Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or "fatty liver" is common. It affects approximately 75 to 100 million adults in the United States. That is 25% to 45% of all US adults. NAFLD, or fatty liver, is the leading cause of chronic liver disease. This is becoming more so prevalent because of the ongoing epidemic of obesity and metabolic syndrome.
"I hope to add real value to social media and share what my patients ask me about." — Dr. Dooreck
Gut Health ➕ Patient Advocacy with Navigation ➕ Life BalanceIf you were looking for information about Private Healthcare Navigation and Patient Advocacy from Executive Health NavigationClick here for Executive Health Navigation
Having served as doctors for over a decade, we help Family Offices, Private Individuals, Registered Investment Advisors, High-Net-Worth Advisors, and C-Suites navigate the healthcare system for their select clients/families, providing privacy and discretion.
Private Healthcare Navigation and Patient Advocacy when YOU need it mostAlmost every 3rd American is affected by liver conditions nowadays. How can we explain the high rate of liver disease patients in the United States?
Approximately "25% to 45% of US adults" have Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or "fatty liver."
NAFLD is the liver (hepatic) manifestation of metabolic syndrome. According to the Mayo Clinic, "Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that occur together, increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. These conditions include increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels."
What is Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)?
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is when there is a presence of at least 5% hepatic steatosis (fat) on liver biopsy without evidence of hepatocellular injury. Risk factors of NAFLD are insulin resistance, obesity, and, as mentioned above, metabolic syndrome.
What is Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)?
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a subset of NAFLD. It is a more progressive and more advanced form of fatty liver disease. There is a greater risk of fibrosis (scarring) and eventual cirrhosis (end-stage liver disease) that carries complications that can lead to high morbidity and mortality (death).
Body Mass Index (BMI)
"Current estimates suggest that approximately 68% of all US adults meet body mass index criteria for being overweight or obese."
What is the big deal of having a "fatty liver"?
Because "fatty liver" can progress from NAFLD to NASH. Then the risk of liver-specific morbidity (complications) and mortality (death) increases by 50 to 80 in patients with advanced fibrosis related to NASH. For this reason, correctly diagnosing and staging is critical for disease monitoring and prognosis.
Diagnosing NAFLD
A liver biopsy is the gold standard. However, noninvasive means include ultrasound, blood testing, elastography, and other radiographic options, like MRI studies. The early diagnosis and a sense of the severity of hepatic steatosis (fatty liver) may prompt further evaluation and more aggressive management of metabolic comorbidities, such as obesity, diabetes, etc.
It’s important to maintain a healthy weight, focus on eating a healthy diet, and exercise regularly.
Treatment of NAFLD
The US Food and Drug Administration has not approved any NAFLD-specific drug treatment. Nor is there any therapy for the management of NASH. There are ongoing clinical trials.
The only treatment is lifestyle interventions such as a balanced diet, weight loss, and healthy forms of regular exercise.
Weight loss of at least 10% is the first goal. Studies highlight diet's underlying and true importance in managing fatty liver or NAFLD.
Here is an ALF NAFLD & NASH Overview video from the American Liver Foundation
What are the first dietary and lifestyle changes recommended to someone with a liver condition such as NAFLD or "fatty liver"?
The only treatment is lifestyle interventions such as a balanced diet, weight loss, and healthy forms of regular exercise.
Tips en Español
Enfermedad del higado graso no alcoholico (NAFLD) o higado grasoso es comun y afecta aproximadamente 75-100 millones de personas. El 25% a 45% de todos los adultos Estadunidenses sufren con esta enfermedad. Segun Mayo Clinic el sistema del syndrome metabolico son varias condiciones que ocurren juntas y aumentan las enfermedades cardiovasculares. Aumenta el riesgo de un derrame cerebral, diabetes tipo 2, presion arterial alta, el azucar alta, cholesterol, y los niveles de triglicerios altos.
Casi cada tercer 3 Estadunidense esta afectado por esta condicion.
QUE ES NAFLD (Enfermedad del higado graso no alcoholico)?
Es cuando por lo menos 5% esteatosis hepatica grasa esta presente en el higado. Riesgo de NAFO son resistencia de insulina, obesidad, y sidrome metabolico. Higado grasoso causa NAFLD y NASH los casos de mortalidad aumentan de 50 a 80 pacientes con fibrosis.
Que es NASH (Esteatohepatitis no alcoholica)?
Es un subconjunto de NAFLD aumenta el riesgo de fibrosis y eventualmente cirrosis a un higado graso en la ultima etapa y puede causar complicaciones.
Tratamiento
La condicion se diagnostica con un biopsia del higado con su medico. Al momento no hay tratamientos pero una dieta balanceada y saludable es recomendada.
Summary
There is no magic formula for long-term, sustainable weight loss.
Balance. Portion control. Keep nutrition simple. Eat Smart. Eat Healthy. 🌱 🌾 🌿
Personally
I eat a high-fiber, mostly plant-based 🌱 diet, no red meat, drink 4 liters of water a day, exercise, and am focused on keeping nutrition simple. I am sharing what works for me and what I routinely recommend to my patients.
"Balance. Portion control. Keep nutrition simple. Eat Smart. Eat Healthy. 🌱 🌾 🌿"
Gut Health ➕ Patient Advocacy with Navigation ➕ Life Balance
If you were looking for information about Private Healthcare Navigation and Patient Advocacy from Executive Health NavigationClick here for Executive Health Navigation✴ Connect with Dr. Dooreck on LinkedIn, where he focuses his sharing on Health, Diet, Nutrition, Exercise, Lifestyle, and Balance.
gastroenterology | colonoscopy doctor | colonoscopy and gastroenterology services | gastro doctor | gi doctor | gastrointestinal diagnostic centers | public health