You work hard and play hard. Hispanic culture is all about a strong work ethic and fun family gatherings. And then one day, bidi bidi bom bom — your liver speaks up. Symptoms of MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis) and MASLD (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease), two nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases, sneak up on you. By the time fatigue, jaundice, or abdominal pain manifest themselves, the damage is done and action must be taken.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease affects about 25% of the general population. One study published by the University of Miami’s UHealth Collective found that close to 28% of Hispanic Americans had fatty liver disease, though it varied according to nationality. It was highest among Mexican Americans (42.8 %), who were two times more likely to have severe cases.
The good news? You can prevent these conditions in some cases where genetics don't play a role, and reverse or improve them once you’re diagnosed. The bad news is that almost all medications that treat fatty liver disease are in trial stages. The path to recovery is mostly lifestyle-driven by healthy weight loss through diet. You may also consider medications or surgery to treat obesity and any heart health risk factors. However, some Hispanic communities are more likely to have a genetic marker that presents challenges based on your ancestry.
MASH and MASLD Are Not Related to Alcohol Consumption
Urban legend says that all fatty liver conditions are tied to alcohol consumption. People with fatty liver disease have faced social stigma since many believe the only reason someone has the condition is because of lifestyle choices. This fear of judgment can explain, in part, why nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases such as MASH and MASLD can go undiagnosed for long periods and manifest when liver damage is severe.
According to a report in the journal Gastroenterology, cases of MASLD are projected to grow 63% by 2030. It’s the primary reason for liver transplants in the United States since 2020, and this trend is expected to continue through 2025.
What Role Do Your Genes Play in MASH and MASLD?
Hispanic people are more likely to develop MASH and MASLD because of genetics. PNPLA3, a gene that affects fat digestion, makes the condition harder to treat. But you can take control of your liver's health through lifestyle changes and treatment.
“A factor that’s unique to Hispanic patients is a genetic component. PNPLA3 is a dysfunctional liver enzyme that cannot digest fat and prevents other enzymes from doing so. It’s found more often in those of Hispanic origin,” says S. David Goldberg, MD, a hepatologist at the University of Miami who specializes in the care of those with chronic liver disease, including people waitlisted for a liver transplant.
Goldberg explained how this genetic component is harder to treat since those who have it aren’t necessarily overweight and don’t always have diabetes. However, MASH in Hispanic people tends to be a combination of three factors in most cases. “I don’t think it’s just diet, versus environment, versus genetic, but rather a combination of the three,” he says.
Portion Control, More Realistic Than Unfamiliar Diets
Wait a minute. Hispanic dishes are mostly prepared with unprocessed foods. What should you eat then?
“I recommend portion control. I can’t tell someone that’s Cuban not to eat rice and beans — that’s not realistic. But portion control to prevent weight gain is somewhat successful in practice,” says Goldberg.
Friendly vs. Unfriendly Foods for Your Liver
According to the American Liver Foundation, there are some grocery items to consider adding and avoiding to your diet if you want a healthy liver or if you have been diagnosed with MASH or MASLD.
Foods that are good for your liver include:
- Fruits and vegetables and foods with fiber
- Legumes
- Olive oil, sunflower oil, and canola oil, as they need less bile to break down fats
- Fish and meat, all in balance
- Grains
- Lots of water
Foods that you should avoid with MASH or MASLD include:
- Fatty foods
- Starchy foods
- Iron supplements
- Raw or undercooked shellfish such as oysters and clams
- Sugar
- Salt
- Alcohol
Miracle Remedies May Not Work
Word of mouth about natural or alternative options is powerful among Hispanic people, but when your liver is on the line, you should rely on medical experts.
“I was driving to work a couple of days ago and came across this commercial advertising a liver supplement with turmeric and artichokes. I try to educate my patients that these advertisements are not proven scientifically and sometimes patients are wasting their money. Additionally, these products are not without risk and there are potential side effects,” says Goldberg.
He added that these supplements are expensive, don’t actually flush the liver, and prey on people who hope it’ll make things better, which can delay proper effective treatments.
Community Is Key for Exercise and Moral Support
Most Hispanic people are culturally drawn to socializing in big groups. If you or someone in your life has nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, joining a local dance class, a run club, or any community driven active group will help with weight loss management, among many other benefits.
You can also find a support circle at MyMashTeam.com. It’s a free online community where people with MASH share their thoughts, tips, progress, and most importantly, support for each other’s journeys.
You can reverse this. Sí se puede -- yes, you can.
Recap
MASH AND MASLD are serious nonalcoholic liver diseases that affect Hispanic people in larger numbers. They require attention right away. Thankfully, the conditions can be prevented and may be reversed by:
- Portion control (this is key!)
- Dancing, walking, or whatever keeps you moving
- Baking empanadas rather than frying them
- Managing your weight by consuming more unprocessed foods
- Avoiding sugar, salt, fatty foods, and alcohol
- Checking your sugar levels to lower diabetes numbers
- Trusting your hepatologist and following their lead
Show Sources
Photo Credit: iStock/Getty Images
SOURCES:
University of Miami: “Which Liver Disease Affects the Liver Disproportionally?”
Ana Veciana-Suarez, contributor to the University of Miami Health System.
Gastroenterology: “Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Is the Second Leading Etiology of Liver Disease Among Adults Awaiting Liver Transplantation in the United States.”
Robert J. Wong, MD, MS, FACG, clinical associate professor of medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California.
Maria Aguilar, MD, gastroenterologist, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Ramsey Cheung, MD, professor of gastroenterology and hepatology, Stanford University, Stanford, California.
David S. Goldberg, MD, MSCE, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida.
American Liver Foundation: “Liver Disease Diets.”
MyMashTeam.com.
