Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Risk factors for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease include:

• High cholesterol
• High levels of triglycerides in the blood
• Metabolic syndrome
• Obesity, particularly when fat is concentrated in the abdomen
• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• Sleep apnea
• Type 2 diabetes
• Underactive pituitary gland (hypopituitarism)
• Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)

To reduce your risk of NAFLD:

• Choose a healthy plant-based diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats
• Implement exercise into your daily routine
• Reduce the number of calories you eat each day if you are overweight or obese

You may not have any symptoms of NAFLD at all. Elevations in liver enzymes may be noted on routine blood work. This should warrant a consultation with a hepatologist or a liver specialist. 

Symptoms (if present) of NAFLD may include any of the following:

• Fatigue
• Pain or discomfort in the upper right abdomen

Symptoms of NASH may include any of the following:

• Abdominal swelling 
• Enlarged blood vessels just beneath the skin's surface
• Enlarged spleen
• Red palms
• Yellowing of the skin and eyes

Contact our gastroenterologists for testing if you experience any symptoms of NAFLD or NASH. A liver biopsy is currently the best diagnostic tool for both.

NAFLD and NASH may have the following causes that can promote the deposit of fat in the liver:

• High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
• High levels of fats — such as triglycerides — in the blood
• Insulin resistance
• Overweight or obesity

Your doctor may use a combination of lifestyle intervention in the form of diet and exercise combined with medical management to treat NAFLD and NASH. A strong focus towards controlling risk factors is also necessary.