Nonalcoholic “fatty” liver disease has now become the most common liver disease in the world according to Professor Alexander Nersesov, head of the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Kazakhstan’s National Research Institute of Cardiology and Internal Medicine.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease refers to a wide range of liver conditions that are characterized by the buildup of fat in liver cells, much like the name “fatty” liver would suggest. It is believed to affect 10-15% of the population and rates may be particularly high in countries where obesity rates are high and where there is a notably high intake of carbohydrate-only foods, such as bread, cereal, rice and pasta that break down more quickly into glucose.

The American Liver Association claims that as many as one in five Americans may suffer from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease where the condition is known to cause non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in about 20 to 30% of people. This can lead to inflammation and scarring in an organ that is critical for many body functions.

However, there is hope for people who are suffering from the condition. According to Dr. Jacob Haus of the Cleveland Clinic, "Exercise appears to affect the cumulative metabolic risk factors for the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. We like to think of exercise as medicine".