Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: What You Should Know

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Gastro Girl News Team

Editor

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a growing global epidemic, with more than one billion people affected by the condition. Experts believe the prevalence of the disease could increase by 50% by the year 2030.

This article by Kristin Kirkpatrick, TODAY Contributor, stands out because it provides a good overview of NAFLD, its risk factors and what you can do to reduce your risk.

Two UCLA Health doctors, Elizabeth Ko, MD, & Eve Glazier, MD, answer a question in this article related to the link between overweight kids and fatty liver disease, and explain why fatty liver disease is not just associated with alcoholics.

While excessive alcohol consumption is certainly one path to a diagnosis of fatty liver disease, the condition can affect drinkers and non-drinkers alike — raising the risk of heart disease and potentially causing subsequent problems that can lead to liver cancer. New research suggests that children who are overweight as toddlers may go on to develop the metabolic markers of fatty liver disease several years later. ––Elizabeth Ko, MD, & Eve Glazier, MD

Related Media Coverage
Fatty Liver Disease Distressingly Common in the US, Hanford Sentinel
Factors Identified to Predict Fatty Liver in Obese Teens, Endocrinology News’
Eating Better Tied to lower Risk of Liver Disease, Reuters Health
Study Shows How a Carb-Restricted Diet Battles Fatty Liver Disease, Medical Xpress
How to Prevent Fatty Liver Disease, Care2.com

Related Resources
ACG Patient Information on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
ACG Practice Guideline: Evaluation of Abnormal Liver Chemistries
Non-alcoholic liver disease and NASH, NIDDK/NIH
Fatty Liver Disease, Medline Plus
The Diagnosis and Management of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Practice Guidance From the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases