Learn about MASLD and what you can do to manage your liver's health.
MASLD stands for
Metablic-Dysfunction
Associated
Steatotic
Liver
Disease
Humans cannot stay alive without a working liver. A healthy liver is essential for well-being. Some fat in the liver is normal, but the amount should be less than 5% of the liver's overall weight. When the level of fat in the liver is over 5%, it is called a fatty liver (hepatic steatosis). Unbalanced diets and sedentary lifestyles are important contributors to fatty liver. There can be other causes for a fatty liver, such as alcohol. However, most fatty livers are created by diet, lifestyle, and genetic factors. When the main cause for a fatty liver is diet and lifestyle, the condition is called MASLD (formerly known as NAFLD).
MASLD/NAFLD often does not have symptoms and can easily go unnoticed. However, if the level of fat in the liver remains high, MASLD/NAFLD can develop into more serious conditions.
The fat stored in the liver can cause inflammation that leads to scarring called fibrosis. When fat causes inflammation of the liver, the condition is called non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (MASH/NASH). This scarring hurts the liver's function. When the scarring develops enough to cause severe problems, this is called cirrhosis. Unfortunately, the great majority of people with MASLD/NAFLD and even MASH/NASH have no symptoms of their liver disease. Some people can develop abdominal pain. Many people with MASLD/NAFLD and MASH/NASH experience excessive fatigue.
CAN BECOME
CAN BECOME
CAN BECOME
CAN BECOME
Once MASLD/NAFLD has progressed to cirrhosis, the scarring can be permanent. When diagnosed early, the inflammation and even the scarring may be slowed or reversed. Cirrhosis can develop into liver failure, and/or liver cancer. MASH/NASH is the most common reason for women to ned a liver transplant in the United States and is the second most common reason for men to need a liver transplant. MASH/NASH is also the most common reason to develop liver cancer in the United States.
MASLD/NAFLD can be prevented through a healthy diet and regular exercise. People who have MASLD/NAFLD (or more serious developments like fibrosis and cirrhosis) can also improve their health and potentially reverse damage through a healthy diet and exercise.
Eating healthy is not easy, and neither is working out. HepVita provides information on liver-healthy diets and lifestyle changes that are known to benefit liver health.
For some people medications can help to slow or reverse the casues of MASLD/NAFLD and also the liver inflammation and scarring.
Link to American Association of the Study of Liver Diseases Guidance for the evaluation and management of MASLD/NAFLD and MASH/NASH Link to American Association of Clinical Endocrinology Clinical Practice Guideline for the diagnosis and management of MASLD/NAFLD and MASH/NASH