Health

Lack of sleep could be a factor in a 'silent epidemic,' experts warn

Published

2 years ago

April 17, 2024

Lack of sleep could be a factor in a 'silent epidemic,' experts warn

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.

The primary cause of NAFLD is weight gain, along with metabolic risk factors such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high triglycerides and obstructive sleep apnea. (iStock)

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.

Patients with this disease are also at an increased risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes, a doctor warned. (iStock)

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.

Lack of high-quality sleep has been linked to weight gain, an increase in hunger and adverse blood sugar control, studies have shown. (iStock)

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.”

Imaging tests, such as ultrasounds or CT scans, can visually assess the appearance of the liver. (iStock)

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 important to follow up with a health care professional to manage metabolic risk factors, doctors advised. (iStock)

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.

For more Health articles, visit foxnews.com/health

Melissa Rudy is health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to melissa.rudy@fox.com.

Health

Common nighttime noise exposure may trigger heart problems, study suggests

Published

7 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Common nighttime noise exposure may trigger heart problems, study suggests

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Living near heavy traffic could negatively impact your heart health.

A European study, published in the journal Environmental Research, found that exposure to nighttime road traffic noise is linked to changes in the blood, leading to worsened cholesterol and cardiovascular risks.

The researchers considered data from the U.K. Biobank, Rotterdam Study, and Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966, including more than 272,000 adults over the age of 30, according to a press release.

Nighttime road noise exposure was estimated at all participants’ homes based on national noise maps. Researchers also took blood samples to measure the participants’ metabolic biomarkers for disease, then mapped the link between nightly noise levels and existence of biomarkers.

Exposure to loud noise was associated with increased concentrations of cholesterol-related biomarkers. (iStock)

The study found that people exposed to louder noise at night — especially sounds above 55 decibels — showed changes in 48 different substances in their blood. Twenty of these associations “remained robust” throughout all cohorts.

Exposure to loud noise was associated with increased concentrations of cholesterol-related biomarkers, especially LDL “bad” cholesterol, IDL (intermediate-density lipoprotein) and unsaturated fatty acids.

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As noise levels increased, starting at around 50 decibels, cholesterol markers rose steadily, the release stated.

The authors concluded that this study “provides evidence that nighttime road traffic noise exposure from 50 dB upward is associated with alterations in blood cholesterol and lipid profiles in adults.”

Researchers noted a link between traffic noise and cardiometabolic disease. (iStock)

Study co-author Yiyan He, doctoral researcher at the University of Oulu in Finland, noted that in this type of research, small effect sizes are expected, and environmental exposures such as traffic noise are “typically modest.”

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“Despite this, we observed statistically robust and consistent associations across many biomarkers, especially those related to LDL and IDL lipoproteins,” she told Fox News Digital.

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“We also identified a clear exposure-response pattern starting at around 50 dB, suggesting that metabolic changes become more evident as noise levels increase.”

This aligns with public health guidance, as the World Health Organization recommends lower nighttime noise limits at around 40 to 45 dB, Yiyan He added.

“This finding may clarify the association between traffic noise and cardiometabolic diseases,” the researchers wrote. (iStock)

“The 55 dB level is often used as an interim benchmark associated with substantial noise annoyance and sleep disturbance,” she said. “In our study, we observed associations not only at 55 dB, but also indications of effects emerging at around 50 dB.”

The strength and consistency of the cholesterol-related associations were surprising, as these changes are usually “subtle.”

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“Instead, we found consistent associations across multiple large European cohorts, which strengthens confidence that the findings may reflect real biological patterns,” Yiyan He went on. “We were also interested to see that effects were minimal below ~50 dB, suggesting a possible threshold-like pattern.”

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The researcher noted that these findings were consistent across genders, education levels and obesity status.

The study was restricted to White Europeans, which posed a limitation. There was also a lack of information on the fasting status in the UK Biobank.

Changes in cholesterol levels were more severe than researchers expected. (iStock)

“Fasting can influence levels of certain metabolites, particularly fatty acids,” Yiyan He said. “However, based on UK Biobank documentation, fewer than 10% of participants were fasting for at least eight hours, and our main findings focused on cholesterol-related biomarkers, which are generally less sensitive to short-term fasting.”

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The researchers also lacked information on bedroom location, indoor noise exposure and time spent at home.

“These factors may introduce non-differential exposure misclassification,” Yiyan He said. “Additionally, noise exposure estimates were based on participants’ temporary residential addresses at the time of blood sampling, without considering the duration of residence.”

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“Many of these limitations would tend to bias results toward the null, so the consistent associations we observed remain noteworthy.”

Experts recommend taking measures to limit traffic noise at night. (iStock)

Based on this latest research, Yiyan He noted that nighttime noise is a “health-relevant exposure,” not just “an annoyance.”

“Our findings suggest that nighttime traffic noise may subtly but consistently affect metabolic health,” she said. “While the changes in cholesterol and lipid levels for any one individual are small, traffic noise affects a very large number of people, which means the potential public health impact could be substantial.”

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The researcher recommends taking measures like improving sound insulation, using noise-reducing strategies and placing bedrooms on the quieter side of the home when possible.

“Because sleep is a key pathway linking noise to health, protecting the nighttime sleep environment is especially important,” she added.

Angelica Stabile is a lifestyle reporter for Fox News Digital.

Health

The Best Time To Drink Coffee for Weight Loss and a Faster Metabolism

Published

19 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

The Best Time To Drink Coffee for Weight Loss and a Faster Metabolism

The Best Time To Drink Coffee for Weight Loss and Fat Burn | Woman’s World

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