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Nash Fact Sheet

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) affects approximately 6 million people in the United States, 600,000 of whom have developed NASH-related cirrhosis of the liver. NASH is typically asymptomatic but is often accompanied by obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol. While there are no FDA-approved drug treatments, lifestyle modifications such as modest weight loss through diet and exercise are the primary interventions to prevent progression of NASH to more severe liver disease. Registered dietitian nutritionists can help motivate patients to make dietary changes and select foods to prevent worsening of their condition.

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74 views

Nash Fact Sheet

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) affects approximately 6 million people in the United States, 600,000 of whom have developed NASH-related cirrhosis of the liver. NASH is typically asymptomatic but is often accompanied by obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol. While there are no FDA-approved drug treatments, lifestyle modifications such as modest weight loss through diet and exercise are the primary interventions to prevent progression of NASH to more severe liver disease. Registered dietitian nutritionists can help motivate patients to make dietary changes and select foods to prevent worsening of their condition.

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FACT

SHEET
Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis January 26, 2018

Introduction

In the United States, it is estimated that approximately 6 million people have non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, or
NASH, and 600,000 people have NASH-related cirrhosis. It is believed that NASH and non-alcoholic fatty liver
disease (NAFLD) are the main causes of liver disease in western countries, and addressing these conditions as early
as possible is essential for prevention of disease progression and negatively impacted quality of life.

Symptoms & Comorbidities

NASH is typically asymptomatic, which makes diagnosing this condition more difficult. Common comorbidities
include overweight or obesity, type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular disease.
Histologically it is diagnosed by fat accumulation in the liver exceeding 5%. Left untreated, NASH increases the risk
of cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Intervention

There are no pharmacologic interventions approved by the FDA. Currently, lifestyle modification and management
of comorbidities are the primary treatments of NASH. Lifestyle modification includes weight loss, increasing
exercise frequency, and eating a balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and that limits
alcohol. Modest weight loss of 3-5% may help improve steatosis while additional weight loss may reduce
inflammation associated with steatosis.

Utilizing all members of the healthcare team is crucial in the prevention of progression of liver disease. Registered
dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) are one part of the healthcare team that can assist specifically with motivating dietary
changes in patients and guiding their food choices. RDNs are trained in medical nutrition therapy for weight loss in
addition to other medical conditions, making them a useful took in tailoring patients’ diets to prevent NASH’s
progression to cirrhosis and liver cancer.

References

Kasper, D., Fauci, A., Hauser, S., Longo, D., Jameson, J., & Loscalzo, J. (2015). Harrison’s principles of internal
medicine, 19e. USA2015.

LaBrecque, D. R., Abbas, Z., Anania, F., Ferenci, P., Khan, A. G., Goh, K. L., ... & Ramos, J. F. (2014). World
Gastroenterology Organisation global guidelines: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic
steatohepatitis. Journal of clinical gastroenterology, 48(6), 467-473.



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