Fatty Liver & Metabolic Liver Disease

Understanding Fatty Liver & Metabolic Liver Disease

In this informative episode, Dr. Kari Fabian and Maura Romanshek, PA-C, break down the silent rise of metabolic liver disease, formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. They explain how it’s connected to obesity, diabetes, and high-fructose diets—and why more Americans (including kids!) are being diagnosed earlier.

Listeners will also learn about the FibroScan machine available at Stellis Health, a non-invasive test that helps detect liver stiffness before it leads to irreversible damage.

Key Takeaways

• Fatty liver is often silent, meaning you could have it and not know it.
  

• The FibroScan test at Stellis Health helps detect early risk and prevent disease progression.
  

• Fructose-heavy diets, especially high-fructose corn syrup, are key drivers of liver damage.
  

• Early lifestyle changes and targeted medications can significantly improve or reverse liver disease.
  

You don’t need dramatic weight loss to improve liver health—just consistent, practical steps.

Episode Highlights (Timestamps)

• [00:00:00] – Introduction with Pete Waggoner, Dr. Kari Fabian, and Maura Romanshek, PA-C
  

• [00:01:15] – Dr. Fabian shares her background and passion for diabetes care
  

• [00:02:30] – Maura discusses her transition from family medicine to diabetes and weight management
  

• [00:04:20] – Understanding what metabolic liver disease is and how it differs from alcoholic liver disease
  

• [00:06:10] – What happens to the liver when fat builds up over time
  

• [00:07:45] – Surprising discovery: fatty liver is showing up in children
  

• [00:09:00] – The impact of diet, especially high-fructose corn syrup, on liver health
  

• [00:12:20] – The silent nature of fatty liver—how it often goes undetected without symptoms
  

• [00:14:15] – The importance of screening and using the FIB-4 score
  

• [00:16:00] – Introducing the FibroScan: what it is and how it works
  

• [00:18:45] – Lifestyle changes that help reverse fatty liver disease
  

• [00:21:30] – Fructose in fruit vs. processed foods—what’s safe and what’s harmful
  

• [00:24:20] – The role of coffee and tea in liver health
  

• [00:26:00] – How Stellis providers meet patients where they are in their health journey
  

• [00:28:15] – Available medications and why early detection is key
  

• [00:30:00] – Encouragement for listeners to ask about screening at their next appointment
  

  Resources Mentioned

• Stellis Health Diabetes Care
  

• Dr. Kari Fabian, MD – Internal Medicine & Diabetes Care Dr. Fabian is a board-certified internist and lipidologist with over 25 years of experience. She specializes in diabetes care and complex lipid disorders, practicing at Stellis Health’s Buffalo and Monticello clinics.
  

• Maura Romanshek, PA-C – Diabetes & Weight Management Maura is a board-certified physician associate focusing on diabetes and weight management. She practices at Stellis Health’s Monticello and Buffalo clinics.
  

• Stellis Health Liver Health & FibroScan Services Learn more about Stellis Health’s liver health services and the FibroScan technology used for non-invasive liver assessments.
  

• Book an appointment at Stellis Health
  

• More on Metabolic Liver Disease – CDC
  
  

Memorable Quotes

• "It's estimated that 25 to 30% o