Harvard Doctor Explains Fatty Liver Disease Beyond Alcohol

Boston: While fatty liver disease is commonly associated with heavy drinking, Harvard professor Dr. Sanjep Chopra stresses that a growing number of cases worldwide have nothing to do with alcohol. Instead, lifestyle and dietary factors are driving a silent epidemic of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

“People often assume fatty liver means alcohol abuse. That’s not always true,” Dr. Chopra explained in a recent conversation. “There’s a large population developing fatty liver without ever touching a drop of alcohol. The real culprit in many cases is diet — particularly excess sugar, processed foods, and obesity.”

NAFLD occurs when too much fat builds up in liver cells, impairing their function. It is now one of the most common liver disorders globally, with links to diabetes, hig