The Dr. Hyman Show

Fatty Liver Is the New Smoking—And 90 Million Americans Have It

Apr 7, 2025

Join Dr. Elizabeth Boham, a Board Certified Family Medicine expert, and Dr. Yousef Elyaman, founder of a functional medicine practice, as they uncover the truth about fatty liver disease. Affecting 90 million Americans, this condition is linked to various health issues beyond the liver. They discuss its root causes like sugar overload and inflammation. Listeners will learn early warning signs often missed in standard labs, along with holistic methods to tackle this silent epidemic through diet, lifestyle changes, and targeted supplements.

51:04

Episode guests

Yousef Elyaman

Elizabeth Boham

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Fatty liver disease, now known as MASLD, is linked to various chronic illnesses and often goes undiagnosed in traditional medicine.

Dietary modifications and key supplements can significantly improve liver function and mitigate the risks associated with fatty liver disease.

Deep dives

Rising Prevalence of Fatty Liver Disease

The increasing prevalence of fatty liver disease has emerged as a significant health concern, affecting approximately 90 million people in the U.S. alone. This condition is not solely linked to alcohol consumption; rather, factors such as high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and environmental toxins like glyphosate contribute to liver stress. As the liver is essential for detoxification and metabolism, the accumulation of fat within liver cells hampers its functionality, leading to a host of long-term health complications, including chronic diseases. With the rise of metabolic dysfunction among the population, it is crucial to address these underlying causes to mitigate the risk of fatty liver disease.

Intro

2min

Understanding Fatty Liver Disease

19min

Understanding the Drivers of Fatty Liver Disease

4min

Understanding Fatty Liver Disease

14min

The Hidden Dangers of Fructose and Starches in Diet

4min

Steps to Heal Your Liver: Nutrition and Supplements

5min

What if your fatigue, weight gain, hormone imbalances, and brain fog all traced back to a silent disease that affects 1 in 3 people—and you didn’t even know you had it?

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Dr. Elizabeth Boham and Dr. Yousef Elyaman to talk about a condition that’s quietly becoming one of the biggest threats to our health: fatty liver disease—now renamed Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD).

It’s not just a liver issue. It’s deeply connected to heart disease, cancer, infertility, type 2 diabetes, dementia, and even hormone dysfunction. The most alarming part is it’s often missed in traditional medicine because there’s no easy drug to prescribe.

We break down:

The real root causes—from sugar and starch overload to gut imbalances, toxins, alcohol, and chronic inflammation
The surprising early warning signs your body might be giving you
Why standard labs often miss it, and the tests you actually need
The step-by-step functional medicine approach to reverse fatty liver naturally—using targeted nutrition, lifestyle upgrades, and proven supplements

I also share the latest science on inflammation, why it’s the common thread between fatty liver and nearly every chronic disease, and how to calm it down at the root.

This is the episode I wish every patient (and doctor) could hear—because fatty liver is reversible when you catch it early, and the ripple effects of healing it are massive.

If you care about your energy, hormones, brain health, or longevity… this one’s for you.

Dr. Elizabeth Boham is Board Certified in Family Medicine from Albany Medical School, and she is an Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner and the Medical Director of The UltraWellness Center. Dr. Boham lectures on a variety of topics, including Women’s Health and Breast Cancer Prevention, insulin resistance, heart health, weight control and allergies. She is on the faculty for the Institute for Functional Medicine.

Dr. Yousef Elyaman is the founder and Medical Director of Absolute Health, a primary care functional medicine practice in Ocala, Florida. He is the 100th President of the Marion County Medical Society and the Functional Medicine Director at The Guest House Ocala, a trauma and substance abuse center. Dr. Elyaman also serves as the Medical Director for HumanN, a leading nutraceutical company, and is a Consultant for Quest Diagnostics Laboratory in their Wellness Division. He is teaching Faculty for the Institute for Functional Medicine on their Cardiometabolic module. Dr. Elyaman belongs to the first graduating class of the Institute for Functional Medicine. He is Board-certified in Internal Medicine and holds certifications in functional and integrative medicine as well. His leadership and expertise are reflected in his diverse roles, demonstrating his commitment to advancing medical knowledge and improving patient care. When not at work, Dr. Elyaman loves spending time with his wife and seven children where they live on a cattle and horse ranch.

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Full-length episodes can be found here:

How To Prevent And Reverse Fatty Liver Disease with Functional Medicine

The Best Diet to Reverse Fatty Liver Disease with Dr. Yousef Elyaman

Why Fatty Liver Is So Common And How To Heal It