Every third Indian has a fatty liver. If you’re quietly thinking that fatty liver disease, which causes the liver to swell with dangerous levels of fat, is not going to happen to you because you don’t drink, you’re wrong. Even a teenager can get it, and it can progress to a more severe condition called non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, or NASH, which is a leading cause of liver cancer, cirrhosis, and liver transplants. But there’s a silver — it can be reversed in the early stages.
STOP ITS PROGRESS:-
A recent global study, involving over 40 researchers, revealed that the global prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is 30.2%. India has an even higher rate of 33%. It is more prevalent among Indian women (38%) compared to men (33%).
That a meta-analysis of 479 studies with over 70 million from 38 countries, shows NAFLD as a leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. NAFLD happens due to various factors like excessive weight gain, high blood sugar levels, high cholesterol or elevated triglycerides, with 50-75% of those with type 2 diabetes may have NAFLD, and around 90% of those with both diabetes and obesity are likely to have this condition. “NAFLD can progress to cirrhosis and even liver cancer in some people.” Adding that drugs like semaglutide are very effective in weight loss and have shown to reverse fatty liver.
Managing diabetes effectively and taking medication to control cholesterol and trigylceride levels is crucial to control fatty liver disease in such patients. Grade 2 or Grade 3 fatty liver disease can almost be reversed through lifestyle and dietary changes — and studies show that weight loss of more than 3% of body weight can significantly reduce liver fat.
THIN-FAT FACTOR:-
A diet of deep-fried food, sugary beverages (especially with high fructose corn syrup), fruit juices, refined carbs, etc is to blame. “A sedentary lifestyle worsens the issue.”
But it’s not just the obese who have fatty liver. “We’re seeing a high incidence of ‘lean NAFLD’ or TOFI (Thin Outside, Fat Inside) syndrome whereby many young Indians with normal BMI are developing fatty liver.” “The PNPLA3 gene variant, which increases the risk of liver fat accumulation, is more prevalent in South Asian populations, including Indians. This combined with lifestyle, is a recipe for fatty liver disease in young Indians. What was once an illness seen in people in their fifties is now common among people in their twenties and thirties. I’ve even seen fatty liver cases among kids as young as 8.”
JUNK THE JUNK:-
“Can you imagine an Indian household without the 4 pm-chai-biscuit ritual? These small indulgences, coupled with sugary drinks, are essentially liver bombs.” Experts say prevention and reversal are important.
RISK FACTORS OF FATTY LIVER DISEASE:-
- Type 2 diabetes/Insulin resistance
- Abdominal obesity
- Hyperlipidemia
- Genetic factors
- Sleep Apnea
- Alcohol
- Junk food and nutrition
- Sedentary lifestyle
- High Blood Pressure
