30s Watch Out: Recognize Fatty Liver, the Silent Killer, and How to Prevent It
Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- Fatty liver disease, a silent killer caused by fat accumulation in the liver, is increasingly found in younger adults, particularly those in their 30s.
- The condition is linked to metabolic disorders like obesity, diabetes, and unhealthy lifestyles, with global prevalence estimated at 30% and rising.
- Lifestyle changes, including gradual weight loss and reduced intake of sugary drinks, are the most effective ways to prevent and manage fatty liver disease, rather than relying on supplements.
Fatty liver disease, a condition characterized by fat buildup in the liver, is becoming alarmingly common among younger adults, especially those in their 30s, earning it the moniker "silent killer."
Dr. Widya Khairunnisa Sarkowi, a doctor and lecturer at IPB University, explains that fatty liver develops slowly without obvious clinical signs, potentially leading to irreversible liver damage. Many individuals are unaware they have the condition until detected through ultrasounds or liver enzyme tests. Those with obesity, diabetes, or other metabolic disorders face a higher risk.
Many people feel healthy, but when examined via ultrasound (ultrasonography) or liver enzyme tests, fatty liver is already found. Individuals with obesity, diabetes mellitus, or other metabolic disorders have a higher risk of experiencing fatty liver.
Globally, an estimated 30% of the population is affected by fatty liver, a figure that continues to climb. In Indonesia, the prevalence of adult obesity rose from 21.8% in 2018 to 23.4% in 2023, with central obesity affecting 36.8% of those over 15. These statistics signal a growing problem with metabolic health, including obesity, high sugar and calorie diets, and physical inactivity.
The use of medication alone is not enough without being accompanied by healthy lifestyle changes. Scientific evidence shows that lifestyle changes remain the most effective way to prevent and overcome fatty liver.
Dr. Widya emphasizes that fatty liver is not exclusive to overweight individuals; those with normal weight but central obesity, insulin resistance, or unhealthy lifestyles are also susceptible. The disease indicates broader metabolic dysfunction throughout the body.
She advises against relying on quick fixes like supplements or detox products, stressing that scientific evidence points to lifestyle changes as the most effective strategy. Key recommendations include gradual weight loss (5-10% of body weight can reduce liver fat and inflammation) and significantly cutting down on sugary drinks, as advised by the WHO, which recommends free sugar intake below 10% of daily energy needs, ideally under 5%.
WHO recommends free sugar consumption of less than 10 percent of total daily energy needs, ideally below 5 percent.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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