The prevalence of fatty liver disease is on the rise, with a troubling trend of younger individuals being diagnosed and an increasing need for liver transplants due to secondary disorders stemming from the disease.
Once considered a risk primarily for men over 50, fatty liver disease is now affecting more young people and even children, pointing to the potential influence of modern habits and diets.
A recent study in Bristol found that approximately one in five young people, particularly those born in the 1990s, are grappling with fatty liver disease. Additionally, mortality rates from liver disease have soared by over 400% in the past 50 years, shedding light on the urgency of this issue.
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This disease is not bound by age but rather by an excess consumption of fats alongside a sedentary lifestyle. However, the silver lining is that its root causes are within our control and can be reversed.
Juan Turnes, head of the Digestive System Service at the University Hospital Complex of Pontevedra, emphasized the impact of food quantity and timing. Marta Casado, president of the Spanish Foundation for Digestive System, highlighted the link between sedentary lifestyles, fast food consumption, obesity, and fatty liver disease.
Addressing this issue is no small task. It is generally estimated that a substantial weight loss, around 10% of total body weight, is required to have a therapeutic effect on the liver, varying based on individual size.
The liver, responsible for vital functions like digestion, metabolism, and toxin removal, has a remarkable ability to regenerate. However, if pushed beyond its limits, irreversible damage such as liver cirrhosis can occur, potentially leading to liver cancer or failure, with transplant often being the only recourse.