MASLD is commonly associated withobesityanddiabetes, and it can progress if these conditions are not well controlled or if they are not treated. Progression leads to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH, formerly known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis or NASH), which is a type of liver failure that causes fatigue and potentially life-threatening metabolic problems.There is no medication that can cure MASLD or MASH, and controlling the associated risk factors is a vital part of minimizing future liver damage.
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In June 2023, the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, along with several other liver research societies and patient advocacy groups, announced new names for the conditions NAFLD and NASH. The names were changed to more accurately reflect the causes of the conditions and to reduce the usage of stigmatizing language.
Symptoms
MASLD develops slowly, over many years. It generally affects adults over the age of 50, although it can occur sooner.You might not notice any symptoms of MASLD at all, or you may experience some mild, vague effects offatty liverdisease (also known as steatotic liver disease).
Symptoms that you may experience if you have MASLD include:
Often, people who have fatty liver do not have symptoms until the condition progresses and liver failure occurs.
Complications
A more serious complication of fatty liver, MASH, develops when the liver begins to lose function.MASH produces distressing effects, and it interferes with your ability to metabolize certain foods and medication.
The symptoms that can be associated with MASLD are more common in MASH.
And you are likely to experience additional effects as well, including:
Eventually, end-stage liver disease, which can impair your ability to function, may develop.
Some or all of these life-threatening conditions can occur in late-stage MASH or MASLD:
Causes
Risk factors associated with MASLD include:
How Liver Damage Occurs in MASLD
When more than 5% to 10% of your liver’s weight is composed of fat, the effects of fatty liver can occur.The liver becomes swollen, and blood flow can be slowed down. A liver which has excess fat is also vulnerable to inflammation, scarring, decreased function, and liver failure.
Inflammation causes scarring in advanced MASLD, which can lead to cirrhosis.Whenever your liver becomes damaged, your body lays down collagen to repair it. Fibrosis (thickening of the liver tissue) then ensues.
The liver damage of MASLD is virtually identical to the liver damage seen in alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Impaired Liver Function
The liver is the largest internal organ in your body. It performs several functions, such as processing everything you eat and drink, detoxifying chemicals (such as medications), controlling blood sugar levels, and helping build immune proteins.
When MASLD interferes with your liver function, health problems can result.
Diagnosis
Fatty liver is often detected incidentally before any symptoms occur. You may have an abdominal imaging test for another reason, and it can show an enlarged liver.
Sometimes MASLD is detected during an unrelated surgical procedure of the abdomen. Your surgeon may notice that your liver appears enlarged and lighter in color than a typical liver. If discovered during surgery, the texture may also be softer than a typical liver.
If you have risk factors for MASLD you may need a diagnostic evaluation so you and your medical team will know if you are developing fatty liver. And if you have started to develop some of the effects, then you may need a diagnostic workup to identify the cause of your symptoms.
Some tests you may have include:
Treatment
There is no cure for MASLD, but there are medications and strategies that can prevent it from developing and that can keep it from progressing if you already have it.
In 2024, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Rezdiffra (resmetirom) for the treatment of adults with MASH with moderate to advanced liver scarring (fibrosis). Rezdiffra is the first and only FDA-approved treatment for MASH. Rezdiffra has been shown to decrease liver scarring and should be used along with diet and exercise.
Managing fatty liver includes the following approaches:
There are several herbs associated with improved liver health.Milk thistle,turmeric, andburdockmay have detoxifying effects. Herbs have not been proven to work as effective treatments for MASLD, but experts suggest that they may have potential in treating this disease.
Three Herbs for Liver Health
Caution With Medications and Supplements
When you have liver disease, it is important that you are cautious when using medications, supplements, and herbs. A number of medications and supplements are harmful to the liver, so be sure to ask your pharmacist if any of your medications—even those that are over-the-counter—can damage the liver.
When the liver cannot detoxify chemicals effectively, their metabolites may build up in your body, causing harmful effects.
Diet
Liver disease can impair your metabolism of food, especially protein and fat. If you have MASLD, you should meet with a dietitian to get advice about managing your diet.
Transplant
A liver transplant can be an option for you if you have major health problems due to MASH, like cirrhosis.This is a major procedure, and it takes a toll on your body—so it isn’t necessarily right for everyone. You and your healthcare provider can discuss the risks and benefits of a liver transplant, and whether it would be an option for you.
What to Expect From a Liver Transplant
A Word From Verywell
It can be a shock to learn that you have liver disease, especially if you are not a heavy drinker. Keep in mind that even if you have MASLD or MASH, there are ways to manage your condition. When you follow the recommendations for managing your liver disease, your overall health will undoubtedly improve as well because the strategies—weight loss, eating healthy, natural foods, and blood sugar control—can help prevent many other conditions as well as MASLD and MASH.
Preventing MASLD
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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