Fatty liver disease is caused by an accumulation of excess fat in the liver when the liver does not process and break down fats properly. The main causes and risk factors include:
- Overweight and obesity , especially excess fat around the abdomen, which is the most common cause of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
- Metabolic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, and metabolic syndrome (a cluster of conditions including high blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol levels)
- Excessive alcohol consumption , which leads to alcoholic fatty liver disease. Drinking more than 10 standard drinks per week or binge drinking increases risk
- Rapid weight loss and malnutrition , which can disrupt normal fat metabolism in the liver
- Other less common causes include an underactive thyroid, certain medications, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), chronic viral hepatitis (especially hepatitis C), exposure to toxins, and genetic factors
Fatty liver can develop because fat comes from other parts of the body, the liver absorbs more fat from the intestine, or the liver loses its ability to convert fat into a form that can be eliminated
. The condition can be stable for years but may progress to inflammation, liver damage, and cirrhosis if untreated
. In summary, fatty liver disease results primarily from metabolic imbalances related to obesity, diabetes, and lipid abnormalities, as well as from heavy alcohol use and other less common factors
