One of the main functions of the liver is to break down fats. So, the presence of a small percentage of fat in the liver is considered normal. However, there can be instances when nearly 5 to 10% of the liver’s weight is made of up of fats. This happens because there is an abnormal accumulation of liver cells leading to the development of excess fats in the liver. In such cases, a person is said to be suffering from fatty liver disease. There are two types of this condition:
The first is caused due to an excess consumption of alcohol. Not only a prolonged period of heavy drinking, but a short period of drinking excess alcohol can lead to fatty liver disease. Sometimes ALD can be hereditary and passed down the genes. Other causes of alcoholic fatty liver disease include the following:
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is caused due to an abnormal metabolism inside the liver. As mentioned earlier, the liver plays an important role in the metabolism of fat in the body. The liver is also responsible for the removal fat from the blood. This fat is released by other body tissues and sometimes absorbed from the food that is consumed. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is caused when the liver is unable to break down the fat or when the liver produces too much fat, and there is too little disposal of the accumulated fat.
There is an abnormal accumulation of fat in the liver leading to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which is classified as fatty liver or isolated fatty liver or steatohepatitis (NASH). In NASH, there is liver inflammation that causes the liver cells to be damaged and die, leaving behind scar tissue. Here are some of the common causes of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: