New Study Links Arsenic Exposure to Higher Risk of Fatty Liver Disease

Fatty liver disease (FLD) develops when fat builds up in liver cells, straining an organ vital for energy, metabolism, and detoxification. It is now the leading chronic liver disease worldwide and affects four in 10 U.S. adults A new study in the Journal of Translational Gastroenterology found higher urinary arsenic levels were strongly associated with a greater risk of FLD in the U.S. population Arsenic disrupts liver health by driving oxidative stress, impairing mitochondria, activating fat-storing pathways, and interfering with glucose regulation, all of which accelerate fat buildup and insulin resistance Rice and drinking water are the main everyday sources of arsenic exposure, with contamination often exceeding health-based safety limits and posing risks even at "low" levels Reducing seed oils and alcohol, improving choline intake, and avoiding arsenic-contaminated foods and beverages are key steps to protect your liver and lower your toxic burden