NAFLD: How to reduce risk and slow its progress

Liver disease is on the rise, but not because of alcohol. This crucial organ is sending us warning signs about our diet and lifestyles.

Many of my patients have recently asked me about non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). For reasons that will become clear later, this topic is generating increasing interest from the public, health professionals, and researchers.

Today, I’ll explain what happens in NAFLD, why it happens, and how you can prevent it from developing through dietary changes.

What is NAFLD?

NAFLD isn’t a single condition but a range of conditions characterised by a buildup of fat within the liver. Drinking alcohol to excess causes a similar buildup, but, as the name suggests, NAFLD isn’t related to alcohol consumption.

Instead, it’s primarily driven by lifestyle factors like diet, stress and exercise.

The liver is our metabolic hub, where protein, fat and sugar are metabolised before being distributed throughout the body. But when we eat metabolically challenging food, it puts a strain on this resilient, wonderful organ.