When you hear the words “fatty liver disease,” you might automatically assume that it is alcohol-related. After all, the liver is the organ responsible for breaking down most of the alcohol we consume. However, today the main factor is not alcohol, but diet.

Dr. Ben Galyardt recently highlighted a troubling trend TikTok: many of his patients with fatty liver disease are minors and don’t drink alcohol at all. This highlights the increasing prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among young people in the United States

In support of this concern, researchers analyzed data from more than 4,600 adolescents and young adults aged 12 to 29, collected between 2007 and 2016. Their results revealed that approximately 18.5% of this group suffered from NAFLD.

Dr. Galyardt shared his direct observations with News week. He said: “The new name for NAFLD is stratification liver disease associated with metabolic dysfunction. This underlines the idea that it is a blood sugar-based disease. »

The study also highlights that in addition to obesity, many young people with NAFLD face related health problems such as high cholesterol and insulin resistance. These issues are linked to changes in the food environment, where unhealthy foods high in fat and sugar are easily accessible, particularly in low-income areas.

Galyardt, who has practiced functional medicine for 25 years, explains: “Children develop fatty liver disease at an exponential rate due to poor food options. Soda, energy drinks, chips, and ultra-processed foods cause blood sugar spikes and subsequent drops. This causes the body to store glucose in the liver and release it later as needed. Interestingly, we see more non-diabetic patients with fatty liver disease than diabetic patients with this condition. »

What are the warning signs of fatty liver disease?

Known as a silent disease with few or no symptoms, fatty liver disease can be difficult to detect. Galyardt, based in Fort Collins, Colorado, said News week: “The only real way to determine fatty liver disease is with an ultrasound, but an easy test to detect is called GGT. If this number is above 20, it is a strong indication that someone may be developing fatty liver disease. .”

He explained that people with prediabetes might start to gain body fat, with an increase in their cholesterol levels and blood pressure, key indicators of risk.

“The number one sign we look for is high ferritin, which is stored iron,” he added. “High ferritin indicates not only inflammation, but also liver distress.”

How can this disease affect a person’s health?

NAFLD is the most common chronic liver disease in the United States, according to the American Liver Foundation. It is estimated that approximately 25 percent of adults in the United States have NAFLD.

Galyardt explained that fatty liver disease leads to liver dysfunction and impaired detoxification, but its underlying causes, such as insulin resistance, prediabetes, inflammation and blood sugar fluctuations, can lead to inflammation. systemic, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, Alzheimer’s and other chronic diseases affecting the liver. public health.

How to prevent disease

“The first thing people can do to prevent and reverse their fatty liver disease is to keep their blood sugar levels as stabilized as possible,” Galyardt explained.

You can achieve this by maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, staying hydrated with plenty of water, minimizing sugary drinks, and making sure you get enough sleep.

In some people, the disease may already be present, but the good news is that it can be reversed. As Galyardt explains in his November 13 video, viewed more than a million times (@doctorbengalyardt), there are two ways to proceed:

1. Use a continuous glucose monitor, placed on the back of the arm, and monitor blood sugar so you can stabilize them.
2. A doctor-guided liver cleanse or detox can help remove chemicals and toxins, easing the transition from a fatty to a healthy liver.

He added: “There is no medicine that can treat fatty liver disease. There is no surgery that can solve it. It is a lifestyle problem and treatment should focus on the causes, namely the food and drinks consumed by a person.

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