Is Fatty Liver Disease Dangerous? What Doctors Want Women To Know

Fatty liver disease may not be as commonly discussed as high cholesterol or high blood pressure, but it’s similar in that it develops slowly and rarely presents obvious symptoms. If you’ve been diagnosed with the condition, you likely have questions. One of the most common being is fatty liver dangerous? Here’s what you need to know.

What is fatty liver disease?

First thing’s first: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was recently renamed to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in order to better represent the condition.

Regardless of what you call it, “fatty liver causes excess fat to build up in the liver,” explains Anurag Maheshwari, MD, a board-certified hepatologist (liver doctor) at Mercy Medical Center. “This fat causes the liver cells to swell up and impacts their ability to perform daily functions.”

Since the liver filters blood and eliminates harmful substances like alcohol, it needs to function at full capacity. But the more fat that builds up, the more likely it is to slow down. And the odds of developing fatty liver disease increase after menopause, according to research in the journal JHEP Reports.

“In some people, fat build-up triggers inflammation, causing death of the liver cells,” says Dr. Maheshwari. “The dead cells are replaced with scar tissue, which leads to scarring of the liver. And progressively increasing amounts of scar tissue can cause cirrhosis,” or permanent liver damage. If left untreated, cirrhosis can eventually lead to liver failure.

Is fatty liver dangerous?

Considering the potential risks, you might assume fatty liver is dangerous. But the answer is a little more nuanced.

“Most of the time, the liver tolerates extra fat storage,” says Nancy Reau, MD, section chief of hepatology at Rush University Medical Center. “However, about 20% of people with fatty liver are at risk for liver damage that could lead to more serious complications.”

Dr. Reau says it isn’t the fat itself that causes these problems, but the metabolic risk factors that cause the liver to store excess fat in the first place. “That means if you have metabolic problems like pre-diabetes, diabetes or another metabolic complication [like hypertension, high cholesterol or PCOS], you should ask your healthcare provider if you might be at risk.” 

Screening is crucial, especially if you have a family history of fatty liver. Since the condition rarely presents symptoms, your best bet is to schedule liver function tests or a liver ultrasound. 

3 ways to reverse fatty liver before it becomes dangerous

If tests reveal you do have fatty liver, don’t panic. “Not every person is going to develop complications,” Dr. Maheshwari says. “It’s currently believed less than 10% of people with fatty liver will ultimately develop liver cirrhosis.” 

Even better? Healthy lifestyle changes can reverse the condition and protect your liver. Here are three to try:

1. Get your steps in

The easiest way to combat fatty liver is with regular exercise, which can help you lose weight. “Studies have shown losing 3-5% of total body weight can decrease the amount of fat in the liver,” says Benjamin Root, MD, a board-certified gastroenterologist at Specialists in Gastroenterology. That means if you weigh 175 pounds, you only need to lose between 5-9 pounds to experience the benefits.

Don’t worry about overexerting yourself to reach your weight loss goals, either. Taking regular brisk walks is a great place to start to reach or maintain a healthy weight. Research in The American Journal of Gastroenterology found that 150 minutes of moderate activity exercise a week (about 22 minutes a day) significantly reduces liver fat. 

2. Nosh on fruits and vegetables

Dr. Reau suggests a diet that’s low in carbohydrates and calorie-restricted, but the “green” Mediterranean diet is particularly beneficial. This diet, which is similar to the traditional Mediterranean diet, emphasizes even more plant-based foods and less meat. 

It also incorporates green tea and walnuts. It’s so effective that a study published in Gut found that eating a green Mediterranean diet reduced the risk of fatty liver disease by an impressive 50%.

3. Sip a latte

“Moderate coffee consumption has been linked to a lower risk of advanced fatty liver disease and fibrosis,” Dr. Root says. A study in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hepatology found that drinking 2 or fewer cups of coffee daily protects against the progression of almost all forms of liver disease, including cirrhosis. 

“A diagnosis of fatty liver disease can be quite scary, but remember that most people won’t develop cirrhosis,” Dr. Root assures. “Plus, treatment –– the foundation of which is healthy lifestyle modification — will make you an overall healthier person.” 

For more ways to keep your liver healthy:

Your Guide to a Fatty Liver Diet: MD Reveals What To Eat and What To Avoid

Top Doctors Reveal Their 7 Best Fatty Liver Disease Self-Care Tips: Weight Lifting, Waling, More

Can Fatty Liver Be Reversed? Doctors Say This Simple Drink Swap Can Help

This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.