Best Exercise for Fatty Liver: Due to changing lifestyles, we are facing many problems these days. Liver problems are one of them. Let us tell you how to avoid them.

What is fatty liver?

Why Fatty Liver Is Found During a Routine Check up: Many people go for a routine health checkup feeling perfectly normal, and the problem of fatty liver is silently written in the ultrasound report. Neither severe pain nor any serious symptoms. This is the biggest reason for this problem, that its symptoms are not visible. In medical terms, it is called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. When more than 5 percent of the total weight of the liver becomes fat, it is considered fatty liver. The beginning is silent, but as it progresses, it can reach cirrhosis.

Why is it often discovered by chance?

The liver is a highly resilient organ. In the initial stages, it continues to function normally, detoxifying, producing proteins, and aiding digestion. Complaints like fatigue or a slight heaviness in the right upper abdomen often go unnoticed. Dr. Anjali Saurabh, a specialist at Auro Super Speciality Hospital, Patna, explains that fatty liver is often detected during routine ultrasounds or other scans. Even liver function tests may be normal in the early stages, as the liver has a high capacity for regeneration.

What is happening inside the body?

Excess calories, especially from refined carbs and sugary drinks, accumulate in the liver as fat. Over time, this can lead to inflammation, fibrosis, and in severe cases, cirrhosis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this condition is associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and metabolic syndrome. This means it's not just a liver disease, but a sign of overall metabolic dysfunction.

Its cases are increasing rapidly in India. Urban lifestyles, prolonged sitting, processed foods, insufficient sleep, and stress are the main causes. It is estimated that approximately one in three adults in urban India may be affected by fatty liver. The World Health Organization has also warned about the increasing burden of lifestyle-related non-communicable diseases.

Is alcohol responsible for this?

The simple answer is no. A large number of patients are alcohol-free, yet they are still affected. This misconception often prevents people from taking timely action. The good news is that early-stage fatty liver can be reversed. Losing 5 to 10 percent of weight can reduce liver fat. Exercising at least 150 minutes a week, reducing sugary drinks, and controlling diabetes and cholesterol are all effective steps.