Flourish Health & Wellbeing eMag - Latest Edition - Flipbook - Page 7
cell damage. MASH can
lead to 昀椀brosis, which
is scarring of the liver.
The more scarring that
develops, the greater
the risk of cirrhosis
and serious liver
complications.
How common is fatty
liver disease?
Fatty liver disease is one
of the most common liver
conditions in the world,
yet many people have
never heard of it until it
appears on a blood test
or scan. It can sound
alarming, but the good
news is that in many
cases, fatty liver disease
can be improved and
even reversed with the
right lifestyle changes and
medical support.
Put simply, fatty liver
disease happens when
excess fat builds up
inside the liver. The liver
naturally contains some
fat, but when too much
accumulates, it can
interfere with how the
liver works. Over time, this
can lead to in昀氀ammation,
scarring and, in more
serious cases, liver failure
or liver cancer.
A changing name for a
growing condition
For many years, this
condition was commonly
known as non-alcoholic
fatty liver disease, or
NAFLD. More recently,
international liver
experts have updated
the terminology. The
condition is now often
referred to as metabolic
dysfunction associated
steatotic liver disease, or
MASLD.
The name change is
important because it
better re昀氀ects what is
happening in the body.
This is not simply about
fat in the liver, nor is
it only about alcohol.
It is closely linked
with metabolic health,
including weight, blood
sugar, cholesterol, blood
pressure and insulin
resistance.
There is also a
more serious form
called metabolic
dysfunction associated
steatohepatitis, or MASH.
This occurs when fat
build-up in the liver causes
in昀氀ammation and liver
Fatty liver disease has
become a major global
health issue. Research
suggests that around
one in three adults
worldwide may have
some form of fatty liver
disease, with rates rising
alongside obesity, type 2
diabetes and increasingly
sedentary lifestyles.
The numbers are
signi昀椀cant. Global studies
have estimated that fatty
liver disease affects more
than 30% of adults, and
some research shows
prevalence has increased
substantially over recent
decades. It is particularly
common in people living
with obesity, type 2
diabetes, high cholesterol
and high blood pressure.
This is why fatty
liver disease is often
described as a “silent
epidemic”. It is common,
it is increasing, and in
many cases, people do
not know they have it.
