Fatty Liver Disease

Also known asNAFLD · MASLD · Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease · Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Steatotic Liver Disease · Hepatic Steatosis · Fatty Liver · Liver Fat · 脂肪肝 · 非酒精性脂肪肝

What it is

Fatty liver disease means too much fat is stored in liver cells. The most common form is not caused by alcohol and is called MASLD (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, formerly NAFLD). It is closely linked to excess weight, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol or triglycerides. Alcohol can also cause fatty liver.

It usually has no symptoms and is found by a blood test or scan. In some people it causes inflammation and scarring (cirrhosis) over the years.

How food and lifestyle can help

Losing 7 to 10% of body weight can reduce liver fat and inflammation, and sometimes scarring. A Mediterranean-style way of eating helps even without weight loss, and so does regular exercise.

Foods and nutrients to focus on

1. Vegetables, fruit, whole grains, beans and lentils, nuts and olive oil.
2. Fish, poultry, eggs and tofu in place of fatty and processed meat.
3. Plain coffee: regular drinkers have less liver scarring in studies.
4. Water as your main drink.

Foods and drinks to limit

1. Sugary drinks and fruit juice, whose fructose is turned into liver fat.
2. Sweets, refined starches, deep-fried and fast foods.
3. Fatty and processed meat; alcohol: ask your doctor, and avoid it if you have liver disease.

Good to know

1. No pill or supplement has been proven to treat fatty liver; some herbal and "liver detox" products can damage the liver.
2. Very rapid weight loss can make fatty liver worse; aim for steady loss.
3. Fatty liver is a marker of wider metabolic problems, so check blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar: see Type 2 Diabetes and Overweight and Obesity.

When to see a doctor

1. Yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, swelling of the belly or legs, or constant tiredness or pain in the upper right abdomen.
2. Abnormal liver blood tests or a scan showing fat in the liver should be followed up, especially with diabetes or heavy drinking.
3. You have hepatitis B or C or drink heavily.

This page is general information, not medical advice. If you have a medical condition or take medicines, check changes to your diet with your doctor or a registered dietitian.

NHS — Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, used for the main facts: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/non-alcoholic-fatty-liver-disease/