Bad eating habits leading to NAFL disease, say experts

LUCKNOW: Non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) disease is on the rise these days due to bad eating habits, according to experts. Once considered to be a disease associated with excessive alcohol consumption, NAFL disease is now affecting more people, specially youngsters, officials of Lucknow branch of Association of Physicians of India (API) said here on Sunday.

Speaking on the occasion of launch of API, Lucknow branch, Dr Sanjay Tandon, secretary API, Lucknow, said, “Incidence of fatty liver is increasing and up to 10% cases of liver disease these days is because of NAFL.”

Though a simple fatty liver condition is reversible in most cases, if not managed properly, it can lead to a more serious liver disease, said Dr Sandeep Chaudhary, joint secretary API, Lucknow.

Citing reasons for the spread of this disease, DR Atul Mehrotra, chairman API, Lucknow, said adulteration along with inactivity in our daily lives could be consid- ered to be the reasons behind the spread of the disease. “We eat and consume a lot of things that carry chemicals. Right from shampoo to packaged food, all have some chemicals, though within safe limits. But when calculated collectively, our daily exposure to chemicals can cause troubles such as NAFL disease in the long run.”

NAFL is the accumulation of extra fat in liver cells which is not caused by alcohol. It is normal for liver to contain some fat. However, if more than 5- 10% of liver’s weight is constituted by fat, then it is called a fatty liver.

“Our body has a system to remove toxins but only to a limit. When exposure to chemicals becomes large, it causes medical problems,” said Dr Rajiv Awasthi.

NAFL disease may cause the liver to swell (steatohepatitis). A swollen liver may also cause scarring (cirrhosis). “Luckily grade two of this problem can be reverted to grade one but not grade three which leads to cirrhosis,” said Dr Ritu Karoli.