Last Global Fatty Liver Day, Essentiale, the liver care brand from Opella, called attention to a health crisis silently gripping the Philippines. Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) is on the rise, yet it remains one of the least understood and most ignored threats to Filipino well-being.
Nearly 20 million Filipinos are at risk of MAFLD — a condition commonly misunderstood as being alcohol-related but is, in fact, driven by poor diets, lack of exercise, chronic stress, and underlying conditions like obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.
“The liver performs over 500 essential functions, yet it’s one of the most overlooked organ, often dismissed as only a concern for heavy drinkers. MAFLD is one of the fastest-growing threats to public health in the Philippines. What makes it more dangerous is how silent it is. We are now seeing an alarming number of Filipinos in their 30s with early signs of liver damage, often without realizing it. By the time symptoms show, the liver may already be damaged. But there is hope. 8 out of 10 liver issues can be reversed if caught early,” warned Dr. Jose D. Sollano, Professor in the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery specializing in Gastroenterology, University of Santo Tomas.
To confront this crisis, Essentiale is leading a national awareness campaign to educate and empower Filipinos to take charge of their liver health. Through partnerships with pharmacists, healthcare professionals, and local communities, the brand is rolling out interactive education materials and an online self-assessment tool in English and Tagalog that helps users identify early liver health risks and guides them to seek timely medical advice.
“We need to shift the perception that fatty liver disease only affects heavy drinkers, because it doesn’t. In the Philippines, the way many of us live today, eating on the go, sitting for long hours at work, coping with stress, and often putting health last, makes us more vulnerable to liver problems and other lifestyle diseases. But we’re not powerless. Fatty liver disease is preventable and even reversible. With simple changes to our lifestyle habits and preventive health measures, we can take back control,” added J Ann Mirasol, Global Brand Lead, Opella.
