Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), now called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), is the buildup of extra fat in liver cells that is not caused by alcohol. It is normal for the liver to contain some fat. However, if more than 5% – 10% percent of the liver’s weight is fat, then it is called a fatty liver (steatosis). The more advanced form of NAFLD is nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), now called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). NASH causes the liver to swell and become damaged.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (now known as MASLD) tends to develop in people who are overweight or obese or have diabetes, high cholesterol, or high triglycerides. These conditions combined are known as metabolic syndrome. Rapid weight loss and poor eating habits also may lead to NAFLD. Certain medications may increase one’s chances of developing NAFLD. It is important to note, however, that some people develop fatty liver even if they do not have the most common risk
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, or NAFLD (now known as MASLD, or Metabolic Associated Steatotic Liver Disease) and cardiac (heart) disease have similar causes, including metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a grouping of health conditions that include high triglycerides, high blood sugar levels, prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure. Other factors include obesity and excess fat around the abdomen (belly area).
Current medical recommendations suggest the importance of discussing the NAFLD/heart disease connection with a health care provider if you have NAFLD. Although you may be worried about your liver health, death from cardiovascular disease (CVD) is more common than liver complications among people with fatty liver. Even if the fatty liver disease would progress to significant fibrosis (scarring in the liver that is cirrhosis or nearly cirrhosis), the risk of CVD remains higher.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (now called MASLD) can get worse and cause liver inflammation (enlargement or swelling) and damage called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH, which has been renamed MASH). Cirrhosis (scar buildup) can develop if NASH advances. Early diagnosis of NAFLD, along with following medical advice, can reduce a person’s chance NAFLD progressing to NASH and cirrhosis.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (now called MASLD) often has no symptoms, but if they occur, If symptoms begin, they usually include fatigue (extreme tiredness), weakness, discomfort or pain in the abdomen.
If NALFD begins to advance to NASH (now known as MASH), other symptoms may begin. These can include jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), severe itching, fluid buildup in the belly (ascites) and fluid buildup in the ankles (edema). Sometimes mental confusion can occur.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (now called MASLD) may be suspected if blood tests show higher than normal levels of liver enzymes. Usually, doctors will have to rule out other probable causes of higher-than-normal liver enzymes before they know for sure if someone has NAFLD. They will review a person’s medical history and will often order additional tests such as ultrasound, which can show what the liver looks like, to see if anything looks abnormal.
There are no medications approved yet for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (now called MASLD). Eating a healthy diet and adding physical movement to your day may help prevent liver damage from starting or reverse it in the initial stages. Here are suggestions for people who have NAFLD:
There are things people can do to lower their chances of developing NAFLD (now called MASLD). They include:
NASH (now called MASH) Support Group on Facebook
Visit the American Liver Foundation Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), now called metabolic dysfunction associated steatohepatitis or MASH, support group on Facebook. For more details, click here…
We encourage adults living with NAFLD to visit our Clinical Trials page to learn more about opportunities in their area. Visit our Clinical Trials page today.
NAFLD has been newly renamed metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease or MASLD. Learn about the new nomenclature (terminology) changes to NAFLD here.
Clinical trials are research studies that test how well new medical approaches work in people. Before an experimental treatment can be tested on human subjects in a clinical trial, it must have shown benefit in laboratory testing or animal research studies. The most promising treatments are then moved into clinical trials, with the goal of identifying new ways to safely and effectively prevent, screen for, diagnose, or treat a disease.
Speak with your doctor about the ongoing progress and results of these trials to get the most up-to-date information on new treatments. Participating in a clinical trial is a great way to contribute to curing, preventing and treating liver disease and its complications.
Start your search here to find clinical trials that need people like you.
Last updated on May 16th, 2024 at 11:39 am