ESSENTIALE, the #1 liver care brand from Opella, is calling attention to a health crisis silently gripping the Philippines. Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) is on the rise, yet it remains one of the least understood and most ignored threats to Filipino well-being.
Nearly 20 million Filipinos are at risk of MAFLD — a condition commonly misunderstood as being alcohol-related, but is, in fact, driven by poor diets, lack of exercise, chronic stress, and underlying conditions like obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. Today, 9 out of 10 obese individuals and 7 out of 10 diabetics in the country are vulnerable to liver deterioration. Alarmingly, the average age of fatty liver sufferers has dropped to just 38 years old.
Globally, fatty liver disease has reached epidemic proportions. As of 2023, it impacts 30% of adults worldwide, which is expected to rise above 50% by 2040. Despite this staggering scale, treatment remains significantly underutilized. In the Philippines, these global trends are mirrored by local health burdens, where lack of awareness and late diagnosis amplify the risks. Yet, the silver lining remains: 8 out of 10 cases are reversible when caught in time, according to one study.
“The liver performs over 500 essential functions, yet it’s one of the most overlooked organ, often dismissed as only a concern for heavy drinkers. MAFLD is one of the fastest-growing threats to public health in the Philippines. What makes it more dangerous is how silent it is. We are now seeing an alarming number of Filipinos in their 30s with early signs of liver damage, often without realizing it. By the time symptoms show, the liver may already be damaged. But there is hope. 8 out of 10 liver issues can be reversed if caught early. It’s time we start paying attention. Prioritizing liver health through early detection and lifestyle changes can make all the difference,” warned Dr. Jose D. Sollano Jr., University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery professor specializing in gastroenterology.
To confront this crisis, Essentiale is leading a national awareness campaign to educate and empower Filipinos to take charge of their liver health. Through partnerships with pharmacists, healthcare professionals, and local communities, the brand is rolling out interactive education materials and an online self-assessment tool in English and Tagalog that helps users identify early liver health risks and guides them to seek timely medical advice.
“We need to shift the perception that fatty liver disease only affects heavy drinkers, because it doesn’t. In the Philippines, the way many of us live today, eating on the go, sitting for long hours at work, coping with stress, and often putting health last, makes us more vulnerable to liver problems and other lifestyle diseases. But we’re not powerless. Fatty liver disease is preventable and even reversible. With simple changes to our lifestyle habits and preventive health measures, we can take back control. Don’t wait for symptoms to show, take the self-test today and find out if you’re at risk. Now is the time to prioritize liver health — for all Filipinos and our families.” added J Ann Mirasol, Global Brand Lead, Opella.
This Global Fatty Liver Day, Essentiale challenges every Filipino to stop ignoring their liver. Take the test. Talk to a pharmacist. Act before it’s too late. Please visit https://www.essentiale.com/en-ph/check-your-liver to start your self-test today.
References:
1 Zhang, X., Wu, M., Liu, Z., Yuan, H., Wu, X., Shi, T., Chen, X., & Zhang, T. (2021). Increasing prevalence of NAFLD/NASH among children, adolescents and young adults from 1990 to 2017: a population-based observational study. BMJ Open, 11. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-042843.
2 Le, M. H., Yeo, Y. H., Zou, B., Barnet, S., Henry, L., Cheung, R., & Nguyen, M. H. (2022). Forecasted 2040 global prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease using hierarchical bayesian approach. Clinical and Molecular Hepatology, 28(4), 841-850. doi: 10.3350/cmh.2022.0239. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.3350/cmh.2022.0239.
3 Maev IV, Samsonov AA, Palgova LK, et al Effectiveness of phosphatidylcholine in alleviating steatosis in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and cardiometabolic comorbidities (MANPOWER study)
BMJ Open Gastroenterology 2020;7:e000341. doi: 10.1136/bmjgast-2019-000341 Effectiveness of phosphatidylcholine in alleviating steatosis in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and cardiometabolic comorbidities (MANPOWER study) | BMJ Open Gastroenterology
