“The liver is one of the few organs capable of regeneration, but it cannot heal itself without support. It is time to stop taking it for granted and, through conscious, daily choices, try to reverse the tide of lifestyle-related liver disease and protect not just individual health but the well-being of our entire nation.”

Liver disease has been spreading silently, like an epidemic, across India, claiming lives and putting a severe strain on the healthcare system. According to experts, liver disease, which was once mostly associated with excessive alcohol consumption, is now even affecting a growing number of young adults and non-drinkers alike, signalling a disturbing shift in the risk factors.

India records a staggering 268,580 liver disease deaths annually, accounting for over 18 per cent of all liver-related deaths worldwide, making it the highest contributor globally. “While alcohol-induced cirrhosis still plays a role, the real game-changer is the rise of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Recently reclassified as Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), this condition reflects a deeper connection to metabolic disorders, particularly those rooted in our modern lifestyle,” Dr Manoj Shrivastav, Programme Director and Consultant, liver transplant and hepatobiliary surgeon, Ruby Hall Clinic, told Times Now.