Fatty Liver Disease Overview
Fatty liver disease, or hepatic steatosis, occurs when excess fat accumulates in the liver. It is commonly linked to obesity, poor lifestyle choices, and metabolic issues. Understanding its causes, symptoms, and management through lifestyle changes is essential for prevention and treatment.

Causes of Fatty Liver
Fatty liver is mainly caused by lifestyle factors, though genetics may play a role. Key contributors include:

• Unhealthy Diet: Diets rich in processed foods, sugary drinks, and saturated fats increase the risk.
• Obesity: Extra weight leads to fat buildup in the liver.
• Insulin Resistance: Often linked to type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, it accelerates fatty liver.
• Excessive Alcohol Consumption: Alcohol impairs the liver’s ability to process lipids, causing alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD).

Other causes include acute fatty liver during pregnancy, which usually resolves after childbirth.

Symptoms of Fatty Liver
Fatty liver often shows no symptoms and is detected during medical checkups. Some people may experience:

• Fatigue
• Abdominal pain
• Malaise
• Weakness
• Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)

Types of Fatty Liver Disease

• Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (AFLD): Caused by excessive alcohol consumption.
• Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): More common, associated with obesity, diabetes, and other metabolic conditions.

Prevention and Lifestyle Management

1. Diet: Eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Limit processed foods, sugary drinks, and saturated fats. Choose healthy fats like those from nuts, seeds, and fish.
2. Exercise: Aim for 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of intense exercise weekly. Combine cardio and strength training.
3. Weight Management: Maintain a healthy weight based on BMI and lose weight gradually if overweight. Seek guidance from healthcare professionals.
4. Limit Alcohol: Reduce or eliminate alcohol, especially for those with AFLD.
5. Manage Medical Conditions: Control diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol to prevent liver damage.

The Bottom Line
Fatty liver disease is common but preventable. By making lifestyle changes such as improving diet, exercising, managing weight, limiting alcohol, and controlling medical conditions, individuals can reduce their risk and prevent disease progression.