Scientists found that fatty liver disease, affecting nearly 30% of adults worldwide, is five biologically distinct conditions, not one.

Researchers at Mayo Clinic and Virginia Tech published the findings on MASLD in Nature Communications.

MASLD, once called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, happens when excess fat builds up in the liver.

It often starts without symptoms but can lead to scarring, cirrhosis, liver cancer and transplantation.

The team combined genetic sequencing with clinical data from more than 4,600 patients.

Three subtypes mainly involve other parts of the body, such as a cardiorenal subtype tied to heart and kidney function.

Two subtypes are liver-centric, driven largely by genetic factors affecting the liver itself.

Some subtypes tracked obesity and diabetes, while others seemed driven more by inherited genes than lifestyle.

Each subtype carries different risks for heart disease, liver failure, cancer and transplant needs.

Read the full article for more details on the fatty liver subtypes.