Fatty Liver Disease

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease includes a range of liver conditions affecting people who rarely drink alcohol, if at all. The primary characteristic of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is excess fat stored in the liver cells.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is increasingly common around the world, especially in Western nations. It is the most common form of chronic liver disease in the United States, affecting an estimated 80 to 100 million people.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease occurs across all age groups. It is more prevalent in individuals in their 40s and 50s who are at elevated risk of heart disease due to risk factors such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. The condition is also closely linked to metabolic syndrome.