Did you know that the number 1 cause of death (cardiovascular disease)¹ in the U.S. can be traced back to fatty liver disease and liver dysfunction? ² ³

Do you know that by 2040, over half the adult population is forecasted to have fatty liver disease? ⁴

A fatty, inflamed liver isn’t just a local problem – it’s both a barometer and an amplifier of the key chronic diseases that kill most people worldwide. The liver is the body’s true powerhouse, it performs over 500 functions by itself. ⁵
The liver is a vital organ responsible for a wide range of essential functions that keep the body in balance. It plays a central role in metabolism, including the processing of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, as well as the storage of glycogen, vitamins, and minerals. It is also crucial for detoxification, filtering out harmful substances from the blood, and for bile production, which aids in digestion and fat absorption. Additionally, the liver supports immune function, hormone regulation, and the synthesis of important proteins, such as clotting factors and albumin — making it one of the most multifunctional organs in the human body. ⁶

LIVER DYSFUNCTION & DISEASE 

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects up to 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. and is considered a key contributor to metabolic dysfunction, which underlies many of the leading causes of death.  Considering the ongoing obesity epidemic beginning in childhood, the rise in diabetes, and other factors, the prevalence of NAFLD along with the proportion of those with advanced liver disease is projected to continue to increase. NAFLD is the most common liver disease worldwide, and is now the second leading indication for liver transplantation in the United States, narrowly behind only alcohol-related liver disease. ²

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a spectrum of liver diseases ranging from simple steatosis to cirrhosis requiring a liver transplant. Its progression is strongly associated with health conditions such as obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and high triglycerides. NAFLD develops when excess fat accumulates in the liver, often as a result of factors like overweight, elevated blood sugar, dyslipidemia, or high blood pressure. When fat accumulation is accompanied by liver inflammation, the risk of disease progression increases significantly. ²

Risk factors associated with the onset and progression of NAFLD, according to the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA)² : 

All these conditions increase the likelihood of NAFLD, creating an environment where the disease is more likely to develop.
Liver dysfunction stands at the crossroads of the four chronic diseases linked to most deaths worldwide —cardiovascular disease, cancer, neurodegeneration (e.g. Alzheimer’s), and metabolic disease, such as type 2 diabetes: ⁵

Cardiovascular disease & Type 2 DM

When calorie intake—especially from sugary sources—exceeds what the liver can handle, it starts storing energy in the form of fat, loses insulin sensitivity, and pumps extra glucose and fatty acids into the bloodstream. Over time, this process greatly increases the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. ⁵ ³

Cancer Risk

Epidemiological studies reveal that people with NAFLD face increased rates of colorectal and other cancers—most likely because high insulin levels encourage rapid cell growth and chronic inflammation fuels tumor-promoting signals. ⁵

Neurodegeneration risk

Insulin resistance and chronic inflammation weaken the blood–brain barrier and disrupt insulin signaling in neurons, which promotes the development of Alzheimer’s disease. ⁵

Why the liver? Because it plays a central role in every bodily system and overall health, and fatty liver both signals and fuels metabolic dysfunction throughout the body. 
The liver is so vital because of its unique ability to regenerate after injury; in fact, it is the only organ that can do so. ⁷

REFERENCES:
¹ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). CDC WONDER Online Database: Data Request D176.
² Cotter TG, Rinella M. Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease 2020: The State of the Disease. Gastroenterology. 2020;158(7):1851-1864. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2020.01.052
³ Nakashima M, Nakamura K, Nishihara T, et al. Association between Cardiovascular Disease and Liver Disease, from a Clinically Pragmatic Perspective as a Cardiologist. Nutrients. 2023;15(3):748. Published 2023 Feb 1
⁴ Le MH, Yeo YH, Zou B, et al. Forecasted 2040 global prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease using hierarchical bayesian approach. Clin Mol Hepatol. 2022;28(4):841-850. doi:10.3350/cmh.2022.0239
⁵ Attia P. Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity. New York, NY: Harmony/Rodale; 2023.
⁶ Kalra A, Yetiskul E, Wehrle CJ, et al. Physiology, Liver. [Updated 2023 May 1]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535438/
⁷ Mao SA, Glorioso JM, Nyberg SL. Liver regeneration. Transl Res. 2014;163(4):352-362. doi:10.1016/j.trsl.2014.01.005