High-Salt Diet Linked to Severe Fatty Liver Disease in Lean Individuals, Study Finds

A high-salt diet may contribute to the development of a severe form of fatty liver disease, even in individuals who are not overweight, according to a recent study.

Researchers indicate that this finding suggests fatty liver disease might develop through different biological mechanisms in obese individuals compared to those who maintain a healthy weight.

The study found that a diet high in salt resulted in less fat accumulation in the liver but led to significant inflammation and scarring. These findings could potentially explain why treatments developed for obesity-associated fatty liver disease may be less effective in leaner patients and could pave the way for more tailored therapeutic approaches.

Scientists noted that some lean individuals with fatty liver disease may have relatively little fat in their liver but still face a high risk of serious complications.

To explore this further, scientists from Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore and University College London developed a novel mouse model for lean fatty liver disease. They fed mice a diet known to induce fatty liver disease, supplemented with high levels of salt.

The research revealed that excess dietary salt triggered liver inflammation and scarring in non-obese mice. This suggests that high salt intake could play a role in the development of fatty liver disease in individuals who are not overweight.

Dr. Zhou Jin, from Duke-NUS Medical School, stated, "Our findings suggest that lean fatty liver disease is not simply the same disease occurring in a thinner person." He added, "While obesity-associated fatty liver disease is closely linked to excess fat accumulation, our model shows that high dietary salt can alter liver metabolism and activate inflammatory pathways even without obesity."

In the United Kingdom, approximately one-third of adults are affected by fatty liver disease, which is often associated with obesity, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes. Many individuals with the condition do not exhibit symptoms.

The disease can progress to inflammation, scarring, and in severe cases, liver failure.

High salt intake is known to increase blood pressure, raising the risk of heart attacks and strokes. The National Health Service (NHS) in the UK advises adults to consume no more than a level teaspoon of salt per day.