European liver health experts call for action against the growing ‘silent’ epidemic of fatty liver disease.

Hungary, March 23 2026. Leading European liver specialists convened at a symposium hosted by Opella during the EASL SLD Summit in Budapest to address the growing global burden of MASLD , calling for greater awareness, earlier diagnosis, and multidisciplinary care to tackle what many experts describe as a “silent epidemic.”

MASLD is estimated to affect around 30% of the global adult population  and is projected to impact more than 55% worldwide by 2040 . Because symptoms such as fatigue, low energy, and sleep disturbances are often overlooked, the disease frequently goes undiagnosed until more advanced stages. Yet up to 80% of cases can be reversed when the condition is identified early, highlighting the critical role of awareness and timely intervention among both healthcare professionals and patients.

Key insights from the symposium included:

1. Prof. Dr. Mária Papp highlighted that “the global prevalence of MASLD is currently around 50% among adults, but it's up to 15% in children and adolescents, which is very threatening for us,” and added that “this patient population really needs a multidisciplinary team care,” underlining the need for coordinated, multi-specialty approaches that do not focus on the liver alone, but also address the broader metabolic, lifestyle, and cardiovascular factors associated with the disease.
2. Prof. Dr. Jörn Schattenberg emphasized that MASLD symptoms are often underestimated in clinical practice and that physicians must actively explore the patient experience. Using a simple analogy, he explained that “if you don't take a temperature, you can't find a fever.”
3. Prof. Dr. Münevver Demir presented data from the EXCEL study, a multi-center, randomized, controlled trial investigating the role of essential phospholipids in MASLD management, emphasizing that “essential phospholipids significantly improved steatosis versus placebo.”
4. Prof. Dr. Marek Hartleb concluded by advocating for essential phospholipids as an adjunct therapy, stating that “in the absence of strongly recommended liver-targeted therapies, essential phospholipids provide a viable option for managing MASLD."

During the symposium, the acceptance for publication of the EXCEL study was announced.  The study found that Essentiale, when combined with lifestyle interventions, significantly reduced liver fat and supported liver regeneration in patients with MASLD. Participants reported meaningful improvements in fatigue, often the most common yet ignored symptom, and improvements in glycemic control were observed among patients with metabolic conditions such as obesity or type 2 diabetes.

Nikunj Thakker. Global Brand General Manager Essentiale, Opella.

“The EXCEL study provides important new clinical evidence showing that Essentiale, combined with lifestyle measures, can reduce liver fat 2.5 times more effectively than lifestyle changes alone. Its acceptance for publication highlights the strength of the findings and the potential impact of early intervention for patients with MASLD.” 

During the summit, Essentiale also announced its launch in Hungary under the FestalPro trademark, reflecting Opella’s commitment to expanding access to liver health solutions and supporting earlier management of fatty liver disease.

About Essentiale.

Essentiale® is a globally recognised liver health product formulated with essential phospholipids derived from highly purified soybean. Rich in phosphatidylcholine, these phospholipids support the structural integrity of liver cell membranes and the organ’s natural metabolic processes. Essentiale® is used in many markets around the world to support liver health and address functional symptoms associated with liver stress. The brand is part of Opella’s portfolio of consumer health solutions that aim to make self-care simple and effective. 

About Opella.

Opella is the self-care challenger with the purest and third-largest portfolio in the Over the counter (OTC) & Vitamins, Minerals & Supplements (VMS) market globally. Our mission is to bring health in people’s hands by making self-care as simple as it should be. For half a billion consumers worldwide – and counting. At the core of this mission is our 100 loved brands, our 11,000-strong global team, our 13 best-in-class manufacturing sites and 4 specialized science and innovation development centers. Headquartered in France, Opella is the proud maker of many of the world’s most loved brands, including Allegra, Buscopan, Doliprane, Dulcolax, Enterogermina, Essentiale and Mucosolvan. B Corp certified globally, we are active players in the journey towards healthier people and planet.

Find out more about our mission at www.opella.com.

About the EXCEL study.

The new EXCEL study — a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial — shows that Essentiale, containing essential phospholipids, helps reduce liver fat in patients with Metabolic Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD). Essentiale reduced liver fat 2.5 times more effectively than standard of care alone (diet and exercise) and significantly improved patient-reported fatigue, a common concern in everyday practice. With a strong safety profile and now the highest level of clinical evidence, Essentiale offers a reliable, well tolerated option — especially for patients with comorbidities like type 2 diabetes or overweight.

About Opella’s Satellite Symposiom at EASL SLD Summit 2026.

• Opella’s satellite symposium featured leading European hepatology experts, including: 
• Prof. Dr. Mária Papp – Understanding MASLD: Unveiling the Hidden Burden of a Silent Epidemic 
• Prof. Dr. Jörn Schattenberg – Not as Silent as We Think: MASLD’s Impact on Quality of Life 
• Prof. Dr. Münevver Demir – EXCEL Clinical Trial: Essential Phospholipids in Steatosis and Fatigue Improvement 
• Prof. Dr. Marek Hartleb – Optimizing Patient Outcomes with Essential Phospholipids in MASLD

All trademarks mentioned in this press release are the property of Opella