Dr. S K Sarin, Director, and Chancellor, of the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), Delhi, who was also present at the event and was part of the team of contributors that prepared the two documents, said in India, 30-40 per cent of liver cancer is due to fatty liver.
Officials said that considering the recent evidence-based interventions in the field of NAFLD, there was a dire need to revise the guidelines with updated information for prevention, control, and management to equip medical care providers and help in the prevention and control of NAFLD.
As the prevalence is increasing in developing countries due to changing dietary patterns and sedentary lifestyles, it is essential to identify individuals at high risk for NAFLD, which is crucial for early intervention and prevention, the guidelines said.
The revised guidelines said that among the risk factors are obesity (60 to 90 per cent), metabolic syndromes, which include abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and abnormal blood lipid levels (53 per cent), insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes (40% to 80%), hypertension, sedentary lifestyle; and high-calorie diets, mainly those consuming high in unhealthy fats and added sugars.
Dr Sarin said that diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins are recommended for prevention.
Regular physical activity, including at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week and strength training twice a week, is essential.
Additionally, one must minimise sedentary time and strictly avoid alcohol to prevent further liver damage.
The guidelines said these modifications help manage NAFLD and avoid disease progression, supporting overall health and well-being.
Early screening and diagnosis of NAFLD are crucial for timely intervention and preventing disease progression, it added.
Currently, there is no specific medication approved for the treatment of NAFLD. Pharmacological interventions for NAFLD management are still under development, and no particular drug has been approved as a standard treatment.
The guideline also advocates for a multidisciplinary approach, integrating the efforts of healthcare providers from various disciplines to offer holistic care to individuals affected by NAFLD.
