What is Fatty Liver Disease?

Fatty liver disease means too much fat has built up in the liver. A healthy liver contains a little fat, but when fat makes up more than about 5 to 10 percent of its weight, doctors call it fatty liver. It is one of the most common liver conditions in the world, and very common in India.

Two main kinds

• Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), earlier called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). It is linked to excess weight, diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
• Alcohol-related fatty liver, caused by regular heavy drinking.

Why it matters

Fatty liver is usually silent. Many people find out only from an ultrasound or a blood test done for something else. In most people it stays mild. In some, fat leads to inflammation (steatohepatitis), then scarring (fibrosis), and rarely cirrhosis or liver cancer. It also raises the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

The good news

In its early stages fatty liver can improve, and sometimes reverse, with weight loss, regular activity, healthy eating, good control of sugar and cholesterol, and no alcohol.

What to do

• See a doctor for tests such as liver blood tests, ultrasound or a FibroScan.
• Do not rely on herbs, "liver detox" products or supplements. Some herbal products can themselves injure the liver.
• Ayurveda describes related ideas under yakrit and medoroga. This is an interpretive view that can support lifestyle changes, not a substitute for medical care.

The pages that follow cover causes, symptoms, types, stages, home care, diet, medicines, prevention, treatment, yoga and complications.