Learn About Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a buildup of excessive fat in the liver that can lead to liver damage resembling the damage caused by alcohol abuse, but that occurs in people who do not drink heavily. The liver is a part of the digestive system that helps break down food, store energy, and remove waste products, including toxins. The liver normally contains some fat; an individual is considered to have a fatty liver (hepatic steatosis) if the liver contains more than 5 to 10 percent fat.
The specific causes of NAFLD are unclear. Genetic variations and environmental factors contribute to the development of this complex disorder.
Common conditions include: Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)
NAFLD is a very common disorder, occurring in about 25 percent of the global population. Its prevalence is increasing along with the rising prevalence of obesity in industrialized societies, and it is now the most common chronic liver disorder in Western countries, including the United States. NAFLD is more prevalent in individuals of Hispanic, Native American, or Asian ancestry than in individuals of European or African ancestry.
An increased risk of developing NAFLD can be passed through generations in families, but the inheritance pattern is unknown. Variations in several genes as well as lifestyle and environmental factors contribute to the risk of developing this complex disorder.
Mayo Clinic
Manal Abdelmalek is a Hepatologist in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Abdelmalek is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Her top areas of expertise are Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Cirrhosis, Enlarged Liver, and Liver Transplant.
Kris Kowdley is a Gastroenterologist in Seattle, Washington. Dr. Kowdley is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. His top areas of expertise are Primary Biliary Cholangitis, Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), Cholestasis, Liver Transplant, and Colonoscopy.
Michael Charlton is a Hepatologist in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Charlton is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. His top areas of expertise are Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), Hepatitis C, Liver Transplant, and Islet Cell Transplantation.
Summary: This study is open to adults who are at least 18 years old and have: * A confirmed liver disease called non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) or * A confirmed liver disease called metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) * BMI of 27 kg/m2 or more or * 25 kg/m2 or more if the participant is Asian. People with a history of other chronic liver diseases or high alcohol intake cannot take part in thi...
Summary: This study is being done to better understand the relationship between inflammation in adipose tissue (AT), abnormal deposition of fat around the liver and how this affects its appearance and function and ultimately insulin resistance.
Published Date: November 01, 2016
Published By: National Institutes of Health