Nearly 20 million Filipinos today are at risk of silent liver disease, with liver deterioration showing up in Filipinos as young as their 30s.

While often mistaken as a disease affecting only heavy drinkers, metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is increasingly driven by modern Filipino lifestyles: poor diets, lack of exercise, stress, obesity, and diabetes.

MAFLD is one of the fastest-growing, yet least recognized, health threats in the Philippines.

Today, nine out of 10 obese individuals and seven out of 10 diabetics in the country are vulnerable to liver deterioration. Alarmingly, the average age of fatty liver sufferers has dropped to just 38 years old.

Globally, fatty liver disease has reached epidemic proportions. As of 2023, it affects 30 percent of adults worldwide, and this percentage is expected to rise above 50 percent by 2040.

In the Philippines, these global trends are mirrored by local health burdens, where lack of awareness and late diagnosis amplify the risks. Yet, the silver lining remains: Eight out of 10 cases are reversible when caught in time, according to one study.

“The liver performs over 500 essential functions, yet it’s one of the most overlooked organs, often dismissed as only a concern for heavy drinkers," Dr. Jose D. Sollano, professor in the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery specializing in Gastroenterology at the University of Santo Tomas, explained.

"MAFLD is one of the fastest-growing threats to public health in the Philippines. What makes it more dangerous is its silence. We are now seeing an alarming number of Filipinos in their 30s with early signs of liver damage, often without realizing it," Sollano explained.

He noted that by the time symptoms show, "the liver may already be damaged."
However, there is hope; eight out of 10 liver issues can be reversed if caught early.

"It's time we start paying attention. Prioritizing liver health through early detection and lifestyle changes can make all the difference," Sollano continued.