Dr Amir Khan, a familiar face on ITV’s This Morning and Lorraine, has raised alarms about a sharp increase in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) cases in the UK. Contrary to common belief, alcohol is not the primary culprit. Instead, Dr Khan points to sugar and refined carbohydrates as the main dietary contributors.
In a recent Instagram post, Dr Khan explained that his clinic is seeing a significant rise in patients affected by this condition, which is strongly linked to excessive sugar intake rather than fats. He notes, “Many believe fatty liver is caused by fats, but the real issue is sugar.”
The doctor highlighted the relationship between blood sugar and liver health, describing them as “best friends” that can become toxic when blood sugar levels remain elevated due to constant consumption of sugary snacks and refined carbs such as crisps. He detailed the science behind the condition: when blood sugar spikes, insulin is released to manage it, but chronic high sugar intake leads to insulin resistance. This causes the liver to convert surplus sugar into fat through a process called de novo lipogenesis.
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“At the same time, insulin signals the body to stop burning fat, which means more fat is stored in the liver,” Dr Khan said. This accumulation of fat in liver cells causes inflammation and damage, culminating in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease—a condition many are unaware they have.
However, Dr Khan reassures that this condition is often reversible. He recommends losing 5-10% of body weight to significantly reduce liver fat, engaging in daily physical activity such as brisk walking, cutting down on added sugars and ultra-processed carbohydrates, especially those high in fructose like fizzy drinks, and prioritizing whole foods, fiber, protein, and healthy fats to stabilize blood sugar levels.
He also advises moderating alcohol consumption as the liver is already under strain, and emphasizes the importance of good sleep since poor sleep exacerbates insulin resistance.
“Look after your blood sugar, and you’ll look after your liver,” Dr Khan concluded. “Your liver is incredibly forgiving if you give it a chance.”
The NHS supports these views, defining NAFLD as a common condition where fat builds up in the liver, often linked to being overweight. It usually causes no symptoms and is often discovered incidentally during tests for other health issues. A healthy lifestyle remains the primary treatment for those diagnosed.