NASH results from excessive fat buildup in the liver which surpasses its capacity for secretion or metabolism, leading to liver damage and inflammation. This excess fat accumulation, also known as steatosis, is caused by an imbalance between energy intake and expenditure, with more energy consumed than expended.[1] People with obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes are at the highest risk of developing NAFLD, which can then progress to NASH.[2]
What causes NASH?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is caused by excessive fat buildup in the liver due to an imbalance between energy intake and expenditure and leads to liver damage and inflammation. People with obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes are at the highest risk of developing this condition.