Let’s Talk About It: Why Should I Care About Fatty Liver Disease?

Here at The Plug, we’re all about opening the doors to the best-kept health secrets that people tend to discover firsthand as they grow older. But becoming wiser shouldn’t just happen as you age; your 20s and 30s are the prime time to educate yourself on the best long-term health practices and lay down the groundwork for healthy habits. After all, isn’t it better to be proactive about our health rather than reactive? So let’s talk about a topic you should know about before it gets the chance to strike: fatty liver disease. What is it exactly and why should you worry about it now?

What is Fatty Liver Disease?

Fatty liver disease, as the name implies, is caused by the accumulation of fat in the liver over time. While a small amount of fat is normal for the liver, problems can arise when the fat content becomes more than 5% of the organ's total weight (1). These are the two types of fatty liver disease you should be aware of:

- Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is the most common liver disease. It is caused by factors (or a mix of factors) unrelated to alcohol use such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol (1).

- Alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD) is directly caused by alcohol use and is prevalent among heavy drinkers; 50% of alcohol-related mortalities are attributed to liver disease (2). 

Fatty liver disease is a common condition that affects 24% of adults in the U.S. (3), yet it tends to fly under the radar for most; this is why it’s called the “silent” epidemic. Many people who have it can go their whole lives without noticing any serious problems! Typical symptoms include (1):

- Abdominal pain

- Fatigue

- Nausea

- Loss of appetite

- Weight loss

- Swelling of the abdomen and legs

The Progression of Fatty Liver Disease

By not knowing the possible signs of fatty liver disease, you are putting your future health at risk. Lack of treatment can lead to worsening symptoms and progression into the more serious stages of fatty liver disease (3):

Stage 1: Fatty Liver

When you have some fat accumulation, your liver may not be functioning 100% efficiently; this can then lead to additional fat buildup if left untreated.

Stage 2: Steatohepatitis

Steatohepatitis is when fat builds up extensively in the liver, leading to inflammation and damage (3). Formerly known as NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis), medical professionals refer to steatohepatitis as MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis).

Stage 3: Fibrosis

When recurring inflammation damages the liver, scar tissue forms (3). This type of scarring is called fibrosis.

Stage 4: Cirrhosis

If steatohepatitis and/or fibrosis aren’t treated ahead of time, extensive scar tissue will eventually replace healthy tissue, leading to a partial block of blood flow through the liver (4). This stage is called cirrhosis, and it unfortunately cannot be reversed.

Is There a Cure?

Fatty liver disease currently has no cure or fast fix, but there is good news! In March 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first treatment for fatty liver disease, particularly those suffering from MASH (5). The treatment, Rezdiffra (resmetirom), works by targeting specific thyroid hormone receptors in the liver, aiming to improve liver function and potentially slow disease progression (5). While it's not a cure, it provides a new treatment option for those who previously had limited choices and an opportunity for further research in the realm of MASH and other stages of fatty liver disease.

What You Can Do

All of this talk about symptoms and statistics might have you feeling anxious, but remember that your liver is an expert at healing and repairing itself; even if it sustains damage, there is still time to reverse it. Having a healthy diet and a consistent exercise routine are a healthcare provider’s best advice for reversing fatty liver disease in the early stages (3). It’s also recommended to limit your alcohol consumption, stay on top of any medications for diabetes or high blood pressure, and lose weight if needed (1). If you believe that there is a problem with your liver, please make an appointment with your healthcare provider. 

Other ways to help your liver thrive include amping up your daily routine by adding supplements made to help sustain a healthy liver. The Plug Drink features plants like dandelion, licorice root, and alder tree in its proprietary formula due to their long history of benefiting liver function and performance. These ingredients are also present in The Plug Pills, which consists of two additional mighty liver helpers – milk thistle and turmeric. The Plug was crafted with your health journey in mind; that’s why we call it your liver’s sidekick! Following the steps toward prevention and taking liver health supplements such as The Plug are ways to reward your hardworking liver and potentially reverse any negative effects that may be damaging it.

Begin Your Health Journey Today

Your liver is a force to be reckoned with! It can withstand years and years of ups and downs due to lifestyle changes. However, it’s time we start focusing on liver health and learning about the necessary steps for preventing fatty liver disease – start your health journey with The Plug today!

Bibliography:

1. Steatotic (Fatty) Liver Disease [Internet]. Cleveland Clinic. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15831-fatty-liver-disease

2. Alkhouri N, Almomani A, Le P, Payne JY, Asaad I, Sakkal C, et al. The prevalence of alcoholic and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in adolescents and young adults in the United States: analysis of the NHANES database. BMC Gastroenterology [Internet]. 2022 July 30; 22(366). Available from: https://bmcgastroenterol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12876-022-02430-7

3. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Definition & Facts of NAFLD & NASH [Internet]. National Institutes of Health. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/liver-disease/nafld-nash/definition-facts

4. Definition & Facts for Cirrhosis [Internet]. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/liver-disease/cirrhosis/definition-facts

5. FDA Approves First Treatment for Patients with Liver Scarring Due to Fatty Liver Disease [Internet]. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 2024 Mar 14. Available from: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-treatment-patients-liver-scarring-due-fatty-liver-disease