(Health): Fatty Liver Disease: A Hidden Danger to Your Brain?

A study conducted by the Roger Williams Institute of Hepatology, affiliated with King’s College London and the University of Lausanne, found a connection between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and brain dysfunction. The accumulation of fat in the liver reduces oxygen flow to the brain and causes inflammation, both of which have been linked to the development of severe brain diseases.

Around 25% of the general population and over 80% of severely obese individuals are affected by NAFLD. While prior studies have shown the harm that an unhealthy diet and obesity can inflict on brain function, this study is believed to be the first to clearly associate NAFLD with brain decline and identify a potential therapeutic target.

The research, conducted in collaboration with Inserm (the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research) and the University of Poitiers in France, involved feeding two different diets to mice. Half of the mice consumed a diet with no more than 10% fat in their calorie intake, while the other half’s calorie intake contained 55% fat; intended to resemble a diet of processed foods and sugary drinks.

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