of the The liver is one of the body’s most vital organs, quietly performing hundreds of essential functions—from filtering toxins and processing nutrients to regulating metabolism and supporting digestion. Yet despite its important role, liver health is often overlooked until problems become apparent. In recent years, conditions such as fatty liver disease have become increasingly common, largely driven by lifestyle and metabolic factors. However, many people still misunderstand how this disease develops or what daily habits can affect liver function.
Also Read | Antibiotics can disrupt your gut microbiome for months, warns a US doctor. Shares 5 facts about gut health
Dr. Kunal Sood, an anesthesiologist and pain management physician, shared five key facts about it. Liver health In an Instagram video posted on March 10, he discusses how fat accumulates in the liver, the risks associated with fatty liver disease, and the ways in which factors such as diet and body weight can affect liver function.
Fatty liver can occur without alcohol
According to Dr. Sood, fatty liver can develop even in people who do not drink alcohol. In most cases, it is associated with a metabolic disorder caused by insulin resistance. This process leads to the accumulation of excess fatty acids in the liver, which gradually accumulates. Triglycerides over time.
He explains, “Metabolic disorder-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD/NAFLD) occurs when fat accumulates in the liver cells despite little or no alcohol consumption. Insulin resistance increases the breakdown of fat in adipose tissue, sending free fatty acids to the liver where triglycerides are ingested.”
Normal liver enzymes do not always mean a healthy liver
Dr. Sood points out that liver enzymes such as AST and ALT are usually elevated only when liver cells are actively injured. Conditions such as fat accumulation or slow-growing fibrosis may not significantly affect this enzyme level. As a result, normal liver test results are not necessarily meaningful Fatty liver disease does not exist.
He explains, “AST and ALT are primarily elevated when liver cells are actively injured. Fat accumulation or slow fibrosis can occur without significant enzyme secretion, meaning patients may have fatty liver with normal labs. Studies suggest that approximately 50 percent of NAFLD patients have normal ALT or AST despite the disease.”
Belly fat feeds inflammation of the liver
Visceral fat releases inflammatory markers throughout the body The bloodstream carries free fatty acids and inflammatory cytokines to the liver. This process can promote insulin resistance, put extra stress on the liver, and trigger an inflammatory signal in the body.
Dr. explains, “Visceral fat enters the portal circulation directly, delivering free fatty acids and inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6 to the liver. This promotes insulin resistance, hepatocyte stress, and inflammatory signaling that can progress from steatosis to steatohepatitis.
Sugary drinks quickly increase liver fat
According to Dr., fructose is found in Sugary drinks are mainly metabolized by the liver. This process activates pathways that convert excess sugar into fatty acids, which are then stored in liver cells as triglycerides, thereby increasing the risk of fatty liver disease.
Dr. Sood explains, “Fructose in sweetened beverages is metabolized primarily in the liver. It strongly stimulates de novo lipogenesis, converting excess sugar into fatty acids that are stored in hepatocytes as triglycerides. High intakes are consistently associated with increased risk of fatty liver.”
Losing weight can prevent early fatty liver
Dr. Sood points out that even five to ten percent is lost Weight gain can significantly reduce the delivery of fatty acids to the liver while also improving insulin resistance. This, in turn, helps reduce liver fat and inflammation. He adds that significant weight loss may lead to significant improvements in liver health.
He explains, “Weight loss reduces fatty acid delivery to the liver and improves insulin sensitivity. Clinical guidelines show that a five to ten percent reduction in body weight can significantly reduce liver fat and inflammation, leading to major improvements in liver damage.”
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. It is based on user generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified and does not endorse these claims.
#fatty #liver #disease #occur #alcohol #losing #weight #reverse #Doctor #Shares #Liver #Facts