The Role of Obesity in Fatty Liver Disease

At UniQ Pathlab, we offer a comprehensive Liver Test in Delhi designed to identify fatty liver and monitor your liver’s condition over time.

Jun 26, 2025 - 12:32
Jun 26, 2025 - 13:00
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The Role of Obesity in Fatty Liver Disease

You may believe liver disease only affects heavy drinkers, but that’s not true. Because many people sit a lot and eat a lot of calories, obesity now causes most cases of fatty liver disease and millions may not even realize they have it. The extra pounds you have around your waist? It might be slowly harming your liver.

What Is Fatty Liver Disease?

When there is too much fat in the liver cells, it is called fatty liver disease. When more than 5–10% of the liver is fat, it starts to cause problems with how the liver works.

If this condition isn’t related to drinking alcohol, it is known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). It is linked to problems with lifestyle such as obesity, high cholesterol and insulin resistance which are becoming more common in people of all ages.

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How Obesity Contributes to Fatty Liver

Having too much visceral fat which is obesity, directly contributes to fatty liver. The fat in the liver releases free fatty acids that enter the blood and are stored there gradually.

It also results in:

  • Insulin resistance which slows down how fat is processed

  • Inflammation that continues over time, damaging liver cells

  • Issues with hormones which make it more difficult to lose fat

Because the liver is overloaded, it finds it difficult to deal with fat effectively. If left untreated, this can result in permanent damage to the liver and put a person’s health at risk.

Symptoms of Fatty Liver Disease

Fatty liver disease is commonly called a silent disease since it usually doesn’t cause any symptoms in the beginning. As the disease worsens, you could see:

  • Tiredness or feeling weak

  • Upper right abdomen discomfort or pain

  • Losing weight without trying

  • Severe cases may cause the skin or eyes to turn yellow.

  • Swelling in the legs or the abdomen

Often, the liver has already been damaged by the time symptoms appear. Therefore, people in Delhi who are at risk and especially those who are overweight, should get a Liver Test as soon as possible.

The Two Types: NAFLD and NASH

Fatty liver comes in two main types.

  • The first, reversible stage of NAFLD involves fat accumulation without much inflammation.

  • NASH (Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis): A condition where the liver becomes inflamed and damaged and this can cause fibrosis, cirrhosis or liver cancer.

If someone is obese and also has diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure, they are more likely to develop NASH from NAFLD.

Why Many People Don’t Know They Have It

Since fatty liver is usually symptomless, it is often not found unless you have regular tests. A lot of people become aware of liver problems when:

  • They may have blood tests done for reasons other than their cancer.

  • Patients with abdominal pain may have a liver ultrasound.

  • ALT and AST are commonly found in higher levels when blood is checked

At UniQ Pathlab, our Liver Test in Delhi checks the levels of liver enzymes, bilirubin and protein production to spot fatty liver before it causes any symptoms.

Long-Term Risks of Untreated Fatty Liver

It is very risky to ignore fatty liver. Without being treated, it might develop into:

  • Scarring of the liver

  • Cirrhosis is the term for advanced liver damage.

  • Liver failure

  • Liver cancer is called hepatocellular carcinoma.

  • A higher chance of heart problems

People with fatty liver are actually more likely to die from heart disease than from their liver condition. For this reason, it is very important to find the disease early and make healthy lifestyle changes.

The Importance of Routine Liver Testing

You can easily, affordably and safely get a Liver Test in Delhi. Routine tests are able to show:

  • Higher than normal levels of ALT and AST

  • High or low amounts of bilirubin

  • Difficulties with the liver’s normal function

  • Inflammation or scarring on the skin

They make it possible for doctors to detect fatty liver early, when it can be treated by changing your diet, exercising and losing weight.

Lifestyle Changes That Can Reverse Fatty Liver

The most effective way to treat fatty liver caused by obesity is to lose weight and adopt a healthier way of living. Losing just 5–10% of your weight can help reduce the fat in your liver.

Strategies that work well are:

  • Including vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and healthy fats in your diet in a Mediterranean way

  • Try to stay away from sugar-sweetened drinks and foods that come from a package

  • Getting at least 150 minutes of exercise in each week

  • Having enough sleep and dealing with stress

  • Giving up alcohol and tobacco

If liver monitoring is done regularly, these changes can reverse liver damage and stop it from getting worse.

Conclusion

Obesity and fatty liver disease often go hand in hand—but they don’t have to lead to serious illness. With early detection, informed lifestyle changes, and regular testing, you can protect your liver and your overall health.

At UniQ Pathlab, we offer a comprehensive Liver Test in Delhi designed to identify fatty liver and monitor your liver’s condition over time. Our expert team ensures accurate results and timely reports to support your journey to better health.