Experts release guideline on managing fatty liver disease, recommend these small things for 30% fat reduction

liver fat by 30%, according to the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver (APASL). The expert body has released its first clinical guideline for managing metabolic-dysfunction associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), emphasizing the role of exercise in improving liver health.

Exercise Benefits Beyond Weight Loss

The guideline, published in Hepatology International, states that while combining diet with structured exercise training has added benefits, regular physical activity alone provides significant liver-related and cardiometabolic improvements. «Regular exercise improves insulin sensitivity, reduces inflammation, and alters substrate metabolism in the muscle, liver, and adipose tissue, which affects hepatic free fatty acid flux,» the guideline states. It recommends 150-240 minutes per week of aerobic exercise but notes that even 135 minutes per week may be beneficial.

Rising Prevalence of MAFLD

MAFLD occurs when fat accumulates in the liver along with metabolic risk factors such as obesity, Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and metabolic dysregulation. A recent survey across 11 districts in Delhi found that nearly one in two adults over 18 years of age has MAFLD.

Health Risks and Long-Term Impact

Dr. S.K. Sarin, an expert involved in the guideline development and director of ILBS, highlighted the severe health risks associated with MAFLD. «Fatty liver precedes high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other non-communicable diseases by 10-15 years. By preventing and reversing fatty