This World Diabetes Day, Filipino health experts are highlighting the liver’s often-overlooked role in type 2 diabetes. While the pancreas usually takes center stage, growing evidence shows that Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) play a key role in insulin resistance, a central factor in diabetes.
Globally, about 26% of people with type 2 diabetes also have MAFLD or MASLD, a condition that can remain silent until it becomes serious. In the Philippines, the International Diabetes Federation estimates that over 4.7 million adults live with diabetes, while nearly 20 million Filipinos are at risk of fatty liver disease. Poor diet, obesity, lack of physical activity, and metabolic disorders have fueled this “silent epidemic.”
Dr. Jose D. Sollano, Jr., Professor of Medicine and Gastroenterology at the University of Santo Tomas, explains, “Over 90% of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese. Up to 70–80% of patients with T2DM have MAFLD or MASLD. Excess fat in the liver, muscle, and pancreas interferes with insulin function, creating a dangerous cycle we can break if we act early.”
People with MAFLD or MASLD are two to five times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Yet while blood sugar screenings are common, liver health checks remain rare. Experts stress that early liver care, lifestyle interventions, and education are critical to reducing complications such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and worsening diabetes.
Simple changes—balanced diet, regular exercise, and weight management—can reduce liver fat and improve overall metabolic health. This World Diabetes Day, experts urge Filipinos to ask about liver screenings, understand the link between liver function and blood sugar, and take proactive steps to protect their long-term health.
For more information and a free liver self-assessment, visit Essentiale Philippines or learn more about World Diabetes Day at worlddiabetesday.org.
