MASLD or NAFLD: what's in a name?
In 2023, liver societies renamed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, or MASLD.2 It's the same condition many people know simply as fatty liver: extra fat stored in the liver. The new name reflects that it comes with at least one metabolic risk factor, such as extra weight around the waist, high blood sugar or type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or high triglycerides.2
What the guidelines say
The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) publishes practice guidance for doctors who treat fatty liver disease. Here is a short summary of its advice on food and weight. Your own care team's advice always comes first.
Losing some weight helps the liver
According to AASLD's 2023 guidance, losing 5% or more of your body weight can reduce liver fat, and losing 10% or more is linked to improvement in liver scarring (fibrosis).1 For someone who weighs 90 kg (198 lb), 5% is about 4.5 kg (10 lb).
What to eat less of, and more of
The guidance recommends cutting back on sugar-sweetened drinks and ultra-processed foods, and favors a Mediterranean-style way of eating: plenty of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, legumes and unsaturated fats such as olive oil, with less saturated fat.1
Alcohol adds to liver damage, so ask your doctor how much, if any, is safe for you.
How LiverPal helps
- Targets for fatty liver. Added sugar 25 g or less, saturated fat 15 g or less, and a calorie goal with a 500-calorie daily deficit for steady weight loss. Change any of them to match your doctor's advice.
- Every food graded. Foods high in added sugar, saturated fat or sodium are graded Use Caution, so you can see what to cut back on.
- Simple swaps. Easy replacements, like sparkling water instead of soda, with a short note on why each one helps.
- Liver-friendly recipes. Meals with calories, protein and sodium listed, so they're easy to log.
- Weekly trends. See whether your added sugar and saturated fat are going down compared with last week.
- Daily goals and streaks. A short daily checklist and logging streaks help you keep going.
- Doctor reports. With Premium, export a PDF of your averages and food log for your next appointment.
LiverPal is not medical advice. Talk with your doctor or a registered dietitian before starting a weight-loss plan, especially if you have diabetes or take medication that affects blood sugar.
Questions about fatty liver and LiverPal
Is LiverPal only for weight loss?
No. The fatty liver plan includes a calorie goal for gradual weight loss, but LiverPal also tracks the quality of what you eat, including added sugar, saturated fat and fiber. If weight loss isn't right for you, change your calorie target or choose a different plan.
Can I use LiverPal if I'm not sure I have fatty liver?
Yes. The general liver health plan is for anyone who wants to eat with their liver in mind. Only a doctor can diagnose fatty liver disease, usually with blood tests and imaging.
Is MASLD the same as NAFLD?
MASLD (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease) is the name that replaced NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) in 2023. LiverPal's fatty liver plan is designed for it under either name.
References
- Rinella ME, Neuschwander-Tetri BA, Siddiqui MS, et al. AASLD Practice Guidance on the clinical assessment and management of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Hepatology. 2023;77(5):1797–1835. doi:10.1097/HEP.0000000000000323
- Rinella ME, Lazarus JV, Ratziu V, et al. A multisociety Delphi consensus statement on new fatty liver disease nomenclature. Hepatology. 2023;78(6):1966–1986. doi:10.1097/HEP.0000000000000520
