Because of the high prevalence of obesity in the UK, experts are cautioning against a wave of diabetes and liver disease.
People with type 2 diabetes and obesity are more likely to have liver disease, and according to the British Liver Trust (BLT), the incidence of these conditions is “increasing,” which may cause a “tsunami” of liver disease.
According to the NHS, the term “non-alcoholic fatty liver disease” (NAFLD) refers to a broad spectrum of disorders “caused by a build-up of fat in the liver,” and it is “usually seen in people who are overweight or obese.”
Another name for NAFLD is MASLD, or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.
According to BLT data, NAFLD affects about two thirds of those with type 2 diabetes.
According to the NHS, “it is possible to stop NAFLD getting worse and reduce the amount of fat in your liver.” NAFLD is not dangerous at first.
Unchecked, however, can lead to “serious liver damage” and cirrhosis, per the health service. Early-stage NAFLD symptoms typically don’t appear
The Sun quoted BLT spokesperson Vanessa Hebditch as saying: “There needs to be more awareness of the connection between diabetes and liver disease.”
“Type 2 diabetes is known to raise the risk of many health problems, such as kidney and cardiovascular disease, but it can also significantly increase your risk of fatty liver disease.”
In a study published in May, the charity Diabetes UK urged political parties to “commit to tackling the alarming rise in cases of type 2 diabetes among people aged under 40 years.”
According to data from the charity, the number of type 2 diabetes diagnoses increased by 40% between 2016–17 and 2022–2023.
In addition, kids in impoverished communities are five times more likely than kids in less deprived areas to develop type 2 diabetes, putting them at higher risk.
“Our new figures show that as of 2022–2023 there are nearly 4.4 million people in the UK who live with a diagnosis of diabetes,” the charity stated in its study.
