What is Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)?
Non alcoholic fatty liver disease is the most common liver disease in the world, affecting 10-15 percent of the population especially in countries with higher rates of obesity, high-GI diets and a high intake of dietary fat. Non alcoholic fatty liver disease has three basic stages. (1) Steatosis, during which fat accumulates in the liver. This stage is relatively harmless. (2) Non alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), during which fat-accumulation continues but is accompanied by liver inflammation (hepatitis), destruction of liver cells (necrosis), and scarring of the liver (fibrosis). (3) Cirrhosis, during which irreversible damage of the liver occurs. This may be life-threatening.
