It is an unrecognized cause of liver-related health problems among the general public. On the occasion of the World Day against “fatty liver disease”, Laurent Castera, hepatologist at Beaujon Hospital, explains to The cross that “in France, it is estimated that 10 million French people have fatty liver, that is to say that they present on ultrasound with steatosis. This is an accumulation of fat in this vital organ.
It can then trigger “fatty liver disease” which is “defined by inflammation and the risk of developing fibrosis, even cirrhosis”, specifies the scientist. In France, a million people suffer from this advanced form of foie gras and more often without knowing it because screening is still rare.
Beware of junk food
While cirrhosis is most often associated with excessive alcohol consumption, “in the United States, junk food is becoming the leading cause of cirrhosis”, warns Laurent Castera again. Several factors accentuate the risks: the age of the person, especially if he is over 40, type 2 diabetes, overweight, high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. “If you combine all these risks, the frequency of the disease rises to 90%, if you have none, it drops to 5%”, summarizes the hepatologist who then insists on the importance of screening.