#Liverdisease

A new wave of research has sounded the alarm on a widespread but often overlooked health threat: metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a “silent disease” that afflicts about 16 million Americans—most of whom don’t know it. Recent studies published in major medical journals, including The Lancet and findings summarized by the Daily Mail, reveal that a staggering 80% of those living with this deadly form of fatty liver disease remain undiagnosed, raising urgent concerns for public health systems, including here in Thailand (source, Wikipedia, Asia-Pacific Trends PDF).

A groundbreaking clinical trial has revealed that semaglutide, a drug already in use for managing diabetes and obesity, is poised to transform treatment for a widespread and potentially deadly liver condition known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). This discovery is seen as a potential game-changer in the medical field, offering hope to millions of patients in Thailand and worldwide who currently face limited therapeutic options for this silent, progressive disease.

NASH is a severe type of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) characterized by liver inflammation, fat buildup, and tissue damage not caused by alcohol. If untreated, NASH can progress to cirrhosis, liver cancer, and even lead to liver failure requiring transplantation. In Thailand, the prevalence of NAFLD, which often precedes NASH, is climbing in parallel with rising rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes, mirroring a global pattern seen in recent years (biomedcentral.com, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). The latest study, as reported by ScienceAlert, demonstrates that semaglutide can lead to marked improvements in liver health and may soon provide a much-needed treatment option for millions.

A groundbreaking new study from University of Missouri-Columbia reveals that exercise can safeguard memory and cognitive performance—even when the brain is deprived of one of its essential fuel sources, ketones. This insight not only reinforces the crucial role of physical activity in brain health, especially amid rising rates of Alzheimer’s and dementia, but also provides hope for individuals with liver conditions that compromise energy production for cognitive functions. As Thailand faces its own growing elderly population and associated dementia risks, these findings are especially timely and relevant.