Free Fatty Liver Disease Test Opportunity for Arizona Latinos

By: Michael Hudhall

Special to AZLatinos.com

New studies, including a new study at the USC School of Medicine show that 49% of Latinos have a gene variation that can lead to an accumulation of fat in the liver when they eat sugar.

This condition, which is called Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), is due to a decreased ability to metabolize sugar.  Thirty-five to forty percent of the US population has NAFLD but the figures are even higher with Latinos because NAFLD strikes Latinos disproportionately.

Adding further to the risk, one out of five people with NAFLD have a more serious condition called NASH (Non-Alcoholic SteatoHepatitis). NASH causes an accumulation of scar tissue in the liver – a condition called liver fibrosis. There are four stages of liver fibrosis, and stage four is called liver cirrhosis.

NASH is a silent condition and until recently it could only be detected by liver biopsy, an invasive and painful technique which uses a needle to physically remove liver tissue for inspection. However, the FDA recently approved a new safe, painless, non-invasive machine called Fibroscan (liver elastography) to replace the biopsy and to easily assess liver fibrosis stage.

Our AZ Latino community is fortunate to have ready access to a Fibroscan machine at The LiverLab Fibroscan Clinic.

The LiverLab is partnering with AZ Latinos to sponsor free liver Fibroscans for AZ Latino readers. Our readers are encouraged to participate because NASH is a silent killer and early detection is the key to reversal and recovery.

Participants who accept a free Fibroscan and who demonstrate significant liver fibrosis from NASH may be also be qualified to participate in a free FDA-registered, IRB-approved Phase 2 Human Clinical Trial. This clinical trial is enrolling now and studying a non-drug all-natural Medical Food.

The HepAssure Medical Food is a promising an all-natural, anti-fibrotic formula that consists of 32 vitamins, minerals, lipids and botanical ingredients.  All ingredients in the HepAssure formula are on the FDA’s GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe) list and are associated with regular human metabolism.

All clinical trial enrollees will receive free Fibroscans, free monthly medical food for six months and free blood tests, at no cost to the participants.

AZ Latinos who are overweight, have elevated liver enzymes or who might have Fatty Liver Disease are encouraged to participate.

Anyone interested in receiving a free Fibroscan should call The LiverLab at (844) 254.8375 to set up an appointment or visit www.theliverlab.com