Actor Hrithik Roshan’s sister Sunaina Roshan has always been open about her health struggles, from battling a rare form of cancer to embracing a disciplined lifestyle.
In her latest social media post, she shared her experience of reversing Grade 3 fatty liver, a condition where excess fat accumulates in the liver, often due to obesity or poor dietary habits. She highlighted the importance of early intervention, saying, “Last year I managed to reverse my Grade 3 fatty liver to a Grade 1. Until recently, I managed to eliminate it completely with just sheer willpower and determination.” She said people must act in time, emphasising that reversal was possible through two effective steps — “dietary changes along with my regular exercises.”
Sunaina also stressed that fatty liver is “the leading cause of liver cirrhosis,” warning that once the condition progresses to cirrhosis, it becomes “irreversible.”
With lifestyle diseases on the rise, her journey raises essential questions about prevention, treatment, and what medical interventions (beyond lifestyle changes) can help manage the condition.
Can diet and exercise reverse fatty liver disease?
Dietary changes and regular exercise are crucial in managing fatty liver disease, particularly in its early to moderate stages. “For many patients, adopting a balanced diet—rich in whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables while minimising refined sugars, saturated fats, and alcohol — coupled with consistent physical activity, can significantly reduce liver fat accumulation and inflammation,” explains Dr Pranav Honnavara Srinivasan, consultant surgical gastroenterologist at Fortis Hospitals. These interventions often improve liver enzyme levels and can even reverse early-stage fatty liver.
However, lifestyle changes alone may not be enough in advanced cases, such as grade 3 fatty liver, where significant fat accumulation and early fibrosis are present. “In such cases, while lifestyle changes remain essential to prevent further progression, they may need to be supplemented by medical interventions and close monitoring to manage complications and slow down the progression toward cirrhosis,” he adds.
Medical interventions for advanced fatty liver disease
When fatty liver disease reaches an advanced stage, additional medical interventions may be required alongside lifestyle modifications. “Physicians may prescribe medications aimed at reducing liver inflammation, improving insulin sensitivity, or targeting the fibrotic process,” says Dr Srinivasan. Although no single drug is currently approved specifically for fatty liver disease, some agents — such as insulin sensitisers and antioxidants — are used off-label with varying success.
“For patients with significant fibrosis or early cirrhosis, regular monitoring through imaging and possibly liver biopsies becomes essential to assess disease progression and manage complications,” he explains. In severe cases where liver function is critically impaired, more intensive interventions, including liver transplantation, may be necessary. “Ultimately, early detection and intervention remain the most effective strategies to prevent progression to advanced liver disease,” Dr Srinivasan emphasises.
Story continues below this ad
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.