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:

• Alcoholic liver disease
• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

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:

• Being overweight or obese
• The presence of excess iron in the body
• Hepatitis C that causes inflammation of the liver

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:

• Obesity and diabetes: Obesity is caused due to an accumulation of fats in the body. The presence of a lot of fat leads affects the production of hormones and the release of proteins in the blood. An excess of fatty acids is also released in the blood. This also makes various cells, including liver cells, of the body resistant to insulin. All these lead to change in the metabolism process of the liver lead to an excess absorption of fat, that is not disposed of in equivalent quantities.
• Pregnancy: Pregnancy can cause acute fatty liver disease. This is mostly due to change in hormonal balance and production of hormones in the body. This condition can be risky for the expectant mother as well as for the unborn child. A doctor may recommend premature delivery and intensive care for the mother.