The liver regenerates well, but repeated damage gradually erodes that capacity. Once fatty liver disease is left untreated and progresses to cirrhosis, recovery becomes virtually impossible. Doctors say it is important to recognize early physical signs that fat is building up in the liver.
According to medical experts on the 11th, Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a U.S. gastroenterologist, recently pointed to a widening waistline or accumulating abdominal fat despite no change in lifestyle habits as an early sign of fatty liver. Persistent fatigue that does not lift even after adequate rest, along with loss of appetite and nausea, are also warning signs. Left untreated, fatty liver can progress to steatohepatitis and cirrhosis, raising the risk of liver cancer. When such symptoms appear, he said, the cause should be identified and addressed early.
The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in South Korea, currently estimated at about 30%, continues to rise, according to the National Institute of Health under the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. The Korean Association for the Study of the Liver said prevalence ranges from 10% to 24% in the general population and rises to between 58% and 74% among obese people.
Dull, rough skin, a yellowish complexion and heavy hair loss are also cited as signs of fatty liver, sometimes accompanied by a feeling of heaviness or discomfort below the right ribs. "The liver removes toxins and regulates hormones, and when that function declines, irritants build up in the body and trigger skin inflammation and itching," Sethi said. People with obesity, diabetes or hyperlipidemia are more likely to have fatty liver even without symptoms, making regular screening advisable.
Fatty liver is often assumed to affect only drinkers, but it is also common among people who do not drink. Added sugars consumed through food are converted into fat during metabolism and stored in the liver. Anyone who habitually eats sweet snacks such as beverages, cookies, cake, doughnuts and ice cream needs to limit their intake. Dr. Rucha Shah, a U.S. gastroenterologist, said keeping added sugars to no more than 10% of daily calorie intake for three to six months helps restore liver function. Eating protein- and fiber-rich foods first, such as Greek yogurt or vegetables, is effective in reducing cravings for sweets.
Weight loss is another key part of management. Cutting current body weight by just 5% is known to reduce fat accumulation and inflammation in the liver. A 7% reduction improves steatohepatitis, and a 10% reduction can also improve liver fibrosis. Rapid weight loss over a short period can worsen symptoms, however, so a gradual reduction over three to six months is recommended. The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) recommends a total of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise at least five times a week. Adding just 60 minutes to existing activity levels has been reported to improve liver metabolic indicators.
