5 things you should know about non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

A lot of people think that fatty liver disease is a condition that occurs when they drink too much alcohol. However, consumption of alcohol is not the only thing that puts an individual at risk, there are more ways in which it can occur.
The largest organ in the human body is the liver. The liver, which is situated in the upper-right region of the abdomen, has many functions, including purifying blood / detoxifying blood that passes through the digestive system before it is circulated throughout the body.The liver transforms vitamins, minerals, and medication into forms the body can use, along with detoxifying and breaking down frequently toxic substances like alcohol.

Millions of people worldwide are impacted by Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), a rising health concern. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a buildup of excess fat in the liver cells. A certain amount of fat in the liver is normal, but when the fat percentage of the liver exceeds 5 to 10 percent, it is referred to as "fatty liver" or steatosis. Various non-alcoholic causes, such as high blood triglyceride levels, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol, can result in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Also, poor diet , a sedentary lifestyle, and specific genetic predispositions are risk factors.


According to Dr Harshal Rajekar, Consultant - Surgical Gastroenterology, Manipal Hospital, Kharadi, Pune, “NAFLD is asymptomatic, symptoms occur only when there is beginning of liver disease. When symptoms occur, they can consist of fatigue, pain in the abdomen, and an enlarged liver. Blood tests, imaging modalities such as ultrasound, and even liver biopsies to determine the degree of liver damage are commonly used in the diagnosis process.”
That’s why screening is important. Fatty liver should not be neglected, most NAFLD can be reversed, but ignoring may lead to progressive liver damage.


The primary treatment for NAFD is lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet like the Mediterranean diet and gradually losing weight through portion control and restricting calories. Although there are no specific medications for NAFLD, managing associated conditions like diabetes and high cholesterol can help the person. In serious situations, bariatric surgery can be an option for people with considerable obesity who have not lost weight through changes in their lifestyles. For advanced liver disease progressing to cirrhosis, a liver transplant might be necessary.
Restricting high carbohydrate intake, especially in the form of processed foods, is important. Refined flour i.e. maida is 100 percent carbs, so give up the biscuits, bakery items, namkeen and sweets. Intake of the above should only be occasional.

Exercise is important, 30 min everyday is required to utilize the calories we consume. Reduce the evening calories intake. Evening calories are usually only stored contributing to the NAFLD.

It is possible to reverse fatty liver disease with a mix of exercise and diet. Over time, the liver can repair itself and reverse the damage. Important actions include consuming fewer calories overall, cutting down on alcohol, and eating smaller meals. Though individual outcomes can differ, cutting back on daily calories by approximately 150 can result in a progressive weight loss of about 1 pound each month. Exercise is important for further weight loss; although effects can be observed with a 3-5% drop in body weight, the goal is to lose approximately 10% of body weight.
Although there is no known medical treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), it can be prevented and managed with proper weight control, dietary modifications, and regular exercise.