08.04.2026
By Professor Aftab Ala – Consultant Hepatologist and Gastroenterologist, MB BS, MD, PhD, FRCP
Even modest weight loss, around 5–10% of your body weight, can reduce liver fat and sometimes reverse early scarring. Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most important steps to protecting your liver in the long-term.
Carrying extra weight doesn’t just affect your heart or blood sugar – your liver feels it too. Fat can build up in the liver unnoticed, leading to fatty liver disease or metabolic dysfunction–associated liver disease (MASLD), which can silently progress to scarring if left unchecked. MASLD is closely linked with type 2 diabetes, heart disease, circulation problems and mellitus.
Some patients may be aware of weight loss medicines, including newer injectable treatments. According to the British Liver Trust, these may be considered for people who struggle to lose weight through lifestyle changes alone.
These treatments can support appetite control and metabolism, but they should always be supervised by a clinician, especially for patients with liver concerns. They are prescription-only, evidence-based options, and their suitability must be assessed individually (britishlivertrust.org.uk).
Weight loss medicines are one part of a wider approach that includes diet, physical activity, and monitoring liver health.
Whether you are losing weight through lifestyle changes, medicines, or both, knowing your liver’s condition is crucial. That’s where FibroScan® at LycaHealth Orpington comes in — the only private, certified NICE- and FDA-approved FibroScan® machine in Kent, recognised by all major insurers.
FibroScan® is painless and quick and can detect:
Weight management and liver health are deeply connected. Some patients may benefit from medically supervised weight loss medicines; others may focus on diet and exercise. Research shows these medicines and lifestyle measures can reduce liver fat and, in some cases, reverse MASLD and liver scarring.
What matters most is early detection, monitoring, and personalised advice from specialists.
Knowing your liver’s condition is the first step toward safer, healthier weight management. A FibroScan® at LycaHealth Orpington gives you accurate, evidence-based insight, helping you make informed decisions and protect your liver for the long term.
A simple scan today can help you protect your liver and support healthier choices for years to come.
By Professor Aftab Ala – Consultant Hepatologist and Gastroenterologist, MB BS, MD, PhD, FRCP
Book your scan with Professor Aftab here (self-referrals welcome): Book Now
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