The only way to prevent nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is to prevent fat from building up in your liver. A healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise and a healthful diet is the best way to prevent fat buildup. A healthy diet also can decrease your body's resistance to insulin, which is the best way to prevent fat buildup.

One safe and effective way to control your cholesterol without taking medicine is a program called Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes. This program involves losing excess weight, increasing your activity, and eating meals that are low in saturated fat. Done together, these changes may help you lower your cholesterol by 10% to 20%.

If you have diabetes, keeping your blood sugar in a safe range can help prevent NASH. For more information on how to control blood sugar, see the topic Type 2 Diabetes: Living With the Disease.

If you already have NASH or if tests show that fat has already built up in your liver, modifying your diet and getting regular exercise can help reduce the risk of further liver damage. You should also minimize your use of alcohol, which can increase damage to your liver, and avoid any medicines that may harm the liver.