It is caused when too much fat (triglycerides) builds up in the liver mainly because of poor eating habits and lack of physical activity. Fatty liver disease seems to develop in more boys than girls and can develop in children as young as 10 and even younger.
Although children and young adults can get fatty liver disease, it is most common in middle age.
The prevalence of NAFLD increased with age. Older patients with NAFLD had higher prevalence of advanced fibrosis and lean/normal weight than younger patients with NAFLD.
The overall prevalence of NAFLD among adolescents and young adults was 18.5%, ranging from 13.2% among early and middle adolescents (12-17 years) to 18.7% among late adolescents and young adults (18-24 years), to 24.0% among older young adults (25-30 years) (trend P < 0.001).
So, those who have been obese their whole lives are at risk in their 30s, or in some cases earlier. Cirrhosis from fatty liver is even seen in some adolescents.
Eating excess calories causes fat to build up in the liver. When the liver does not process and break down fats as it normally should, too much fat will accumulate. People tend to develop fatty liver if they have certain other conditions, such as obesity, diabetes or high triglycerides.
Although usually associated with excess body weight, it may also affect normal-weight individuals, a condition termed as lean/non-obese NAFLD. The prevalence of lean/non-obese NAFLD is around 20% within the NAFLD population, and 5% within the general population.
Fatty liver disease is treated with a combination of diet and exercise. With this regimen, the liver can heal itself and actually reverse the damage that has occurred over the years. Eat smaller portion sizes: The first step is to reduce portion sizes during meals.
Patients can live for many years with NAFLD, but many – about 30% – eventually end up with an inflamed liver or NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis), and scarring. Of these, about 20% will develop end-stage cirrhosis, which can lead to liver failure and cancer.
Will fatty liver disease kill you? Fatty liver disease doesn't cause major problems for most people. However, it can turn into a more serious problem if it progresses into cirrhosis of the liver. Untreated cirrhosis of the liver eventually leads to liver failure or liver cancer.
Increase physical activity by doing cardio and strength training exercises like weightlifting - these can increase basal metabolism to reduce the fat deposits.
Most people who have a body mass index (BMI) over 27 have fatty liver disease. People who gain weight in the abdomen are at greater risk than those who gain weight around their hips or shoulders.
According to the American Liver Foundation, there are no medical treatments – yet – for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. So that means that eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly are the best ways to both prevent liver damage from starting or reverse liver disease once it's in the early stages.
While there is no cure for NAFLD, it can be reversed. The longer it goes undiagnosed, however, the greater the chances of progressing to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a more severe form of NAFLD, which can be more difficult to reverse.
NAFLD treatment includes diet and exercise with a target 7–10% weight reduction. Treatment goals include improvements in liver fat content, liver inflammation, and fibrosis.
The liver typically contains some fat, but excessive buildup can cause fatty liver disease. Fatty liver disease can decrease liver function and lead to weight loss, fatigue, and swelling in the abdomen or belly.
Thin people still suffer from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, several causes of this problem have been implicated, such as high fructose intake, protein malnutrition (Kwashiorkor) as well as use of steatogenic drugs (amiodarone) , tamoxifen, methotrexate, prednisolone, etc.) and genetic predisposition.
If your midsection looks like a pot and your arms and legs are rather thin, you're likely to have a LIVER body type or liver belly.
Fatty liver is becoming more common as people eat more added sugars and added fats. About 1 in every 3 Australian adults has fatty liver disease.
NAFLD usually causes no signs and symptoms. When it does, they may include: Fatigue. Pain or discomfort in the upper right abdomen.
What tests do doctors use to diagnose NAFLD? Doctors use blood tests, imaging tests, and sometimes liver biopsy to diagnose NAFLD and to tell the difference between NAFL and NASH.
Losing weight may be especially difficult for people with fatty liver disease due to differences in their metabolism. But nonetheless, some can succeed and doing so improves liver health, according to studies presented at the AASLD Liver Meeting last week in Boston.