Liver donor study reveals half of young Indians may have fatty liver
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A study conducted by Dr Arvinder Singh Soin, chairman and chief surgeon at Medanta Liver Institute, Gurugram, found that nearly half of potential liver donors aged 20 to 40 had fatty liver disease. The finding emerged while evaluating donors for liver transplant patients, most of whom relied on their children or younger relatives as donors. According to Dr Soin, many of these young individuals appeared healthy but were affected by factors such as sedentary lifestyles, poor dietary habits, stress, obesity and inadequate exercise.
The findings prompted the team to investigate whether fatty liver caused primarily by lifestyle factors could be reversed quickly enough to make these individuals eligible donors. Dr Soin said participants were given low doses of semaglutide or tirzepatide alongside intensive lifestyle modifications. The follow-up study reportedly showed that the combination accelerated weight loss within two weeks and helped reverse fatty liver, reinforcing the view that lifestyle changes remain the key factor in restoring liver health, while weight-loss drugs act as accelerators, Indian Express reported.
Dr Soin also challenged the common belief that fatty liver affects only overweight individuals. He noted that even people with a body mass index below 24 could face a significant risk of developing the condition, especially when unhealthy lifestyle habits are present. Hidden metabolic issues such as insulin resistance, low muscle mass and excess abdominal fat were cited as contributing factors.
He further argued that excessive sugar consumption, particularly fructose found in soft drinks, packaged juices and ultra-processed foods, plays a major role in fatty liver disease. According to him, fructose is largely processed in the liver, where it can be converted into fat and gradually contribute to the condition.
The liver specialist highlighted chronic stress and inadequate sleep as additional risk factors. He said people who sleep less than seven hours a night may be several times more likely to develop fatty liver because prolonged stress responses increase insulin resistance.
Dr Soin stressed that abdominal fat and waist measurements are often better indicators of metabolic risk than body weight alone. He warned that fatty liver is usually symptomless in its early stages but can eventually lead to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, fibrosis, cirrhosis, liver failure and even liver cancer.
Given the silent progression of the disease, he advocated routine screening for adults over 30, including body composition assessments, blood tests and imaging studies. He noted that fatty liver remains one of the few chronic conditions that can often be reversed if detected early.
To protect liver health, Dr Soin recommended avoiding alcohol and smoking, reducing sugar intake, limiting ultra-processed foods, consuming protein-rich meals, exercising regularly, maintaining healthy sleep patterns and drinking one or two cups of black coffee daily. He also emphasised the importance of strength training from early adulthood as a long-term strategy for preserving liver health.