So let’s talk about Fatty Liver
“Did you know that one in three adults has a fatty liver — and most don’t even realize it?”
With a rough adult population in Australia of 20 million , 1 in 3 translates to ~6–7 million adults
So what are the common early symptoms ? Symptoms can be mild and vague and include
- Fatigue or weakness
- Discomfort or pain in the upper right abdomen (where the liver is located)
- Unexplained tiredness
- Mild nausea or loss of appetite
- Hard to lose weight
- Excess fat storage around the abdomen can be a sign that the body is not handling fats and sugars efficiently. When this pattern continues over time, you may have to consider the possibility that more fats are also being stored in your liver.
So why is the liver so important ?
Your liver is like your body’s internal filter — it processes everything you eat, breathe, and absorb through your skin. It converts nutrients into energy, detoxifies chemicals, and breaks down fats and hormones.
But when this system becomes overloaded, fat starts to accumulate inside the liver cells — that’s what we call fatty liver or hepatic steatosis.
So the main causes of Fatty Liver disease has changed over time.
Decades ago, liver disease was most commonly associated with excessive alcohol consumption. Chronic alcohol use led to a condition called alcoholic fatty liver disease — where fat accumulates in the liver due to the toxic effects of alcohol metabolism.
However, in recent years, there has been a dramatic shift. Fatty liver disease is now increasingly seen in people who do not drink alcohol at all. This condition is called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) It’s a condition where too much fat builds up in the liver — but not because of alcohol. but due to metabolic problems that can arise from obesity and insulin resistance.
So what are the main culprits in Fatty Liver Disease?
High Fructose & Processed Sugars
Modern diets are packed with hidden fructose — from soft drinks, syrups, and processed snacks. Unlike glucose, fructose is metabolized only in the liver, where excess amounts are rapidly turned into fat. Over time, this fat builds up and slows detoxification.
🍞 Overeating Refined Carbohydrates, not just fructose also creates a fatty liver
Turn that old diet pyramid upside down literally. This was designed to make you fat and insulin resistant.
White bread, pasta, and processed cereals spike blood sugar and insulin. Chronically high insulin levels tell the body to store more fat, including in your liver..
☣️ Toxic Load – Chemicals, Pesticides, and Pollutants
Your liver also filters thousands of chemicals daily — from pesticides in food, additives, medications, and even skincare products. When the toxic load exceeds the liver’s capacity, detox pathways become sluggish. The body then stores toxins in fat tissue — including liver fat — as a protective mechanism.
🍷 Alcohol & Medication Overload
Alcohol and certain medications (like painkillers or cholesterol drugs) demand extra detox work from the liver. Chronic exposure can deplete vital antioxidants in the liver such as glutathione which increases fat accumulation
💤 Nutrient Deficiency & Stress
Low levels of B vitamins, choline, antioxidants, and amino acids impair the liver’s ability to metabolize fat.
Chronic Stress
Chronic stress raises cortisol, which drives cravings and fat storage, while also slowing liver repair and bile flow.
🦠 Gut-Liver Connection
An unhealthy gut microbiome produces a lot of endotoxins as part of bacterial waste . if you have a leaky gut these can be transported to the liver through the portal vein. This triggers inflammation and worsens fatty buildup .
