point of recovery. Also, FIJI water replaced Dr Pepper. Any alkaline water is good.