Liver issues are often associated with alcohol, but an unhealthy diet can also contribute, particularly through fatty liver disease. Poor eating habits, like consuming processed foods and unhealthy fats, can cause fat build-up in the liver, leading to inflammation and scarring. Without treatment, it can progress to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.
Sharan Verma, a nutritionist specialising in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), was inspired by her father’s battle with the condition. Diagnosed at 50, his fatty liver worsened due to lack of dietary guidance, eventually leading to liver cirrhosis and his untimely death. This experience motivated Sharan to study nutrition and focus on liver disease prevention. Partnering with the British Liver Trust, her research highlighted the Mediterranean diet as an effective approach to managing fatty liver, fuelling her passion to help others.
Speaking with Asian Voice, Sharan discussed the challenges of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and the growing concerns surrounding it.
What are some of the most common misconceptions people have about NAFLD and how diet can impact it?
One of the biggest misconceptions about liver disease is that it’s only related to alcohol, but fatty liver disease is actually caused by food choices. A major issue I see, especially among people I help, is that when they’re first diagnosed, they don’t take it seriously. They fail to understand that the liver is just as vital as the heart. Even though there may not be any immediate symptoms, the problem still exists. As liver disease progresses, you may start feeling pain in the right side of your abdomen, experience fatigue, or develop jaundice. That's when people start to worry and seek medical attention, only to be told that the disease has advanced.
Liver disease is often called a "silent killer" because, by the time symptoms appear, the damage is already significant. The only way to detect it early is through blood tests. If liver enzymes are elevated or your liver function is inflamed, it can signal a problem. That’s when doctors will take action. Without these tests, liver disease often goes unnoticed until it's too late. For early detection, people can visit my website or the British Liver Trust’s site to take a liver screening. By answering a few questions, they can assess whether they’re at risk for fatty liver disease.
Have you noticed a rise in NAFLD diagnoses in recent years? If so, what do you think is contributing to this trend?
According to the British Liver Trust, 90% of liver disease cases are preventable through diet and lifestyle changes. I’m seeing a significant increase in patients—about five or six inquiries a day—from the NHS and others who have recently been diagnosed with fatty liver. It’s alarming. The main contributing factors are our diet and lifestyle. People aren't moving as much as they used to and are increasingly relying on processed foods, takeaways, and convenience meals. Busy lifestyles leave little time for cooking, and many forget the basics: eat less, move more. Instead, they often turn to extreme diets like juice cleanses or fad diets, but these don’t work in the long run. What people really need is to understand how food impacts their health.
Finally, what’s one piece of advice you would give to anyone wanting to improve their liver health, even if they don't have a specific diagnosis like NAFLD?
One key piece of advice I’d give is to add more colour to your diet by including Mediterranean-inspired meals, such as roasted vegetables, and incorporating lean meats. It’s important to reduce sugary foods and focus on whole, nutrient-dense foods. Doing this can have a huge positive impact on your health. Additionally, small changes like taking a 30-minute walk during your lunch break can make a difference. You don’t need to go to the gym to stay active; simply walking outside is excellent for your mental and cardiovascular health. Sadly, many young people in their 20s and 30s are now being affected by fatty liver disease. The silent nature of the disease means it can progress unnoticed. In fact, one in five people in the UK have this condition but don’t even know it.