Why the Liver?

Did you know that the number 1 cause of death (cardiovascular disease)¹ in the U.S. can be traced back to fatty liver disease and liver dysfunction? ² ³

Do you know that by 2040, over half the adult population is forecasted to have fatty liver disease? ⁴

A fatty, inflamed liver isn’t just a local problem – it’s both a barometer and an amplifier of the key chronic diseases that kill most people worldwide. The liver is the body’s true powerhouse, it performs over 500 functions by itself. ⁵

Fatty Liver Disease has become the most prevalent liver disease in human history. It affects almost 2 billion people globally1. Even for an active individual, it can steal 6 to 10 years of life expectancy (2,3). Yet it is largely unknown to the general population, policymakers and even the global public health community. Led by the conviction that education is more effective than medication, Biocol is launching a series of monthly masterclasses fully dedicated to the most central organ in the modern age, the Liver.
This common oversight can lead to a worsening of symptoms following a detox regime, as the body can become overloaded with toxins that are not being efficiently eliminated.

LIVER DYSFUNCTION & DISEASE

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects up to 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. and is considered a key contributor to metabolic dysfunction, which underlies many of the leading causes of death. Considering the ongoing obesity epidemic beginning in childhood, the rise in diabetes, and other factors, the prevalence of NAFLD along with the proportion of those with advanced liver disease is projected to continue to increase. NAFLD is the most common liver disease worldwide, and is now the second leading indication for liver transplantation in the United States, narrowly behind only alcohol-related liver disease. ²

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a spectrum of liver diseases ranging from simple steatosis to cirrhosis requiring a liver transplant. Its progression is strongly associated with health conditions such as obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and high triglycerides. NAFLD develops when excess fat accumulates in the liver, often as a result of factors like overweight, elevated blood sugar, dyslipidemia, or high blood pressure. When fat accumulation is accompanied by liver inflammation, the risk of disease progression increases significantly. ²

Do you know that by 2040, over half the adult population is forecasted to have fatty liver disease?

Risk factors associated with the onset and progression of NAFLD, according to the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA)² :

Medical Conditions	Nutrition & Behavior
Obesity; Metabolic syndrome; Insulin resistance; Type 2 DM; Dyslipidemia; Hypertension; PCOS; Thyroid disease;	Alcohol; Ultra processed foods; Fructose; Sedentarism Choline deficiency

All these conditions increase the likelihood of NAFLD, creating an environment where the disease is more likely to develop.

Liver dysfunction stands at the crossroads of the four chronic diseases linked to most deaths worldwide —cardiovascular disease, cancer, neurodegeneration (e.g. Alzheimer’s), and metabolic disease, such as type 2 diabetes: ⁵

Cardiovascular disease & Type 2 DM
When calorie intake—especially from sugary sources—exceeds what the liver can handle, it starts storing energy in the form of fat, loses insulin sensitivity, and pumps extra glucose and fatty acids into the bloodstream. Over time, this process greatly increases the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. ⁵ ³

Cancer Risk
Epidemiological studies reveal that people with NAFLD face increased rates of colorectal and other cancers—most likely because high insulin levels encourage rapid cell growth and chronic inflammation fuels tumor-promoting signals. ⁵

Neurodegeneration risk
Insulin resistance and chronic inflammation weaken the blood–brain barrier and disrupt insulin signaling in neurons, which promotes the development of Alzheimer’s disease. ⁵

Why the liver? Because it plays a central role in every bodily system and overall health, and fatty liver both signals and fuels metabolic dysfunction throughout the body.

The liver is so vital because of its unique ability to regenerate after injury; in fact, it is the only organ that can do so. ⁷