Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) refers to a range of liver conditions where fat builds up in the liver, not due to alcohol use. The most common type is nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which involves fat accumulation along with liver inflammation. NASH is the leading cause of liver disease in the U.S. and may resemble alcoholic hepatitis, though it often presents without noticeable symptoms.
Causes/Risk Factors
NAFLD is caused by a combination of genetic factors, metabolic issues, and environmental influences, which lead to the buildup of fat in the liver.
Key contributors include:
Genetics and family history.
Insulin resistance. (related to obesity, diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome)
Age. Most patients are diagnosed in their 40s or 50s, and advancing age increases overall disease risk and risk of complications. However, there has been an increasing prevalence of NAFLD in children and young adults
Hyperlipidemia, especially hypertriglyceridemia.
Diet. A diet high in saturated fat and refined carbohydrates is linked to metabolic dysfunction in NAFLD, particularly lipid dysregulation and insulin resistance.
