The liver is the second largest organ of your body. It plays a vital role in purifying your blood and metabolizing key nutrients in your body. A diseased liver cannot perform these functions well, leading to several health issues. In fact, liver diseases account for almost two million fatalities worldwide. Moreover, fatty liver disease is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in adults.
To better understand fatty liver disease, we break down the key differences between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and alcohol-related liver disease. Let’s dive in!
What Is Fatty Liver Disease?
As the name indicates, fatty liver disease refers to the excess build-up of fats inside your liver.
A healthy liver carries around 10-percent of fat. Any number beyond this percentage means you have fatty liver disease. This accumulation of excess fat stops your liver from functioning normally, leading to serious health complications.
The two common types of fatty liver disease are non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and alcohol-related fatty liver disease. Let’s explore these in more detail next.