74% Indians With Normal Reports May Have Fatty Liver: Apollo Study

India may be facing a silent liver health crisis, with the latest “Health of the Nation” report by Apollo Hospitals revealing that nearly 74% of individuals with “normal” health check results show signs of fatty liver disease, now termed Metabolic Associated Steatotic Liver Disease. This challenges the assumption that normal lab reports indicate good health. Experts note a steady rise in cases driven by urbanisation, sedentary lifestyles, obesity, and high-calorie diets. The condition is increasingly seen as part of a broader metabolic dysfunction, closely linked to diabetes, hypertension, and abnormal cholesterol levels, particularly among urban populations.

A key concern is that MASLD often develops silently without affecting routine test parameters, creating a false sense of reassurance. If left unmanaged, it can progress to serious conditions such as cirrhosis and liver cancer, reports NDTV.

However, early-stage disease is largely reversible through consistent lifestyle changes, including healthier diets, increased physical activity, and reduced sedentary habits. The findings highlight the urgent need for greater awareness, as relying solely on “normal” reports may delay timely intervention and worsen long-term health outcomes.