A new study highlights a troubling rise in fatty liver disease among American adults, primarily driven by obesity, type 2 diabetes, and processed food consumption. By 2018, 42% of U.S. adults had some form of this disease, according to research led by Dr. Juan Pablo Arab from Virginia Commonwealth University’s Institute for Liver Disease and Metabolic Health. Poor diet choices, including the high intake of industrial seed oils, also play a significant role in the disease’s increase.
Fatty liver disease, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), appears in various forms. These include metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), primarily linked to obesity and diabetes, and alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD). MASLD is by far the most common form, affecting 42% of adults, and is found in up to 90% of people who are morbidly obese. Nearly 70% of adults with type 2 diabetes also suffer from MASLD. Research further suggests that environmental pollutants like glyphosate and PFAS, commonly found in food and water, worsen liver health issues.
The findings reveal a serious public health challenge, especially for young children, who are increasingly affected by NAFLD. Dr. Arab stresses the need for focused health interventions to ease the impact of liver disease on high-risk groups. Lifestyle changes—such as reducing processed foods and adding liver-supportive nutrients like choline—are also recommended to help protect the liver from damage. “This study highlights a significant health issue that affects a large portion of the U.S. population, and it shows that certain groups are at a higher risk,” Arab noted, calling for proactive steps to tackle this growing health crisis.
SOURCE:
Source: Original Article
Publish Date: