More than a third of adults fail to get the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep each night — and the scarcity of shuteye can have a surprising effect.

Lack of sleep can lead to what some experts refer to as a “silent epidemic” — a condition called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which affects more than one in four American adults, according to the American Heart Association.

What is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)?

As its name implies, NAFLD is marked by the presence of fat in the liver.

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The primary cause is weight gain, along with metabolic risk factors such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high triglycerides and obstructive sleep apnea, according to Ibrahim Hanouneh, a gastroenterologist with MNGI Digestive Health in Minnesota.

“Heavy alcohol consumption can also lead to fatty liver, but NAFL refers to fatty liver that occurs in the setting of metabolic syndrome and weight gain in the absence of heavy alcohol consumption — hence the name ‘non-alcoholic,’” Hanouneh told Fox News Digital.

The condition is also known as MASLD (metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease) to reflect the association between fatty liver and metabolic syndrome.

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A family history of fatty liver can also increase the risk, noted Hanouneh, who is also co-author of the book “Regenerative Health: Discover Your Metabolic Type and Renew Your Liver for Life.”

NAFL is known as the “silent epidemic” because it often has no symptoms. 

“In some studies, fatty liver has affected 25% to 33% of the general population — almost one out of four individuals — but the vast majority of individuals have no symptoms at all, particularly in the early stages,” said Hanouneh.

Some people may have non-specific symptoms, such as fatigue, foggy memory and abdominal pain.

“Generally speaking, fatty liver disease does not cause major symptoms until it is too late — for example, when the patient has already developed cirrhosis or liver cancer,” Hanouneh said.  

Fatty liver disease is associated with an increased risk of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.  

“The vast majority of individuals have no symptoms at all, particularly in the early stages.”

“NAFLD has become the leading indication of liver transplantation and the leading cause of liver cancer in the Western world,” noted Hanouneh.  

Patients with this disease are also at an increased risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes, he warned.  

“Some studies also suggest that patients with NAFL are at an increased risk of getting type 2 diabetes,” he added.

Not all people with NAFLD experience liver damage. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the more severe form, leads to swelling or inflammation of the liver and damage to liver cells, according to the American Liver Foundation’s website.

This can ultimately lead to fibrosis, or scarring, of the liver.

Link between sleep and NAFLD

Lack of high-quality sleep has been linked to weight gain, an increase in hunger and adverse blood sugar control in multiple studies, according to Kristin Kirkpatrick, a registered dietitian at Cleveland Clinic and co-author of “Regenerative Health.”

“Insulin resistance is a major risk factor for abnormal amounts of fat in the liver,” said Kirkpatrick.

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The risk is particularly high for postmenopausal women, she noted. One study found that chronic short sleep duration led to a 20% increase in insulin levels among that group, compared to 15% overall.

“The stress on the body caused by a lack of sleep can cause adverse metabolic changes that ultimately may lead to NAFLD,” Kirkpatrick said.

The expert also cited a new study in JAMA (the Journal of the American Medical Association) showing that short sleep duration increased the risk for type 2 diabetes.

“Though some risks could be offset by a healthy diet, a majority could not be reversed by a nutrient-rich dietary pattern,” she said.  

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“Type 2 diabetics have a significant increase in risk of developing NAFLD.”

Maintaining consistent sleeping hours may help with weight management, Kirkpatrick told Fox News Digital. 

“That means going to bed and waking up at the same time on weekdays and weekends.”

Screening, treatment and prevention

Due to the “silent” nature of NAFLD, experts stressed the importance of screening for fatty liver in patients with risk factors — even if there are no signs or symptoms of liver disease.

“NAFLD is a preventable disease,” Hanouneh told Fox News Digital. 

“It is also a reversible disease at early stages.”

Three main types of tests are used to diagnose the condition, according to JAMA Network.

Blood tests can measure inflammation in the liver. 

Imaging tests, such as ultrasounds or CT scans, can visually assess the appearance of the organ.

“NAFLD is a preventable disease — and reversible at early stages.”

There are also some newer tests that measure the amount of fat in the liver — “such as transient elastography, an ultrasound-based test that measures how stiff the liver is” — but they may not be very reliable for diagnosing more advanced liver disease, JAMA Network stated.

For those who have been diagnosed, a low-carbohydrate diet is key to managing fatty liver disease, experts agreed.

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“Studies suggest that a low-carb diet that leads to weight loss of 5% to 10% can potentially reverse fatty liver disease,” Hanouneh said.  

“Also, cut back or abstain from alcohol depending on the degree of fatty liver disease.”

It’s also important to follow up with a health care professional to manage metabolic risk factors, he said — particularly type 2 diabetes, which is “crucial in the management of fatty liver disease.”

For people with NAFLD, Hanouneh also recommended incorporating regular exercise, particularly interval training, three times a week.  

Coffee has also shown potential benefits for fatty liver.  

“I typically recommend one to two cups of black coffee a day if possible,” Hanouneh said.

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