Originally Posted by
Reminder 
How do they treat the disease? How do non-alcoholics get the disease?
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is characterized by an accumulation of adipose tissue (fat) in the liver. This accumulation interferes with the liver's ability to effectively break down drugs and remove toxins from the blood.
NAFLD is currently treated with healthy weight management (through diet and exercise), control of blood sugar (especially in diabetic patients), control of cholesterol (through medication use and diet), and avoidance of hepatic toxins like alcohol.
The major pre-disposing factor is a higher than average Body Mass Index. People who are overweight are prone to develop the disease, so it is seen frequently in the United States. It's not clear where the fat deposits in the liver come from - existing adipose tissue, dietary fat, or some combination of the two. There may also be a genetic component.
Fortunately, in the early stages the damage to the liver is readily reversible!