Fatty liver disease is a critical health problem among Iranians, threatening 70% of the population, and resulting in 2.5-3 % of hepatitis cases.
Dr. Reza Malekzadeh, a specialist in liver diseases who was addressing the 6th International Tehran Hepatitis Conference, noted that with obesity on the rise, “fatty liver disease is becoming a new epidemic in Iran, with the prevalence rate of 30%,” ISNA reports.
The disease is common among those with heavy weight and sedentary lifestyles. A reversible condition, when the process of fat metabolism is disrupted, triglyceride fat accumulates in liver cells in excessive amounts. Two known causes of fatty liver disease are excessive consumption of alcohol and a prolonged diet containing foods with a high proportion of calories coming from lipids. For people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, a regimen with gradual weight loss and physical exercise are recommended.
Malekzadeh commended the prevention and treatment of Hepatitis B and C in Iran. “Hepatitis medication is produced domestically at reasonable costs and is on par with global standards.”
