What is NAFLD?
NAFLD is fat accumulation in the liver not caused by alcohol. It is now called MASLD. Early stages are reversible with weight loss, insulin sensitization, and visceral fat reduction.
Full answer
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) — recently renamed metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) — is fat accumulation in hepatocytes not caused by alcohol. It is the most common liver disease in the US, affecting roughly one in three adults. Early NAFLD (simple steatosis) is asymptomatic and reversible; advanced NAFLD progresses to NASH, fibrosis, and cirrhosis. Workup includes ALT, AST, GGT, lipid panel, fasting insulin, A1C, and ferritin, with imaging or FibroScan when indicated. Treatment centers on visceral fat reduction, insulin sensitization, alcohol moderation, and (when appropriate) GLP-1 therapy.
Educational. Not a substitute for individualized provider review.
- ALT — Primary source · oMeds
- Reviewed by Dr. Laura Purdy, MD, MBA · Clinical Director, oMeds · Last reviewed 2026-05-29