Jump to: What is fatty liver disease? | How does Wegovy help fatty liver? | What does the research show? | Can Wegovy reverse fatty liver? | How long does it take to see results? | What to monitor while taking Wegovy | Diet tips for fatty liver | Frequently asked questions | Take home message
You can take Wegovy if you have fatty liver disease (or non-alcoholic fatty liver, NAFLD), as randomised controlled trials have shown that it can significantly improve the condition and lower liver fat levels.
In the largest clinical trial to date, 62.9% of participants taking Wegovy achieved complete resolution of fatty liver disease (MASH) after 72 weeks, compared to 34.3% on placebo.1
This is significant because fatty liver disease affects roughly 1 in 3 adults globally, yet most people don’t know they have it.2 Around 80% of people with the more advanced form (MASH) remain undiagnosed.3
If you’re living with fatty liver disease and considering Wegovy, or you’re already taking it and wondering about its effects on your liver, the clinical evidence shows clear benefits across multiple liver health markers.
Weight loss has always been the most effective treatment for fatty liver. Wegovy supports average weight loss of 10-15%, which is well into the range associated with liver improvement.
Important safety information: Wegovy (semaglutide) is a prescription-only medication for managing obesity. This article is for informational purposes only. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new medication, particularly if you have liver disease or other health conditions.
It’s important to note that these clinical trials had specific eligibility criteria, and results may differ based on your personal health circumstances.
What is fatty liver disease?
Fatty liver disease occurs when excess fat builds up in your liver cells.
The medical term has recently changed from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), reflecting its close connection to metabolic health conditions like obesity and type 2 diabetes.
The condition exists on a spectrum:
- Simple fatty liver (steatosis): Fat accumulation without significant inflammation. This is the most common form and often causes no symptoms.
- MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis): Previously called NASH, this involves fat plus inflammation and liver cell damage. This is the form that can progress to more serious problems.
- Fibrosis and cirrhosis: Scarring of the liver that develops over years of ongoing damage. Cirrhosis is the most severe stage and can lead to liver failure.
Most people with fatty liver have no symptoms whatsoever. When symptoms do occur, they might include fatigue, discomfort in the upper right abdomen, or generally feeling unwell.
The condition is often discovered incidentally during blood tests or scans for other reasons.
The main risk factors include carrying excess weight (particularly around the middle), type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure. If you have several of these conditions together, your risk increases.
How does Wegovy help fatty liver disease?
Wegovy works through several pathways that directly benefit liver health:
Weight loss reduces liver fat. The most straightforward benefit is weight reduction. Losing just 5-10% of your body weight can significantly reduce liver fat, while losing more than 10% can help resolve inflammation and even improve fibrosis.4
Wegovy supports average weight loss of 10-15%, putting many people well into the range needed for liver improvement.
Improved insulin sensitivity. Insulin resistance is a key driver of fatty liver disease. When your cells don’t respond properly to insulin, your body stores more fat in the liver. Wegovy improves how your body responds to insulin, helping to address this underlying problem.
Reduced inflammation. Research suggests GLP-1 medications may have direct anti-inflammatory effects on the liver, beyond what we’d expect from weight loss alone.5
Lower blood sugar and lipids. By improving blood sugar control and reducing the amount of fat in the bloodstream, Wegovy helps create conditions where your liver can recover.
What does the research show?
The ESSENCE trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in April 2025, provides strong evidence for semaglutide (the drug in Wegovy) in fatty liver disease.1
The study details
- 800 participants in the interim analysis (1,197 total enrolled) with biopsy-confirmed MASH and moderate to severe fibrosis (stage F2 or F3)
- Participants were randomly assigned to receive semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly or placebo
- Treatment lasted 72 weeks
- 2:1 randomisation (534 semaglutide, 266 placebo)
Resolution of MASH (primary outcome)
| Group |
MASH resolution |
Difference vs placebo |
| Placebo |
34.3% |
— |
| Semaglutide 2.4 mg |
62.9% |
+28.7 percentage points |
Fibrosis improvement (primary outcome)
| Group |
Fibrosis improvement (≥1 stage) |
| Placebo |
22.4% |
| Semaglutide 2.4mg |
36.8% |
Combined outcomes
About a third (32.7%) of participants taking semaglutide achieved both MASH resolution and fibrosis improvement, compared to 16.1% on placebo.
Weight loss and liver enzymes
Participants on semaglutide lost an average of 10.5% of their body weight, compared to 2% on placebo.
Liver enzymes also improved significantly:
- ALT reduced by 40%
- AST reduced by 30%
- GGT reduced by 40%
Can Wegovy reverse fatty liver disease?
Based on the ESSENCE trial results, Wegovy can reverse the inflammatory component of fatty liver disease (MASH) in most people.
The trial showed that 62.9% of participants on semaglutide achieved MASH resolution without worsening of fibrosis. This means the active disease process had stopped.
However, there are important caveats:
- The interim analysis was at 72 weeks. The full trial continues to 240 weeks (about 4.5 years) with results expected in 2029.
- Participants had moderate to severe fibrosis (F2-F3), not cirrhosis (F4)
- A separate trial in patients with cirrhosis showed semaglutide didn’t significantly improve fibrosis in that population
- Maintaining improvements likely requires ongoing weight management
For fibrosis, about 37% of participants showed improvement of at least one stage. Complete reversal of significant scarring takes longer and may not be achievable for everyone.
How long does it take to see results?
Different aspects of fatty liver disease improve at different rates:
Liver fat reduction: This can begin within weeks to months of starting treatment, as weight loss occurs. MRI studies show measurable reductions in liver fat content relatively early.
Liver enzyme improvements: Blood markers like ALT and AST often improve within the first few months. The ESSENCE trial showed 30-40% reductions in liver enzymes. Your doctor may check these periodically to track progress.
MASH resolution: The trial measured this at 72 weeks. Resolution of inflammation and liver cell damage takes time, typically several months to a year.
Fibrosis improvement: Liver scarring is the slowest to reverse. Even in the trial, fibrosis improvement rates were more modest than MASH resolution. Significant improvement may take a year or longer, if it occurs.
What to monitor while taking Wegovy
If you have fatty liver disease and are taking Wegovy, your healthcare provider may recommend:
Liver function blood tests: Periodic checks of liver enzymes (ALT, AST) can help track your liver’s response to treatment. These are simple blood tests your GP can arrange.
Side effect monitoring: The gastrointestinal side effects of Wegovy (nausea, constipation) are usually manageable but should be reported to your prescriber. Dehydration from persistent vomiting or diarrhoea needs prompt attention.
Signs to report promptly: Contact your healthcare provider if you experience severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, yellowing of your skin or eyes, or dark urine. While rare, these could indicate a problem that needs attention.
Weight loss pace: Very rapid weight loss can occasionally worsen liver function in the short term. If you’re losing weight very quickly, your doctor may want to monitor you more closely.
Your prescribing pharmacist or GP can advise on the appropriate monitoring for your individual situation.
Diet tips for fatty liver on Wegovy
While Wegovy helps us feel fuller for longer, what you eat still matters for liver health. Here are some practical tips:
Focus on whole foods. A diet based on vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats supports liver health better than processed foods.6
Prioritise protein. Getting enough protein (roughly a palm-sized portion at each meal) helps preserve muscle mass during weight loss and supports liver recovery.
Limit added sugars and refined carbohydrates. These are particularly problematic for fatty liver because they can increase liver fat production. This includes sugary drinks, sweets, pastries, and biscuits.
Be mindful of alcohol. Alcohol is metabolised in the liver, similar to sugar, and drinking alcohol to excess can worsen our liver health.
Include omega-3-rich foods. Oily fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines contain omega-3 fatty acids that may help reduce liver fat and inflammation.
For more detailed guidance, see our guide on what to eat while on Wegovy.
Frequently asked questions
Can Wegovy cure fatty liver disease?
‘Cure’ is a strong word, but the ESSENCE trial showed that 62.9% of participants achieved resolution of MASH after 72 weeks.
This means the active disease process stopped, though maintaining a healthy weight remains important to prevent recurrence.
How long until I see improvements in my liver?
Liver enzymes (blood test markers) often improve within the first few months. Resolution of inflammation typically takes longer, with the trial showing significant results at 72 weeks.
Fibrosis improvement may take even longer.
Do I need liver function tests while taking Wegovy?
Your prescriber may recommend periodic liver function blood tests, particularly if you have known fatty liver disease.
These help track your liver’s response to treatment and ensure everything is progressing safely.
Can I take Wegovy if I have cirrhosis?
A separate trial tested semaglutide specifically in patients with cirrhosis and found it did not significantly improve fibrosis in that group.
If you have cirrhosis, you’d need specialist hepatology input before starting Wegovy.
Will my liver recover completely?
This depends on how advanced your liver disease is. Simple fatty liver and MASH without significant fibrosis have the best chance of full recovery.
More advanced fibrosis may improve but might not reverse completely.
What are signs my liver is improving?
Improving liver enzyme levels on blood tests is often the first measurable sign.
You might also notice improved energy levels, though fatty liver often causes no symptoms to begin with.
Should I avoid alcohol while taking Wegovy for fatty liver?
While moderate alcohol consumption isn’t absolutely prohibited, limiting or avoiding alcohol is generally sensible if you have fatty liver disease.
Your liver is already under stress, and alcohol adds to that burden.
Is fatty liver disease serious?
It can be. While simple fatty liver rarely causes problems, MASH can progress to cirrhosis and liver failure over years or decades.
The good news is that catching and treating it early significantly improves outcomes.
Can fatty liver disease come back after treatment?
Yes, if the underlying causes return. Maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle after stopping Wegovy (or while continuing it) is important for preventing recurrence.
How does Wegovy compare to other treatments for fatty liver?
The ESSENCE trial compared Wegovy to placebo rather than other treatments directly.
However, the 62.9% resolution rate is among the highest seen in fatty liver trials. In August 2025, semaglutide became the first GLP-1 medication to receive FDA approval specifically for treating MASH.
Take home message
Fatty liver disease affects roughly one in three adults, yet most people don’t know they have it until it’s discovered incidentally or has already progressed.
The ESSENCE trial showed that 62.9% of participants taking Wegovy achieved resolution of MASH after 72 weeks, with over a third showing improvement in liver scarring.
If you have fatty liver disease and are considering Wegovy, or you’re already taking it, the key points are:
- Weight loss is the most effective treatment for fatty liver, and Wegovy supports significant weight loss
- Resolution of the inflammatory component (MASH) is achievable for many people within about 18 months
- Fibrosis improvement is possible, but takes longer
- Maintaining healthy habits alongside medication gives you the best chance of lasting improvement
Your doctor can advise whether Wegovy is appropriate for your situation and arrange any monitoring that might be helpful.
Second Nature's Mounjaro and Wegovy programmes
Second Nature provides Mounjaro or Wegovy as part of our Mounjaro and Wegovy weight-loss programmes.
Why choose Second Nature over other medication providers, assuming you're eligible?
Because peace of mind matters.
We've had the privilege of working with the NHS for over eight years, helping people across the UK take meaningful steps toward a healthier, happier life.
Our programmes are designed to meet people where they are, whether that means support with weight loss through compassionate one-to-one health coaching, or access to the latest weight-loss medications (like Mounjaro and Wegovy) delivered alongside expert care from a multidisciplinary team of doctors, psychologists, dietitians, and personal trainers.
At the heart of everything we do is a simple belief: real, lasting change comes from building better habits, not relying on quick fixes. We're here to support that change every step of the way.
With over a decade of experience, thousands of lives changed, and a long-standing record of delivering programmes used by the NHS, we believe we're the UK's most trusted weight-loss programme.
We hope to offer you something invaluable: peace of mind, and the support you need to take that first step.
References
- Sanyal AJ, Newsome PN, Kliers I, et al. Phase 3 Trial of Semaglutide in Metabolic Dysfunction–Associated Steatohepatitis. N Engl J Med. 2025;392(21). https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2413258
- Younossi ZM, Golabi P, Paik JM, et al. The global epidemiology of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH): a systematic review. Hepatology. 2023;77(4):1335-1347.
- British Liver Trust. Liver disease in numbers – key facts and statistics. https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/information-and-support/statistics/
- Vilar-Gomez E, Martinez-Perez Y, Calzadilla-Bertot L, et al. Weight loss through lifestyle modification significantly reduces features of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Gastroenterology. 2015;149(2):367-378.
- Newsome PN, Buchholtz K, Cusi K, et al. A placebo-controlled trial of subcutaneous semaglutide in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. N Engl J Med. 2021;384:1113-1124.
- Zelber-Sagi S, Salomone F, Mlynarsky L. The Mediterranean dietary pattern as the diet of choice for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Evidence and plausible mechanisms. Liver Int. 2017;37(7):936-949.
