Fatty Liver Alliance’s Post

The words of patients matter. No one can explain what having MASLD, MASH and cirrhosis is like better than a patient who has experienced what these diseases are like and how they impact lives. Kerry Sivia faced a harrowing diagnosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cirrhosis of the liver, despite having no family history of liver disease. In her blog today, Kerry raises awareness about the transformative power of lifestyle changes. "If you are newly diagnosed with MASLD, I have been where you are. I know it’s daunting, but I also know that it’s worth it. Here are some tips psychologists say can be helpful to keep in mind when working on changing your habits after a MASLD diagnosis, and many have worked for me personally." 1. Little changes can lead to big results 2. Avoid temptation 3. Focus on the little picture, not just the big one 4. Celebrate achievements instead of focusing on perceived failures 5. Enjoy treats in moderation 6. You don’t have to sacrifice convenience or spend a lot of money 7. Technology is helpful 8. Communicate your goals with family, friends, and healthcare providers #liverhealth #transformativejourney #MASH #MASLD #cirrhosis Maru/Mary Rinella, European Liver Patients' Association - ELPA, Global Liver Institute, EASL | The Home of Hepatology, Global NASH Council, American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), Canadian Association for the Study of the Liver

Short and informative article explaining the renaming of NAFLD and NASH

This second episode of 10 videos, discusses the risk factors for MASLD and MASH and is with Dr. Mazen Noureddin, MD, MHSc, Hepatologist from HOUSTON METHODIST HOSPITAL and Michael Betel, President and Founder of Fatty Liver Alliance. In "Risk Factors Unearthed: Exploration of the critical risk factors associated with disease progression", Dr. Noureddin highlights the epidemic of fatty liver disease, attributing its rise to increasing rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes, which contribute to the disease's progression. He clarifies the distinction between MASLD, essentially fatty accumulation in the liver, and MASH, which involves inflammation and potential progression to cirrhosis, emphasizing that these conditions can occur without alcohol consumption and are often associated with metabolic syndrome components like diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and dyslipidemia. Highlights include: 1. Understanding the Role of Metabolic Syndrome in MASLD/MASH: Patients should be aware of how obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia contribute to the progression of fatty liver diseases like MASLD and MASH. Recognizing these connections empowers patients to take proactive steps in managing these conditions to slow disease progression and improve liver health. 2. Importance of Comprehensive Risk Assessment Beyond Liver Enzymes: Liver enzyme levels may not always accurately reflect the severity of liver damage. Patients should seek thorough evaluations that consider the full spectrum of risk factors, including lifestyle factors and comorbid conditions like sleep apnea and psoriasis, to obtain a more accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment plan. 3. Lifestyle Modifications and Medication Management Can Control Destiny: Encouraging news for patients is that lifestyle changes, alongside proper medication management, can significantly impact their liver health. Effective management of metabolic comorbidities through diet, exercise, and the appropriate use of medications, including newer diabetes treatments and statins for cholesterol, can not only improve overall health but also potentially halt or reverse liver damage. Thank you Madrigal Pharmaceuticals and Regeneron for the unrestricted grant that helped make this patient education series a reality, and a special thank you to all the presenters who shared their wealth of knowledge and experience! American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), EASL | The Home of Hepatology, Global Liver Institute, Global NASH Council, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Tawazun Health, Novo Nordisk, European Liver Patients' Association - ELPA, LiverScan Direct, Surfing MASH, Eli Lilly and Company, Sentrex Health, #liverhealth #masld #mash

Part 3/10 of "Liver Insights: Illuminating the Path Through MASLD & MASH" will help prepare patients for their discussions about MASLD and MASH with their healthcare providers. Dr. Supriya Joshi, Hepatologist at Credit Valley Hospital, Chair of the Fatty Liver Alliance Medical Advisory Committee, and Instagram influencer, discusses with Michael Betel. 1. Combating Stigma and Promoting Open Dialogue: Dr. Joshi underscores the critical need to dismantle the negative stereotypes surrounding liver disease, advocating for a culture of open and honest dialogue between patients and healthcare providers. This strategy is designed to empower patients, allowing them to discuss their health openly without the fear of being judged, thereby fostering a deeper understanding of their condition and how to manage it effectively. 2. Expanding Awareness of Liver Disease Varieties: Dr. Joshi points out the extensive range of liver diseases that go beyond the commonly perceived alcohol-related or infectious diseases. She particularly highlights metabolic liver diseases and the significant role of insulin resistance in these conditions. By educating patients on the wide spectrum of liver diseases and their interconnection with metabolic syndromes, Dr. Joshi aims to enhance patient knowledge and encourage proactive disease management. 3. Emphasizing the Role of Lifestyle in Disease Management: Central to Dr. Joshi's discussion is the impact of lifestyle modifications on combating liver disease. She provides guidance on the importance of a balanced diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and the supplementation of vitamins such as vitamin D, to not just target liver health directly but to also improve overall physical well-being. This holistic approach not only aims at addressing the liver condition at hand but also offers a positive and hopeful perspective for patients, outlining actionable steps towards a healthier life. Thank you Madrigal Pharmaceuticals and Regeneron for the unrestricted grant that helped make this patient education series a reality, and a special thank you to all the presenters who shared their wealth of knowledge and experience! American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), Canadian Association for the Study of the Liver, EASL | The Home of Hepatology, Global NASH Council, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Cheryl Dale RN(EC) MScN AF-AASLD, Mark Donnison, EMBA, Philippe Garneau, Hsiao-Ming Jung, European Liver Patients' Association - ELPA, Global Liver Institute, Tawazun Health, Surfing MASH, Arizona Liver Health, Summit Clinical Research, Aegle Medical, LiverScan Direct, Livera Health, Fatty Liver Foundation, NASH kNOWledge, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, FDA, Canadian Institutes of Health Research | Instituts de recherche en santé du Canada, Novo Nordisk, Academic Medical Education, Medscape Education, Inventiva Pharma

This week Michael Betel had a fireside chat with Dr. Jonathan G. Stine, MD MSc, FACP, Hepatologist from Penn State University and their discussion centered on the importance of exercise in managing liver health, particularly in the context of fatty liver disease (MASLD). Dr. Stine emphasized the significant findings of his research, highlighting that exercise can improve liver health biomarkers, even without substantial weight loss. Key Takeaways (but the video is so much better to watch!) 1. Exercise Improves Liver Health: Regular exercise can significantly improve markers of liver health, such as serum biomarkers of liver fibroinflammation, even without substantial weight loss. This is crucial for patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). 2. Minimal Weight Loss Required: Dr. Stine's research found that exercise training led to improvements in liver health markers without the need for significant weight loss. This challenges the traditional focus solely on weight loss for liver health improvement. 3. Non-Invasive Tests Validate Benefits: Non-invasive tests, like MRI and FibroScan, have been used to confirm the positive impact of exercise on liver health, making it easier to monitor improvements. 4. Synergy with Drug Therapies: Lifestyle interventions, including exercise, can work synergistically with emerging drug therapies to enhance liver health outcomes. This highlights the importance of a comprehensive treatment approach. 5. Multidisciplinary Approach Is Key: A multidisciplinary approach, involving exercise physiologists, dieticians, and behavioral psychologists, alongside pharmacological treatments, offers a tailored and effective strategy for managing liver health. 6. Empowerment Beyond the Scale: The conversation emphasizes moving beyond weight loss as the sole indicator of health improvement, encouraging patients and clinicians to consider broader lifestyle changes and their benefits. 7. Accessibility and Generalizability of Findings: The research suggests that the benefits of exercise for liver health can be accessible and applicable to a wide patient population, not limited to those participating in clinical studies. 8. Living the Healthy Lifestyle: Dr. Stine leads by example and personally exemplifies the healthy lifestyle he advocates for, demonstrating the commitment of healthcare professionals to their own research and advice. Dr. Stine's commitment to research and patient care exemplifies the proactive steps being taken in the medical community to combat liver diseases, emphasizing the power of exercise as a tool for improving liver health outcomes. Source paper: Liver International, 2023;00:1-9. DOI: 10.1111/liv.15769 #healthylivers #healthylives #exercise #liverhealth American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), Canadian Association for the Study of the Liver, EASL | The Home of Hepatology

Here are 5 things MASLD and MASH Patients Want to know. 1. Impact on Health: Patients frequently ask whether the fat in their liver is harming their health and what the potential risks are if the condition progresses. 2. Disease Progression: Many are concerned about whether their fatty liver disease could become more serious, specifically if it could evolve into metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) or lead to cirrhosis and liver failure. 3. Treatment Options: Understanding the available treatments and changes they can make in their lifestyle is crucial. Patients often inquire about diet, exercise, medications, and in some cases, surgical options that might be recommended. 4. Lifestyle Changes: Questions frequently arise about what specific dietary and physical activity modifications can help manage or reverse the condition. This includes details on weight management, healthy eating, and exercise routines. 5. Overall Management: Patients also seek advice on managing MASLD alongside other health issues they might have, such as diabetes or high cholesterol, and they are often interested in how these conditions interact and affect each other. American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) EASL | The Home of Hepatology Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) European Liver Patients' Association - ELPA Global Liver Institute American Liver Foundation Global Liver Institute Global NASH Council (Blog created in collaboration with CHATGPT 4.0).

#WorldLiverDay (World Liver day), on the day celebrated on 19th April every year with the aim of spreading awareness about the second largest organ in the body, come and live a healthy life by doing necessary amendments in your food! Liver is a very useful part of our body, we should take special care of it, the liver is the most damaged by junk food and alcohol. Increase in fatty liver cases nowadays indicates that we are not able to control our food. Let's take a pledge that we will do our responsibility in keeping our liver healthy. Cases of liver cancer are also very visible nowadays. Any liver related problems in the beginning we should be serious and diagnosed with medical advice, any kind of negligence in case of liver can put our lives at risk. #ShriSaiHospital #healthyliver #fattyliver #livercancer

In today's fireside chat , Michael Betel, President and Founder of the Fatty Liver Alliance, and Professor Giada Sebastiani, Hepatologist at McGill University, explore the comprehensive management of fatty liver disease, now termed MASLD, and reflect on her recently published perspective paper, "Integrating behavioral interventions into a holistic approach to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease". https://lnkd.in/gW2C5v4j Giada Sebastiani emphasized the necessity of a holistic, multidisciplinary approach to treating MASLD, acknowledging the complexity of the disease that affects multiple systems beyond the liver. She highlighted the recent approval of Rezdiffra for treating MASH in the U.S., which should be complemented with lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise. Dr. Sebastiani underscored that while pharmacological solutions are crucial, they must be integrated with behavioral interventions and lifestyle modifications to be truly effective. Here are the three key takeaways from the discussion: 1. Holistic and Multidisciplinary Approach: Effective management of MASLD requires a comprehensive approach that integrates pharmacological treatments with lifestyle modifications such as diet, exercise, and behavioral interventions. Addressing the disease's multifaceted nature, which affects multiple systems beyond the liver, is essential for improving patient outcomes. 2. Early Intervention and Personalized Care: Early intervention targeting upstream issues like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and eating disorders is crucial in preventing the progression of MASLD. Personalized care tailored to individual patient characteristics enhances the effectiveness of treatment and promotes better health outcomes. 3. Patient Education and Advocacy: Empowering patients with knowledge about MASLD and available treatment options is vital for enabling informed decision-making and encouraging early diagnosis and intervention. Increased awareness and advocacy efforts are essential for improving the management of MASLD and supporting affected individuals. American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), EASL the home of Hepatology, Canadian Association for the Study of the Liver, Global NASH Council, Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Jonathan G. Stine, MD MSc, FACP, Surfing MASH, Sahar Saeed, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Manal Abdelmalek, European Liver Patients' Association - ELPA, LPI LIVER PATIENTS INTERNATIONAL

SERIES – LIVER HEALTH | EPISODE - 7 TOPIC - LIVER HEALTH AWARENESS The liver is the largest internal organ in the human body and is located in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen. Despite being less visible than other organs, the liver is crucial for numerous physiological functions. It serves as the primary site for metabolism and detoxification in the body, playing a pivotal role in maintaining overall health. Understanding the multifaceted nature of its functions is essential for comprehending its indispensable role in the body's well-being. Essential Functions: Nutrient Processing: The liver is responsible for processing nutrients that we ingest. It converts complex carbohydrates into glucose, which is our body's primary energy source. It also stores excess glucose as glycogen for later use. In addition, the liver processes amino acids, which are the building blocks for protein synthesis throughout the body. But the liver's responsibilities don't stop there. It also plays a vital role in the production of bile, which is essential for digestion. The liver also produces proteins that are necessary for blood clotting. It also helps regulate cholesterol levels in the body. Detoxification: The liver acts as the body's natural filter, working continuously to eliminate toxins and metabolic by-products from the bloodstream. These harmful substances can come from medications, environmental pollutants, and the body's own natural processes. The liver effectively neutralizes these toxins, transforming them into harmless compounds that are then expelled from the body through urine or feces. Production of Essential Substances: The liver plays a crucial role in producing important biomolecules essential for our health. It is responsible for synthesizing proteins that are vital for blood clotting, which is necessary for proper wound healing and preventing excessive bleeding. Furthermore, the liver produces albumin and other proteins that support the immune system, helping the body fight against infections. Additionally, the liver manufactures bile, a yellowish fluid that is critical for the digestion and absorption of fats in the small intestine. Follow me to know more: ▪️YouTube - https://lnkd.in/gfnf6Mue ▪️Facebook - https://lnkd.in/gmBmS23B ▪️LinkedIn - https://lnkd.in/ginAXjAr ▪️Instagram - https://lnkd.in/gk3HXwj4 ▪️Pinterest - https://pin.it/58R6kHGBF DM to get CUSTOMIZE solutions: What's app - https://lnkd.in/gA5SRkZX #liverhealthawareness #awareness #series-liverhealth #episode-7 #coach_rimpeshparekh #wecanhelp #healthyactivelifestylehub #likemindedcommunity #happysouls #onemission #liveyourbestlife #weightloss #fatloss #musclegain #bodytransformation Like, Comment and Subscribe🙏🏻 https://lnkd.in/dzXYaC5T

"Metabolic dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) and Metabolic dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH) are relatively new terms in the medical lexicon, particularly evolving from a better understanding of liver diseases traditionally categorized under Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and Non-Alcoholic SteatoHepatitis (NASH). These conditions are primarily characterized by an excess accumulation of fat in the liver, leading to inflammation and potential liver damage." Here are the first 4 of the top 10 causes or contributing factors for MASLD and MASH (check out our blog today for 6 more): "1. **Obesity**: Excessive fat accumulation, particularly visceral fat, significantly increases the risk of developing fatty liver disease. Obesity leads to insulin resistance, a key factor in MASLD and MASH development. 2. **Insulin Resistance and Type 2 Diabetes**: Insulin resistance impairs the body’s ability to handle glucose and fats, which can lead to their accumulation in the liver. Type 2 diabetes is closely associated with these liver conditions. 3. **Hyperlipidemia**: Elevated levels of lipids in the blood, especially triglycerides, can contribute to fat deposition in the liver. 4. **Poor Diet**: Diets high in saturated fats, trans fats, refined carbohydrates, and ultra-processed foods (especially with fructose) can contribute to MASLD and MASH. A diet lacking in essential nutrients may exacerbate liver damage." Obesity Matters Obesity Canada – Obésité Canada Canadian Institutes of Health Research | Instituts de recherche en santé du Canada Canadian Association of Hepatology Nurses Canadian Association for the Study of the Liver Global Liver Institute Global NASH Council