Article 9: The Overlooked Link Between Metabolic Dysfunction and Liver Health

Your liver is one of the most metabolically active organs in your body. It plays a key role in processing nutrients, regulating blood sugar, and managing cholesterol levels. When metabolic dysfunction occurs, the liver often takes the first hit.

One common outcome is Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly knowns as Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). In MASLD, excess fat builds up in the liver due to poor metabolic control, even in people who rarely drink alcohol. This can lead to:

Chronic inflammation in the liver
Fibrosis (scar tissue)
Increased risk of liver cancer

Risk Factors for MASLD:

Central obesity (abdominal fat)
Type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance
High triglycerides and low HDL cholesterol
Sedentary lifestyle

The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) recommends lifestyle-based interventions as the first line of treatment:
👉 AASLD Guidelines on NAFLD/MAFLD

Key Prevention Tips:

Maintain a healthy weight
Follow a Mediterranean-style diet
Exercise at least 150 minutes per week
Manage blood sugar and blood pressure

At Gamit Clinic, our team provides liver screenings and metabolic health programs to help protect your liver and overall health.