Because IBS isn’t solved in appointments. It’s solved in the moments between them. Powered by Adaptive AI—Physician Supervised.
We Don’tJust Calm Symptoms. We Unlock What IBS Forced You to Restrict.
Not as concepts—as a coordinated, physician-guided system designed to work together.
Dr. Leybelis believes the current healthcare system often treats digestive symptoms in isolation, leaving important gaps in care.
Because in IBS, the mind-gut connection isn't optional - it's foundational.
Our mindset pillar draws from research in neuroplasticity, heart rate variability (HRV), and heart coherence principles. Dr. Leybelis participated in the Inner Health Coalition, a network of medical professionals exploring the integration of meditation and mindfulness tools by the work of Dr. Joe Dispenza into conventional healthcare.
These tools are incorporated thoughtfully and alongside evidence based medical care.
As a registered dietitian, I’ve spent years supporting individuals who want to feel better in their bodies but are often overwhelmed by conflicting nutrition advice and one-size-fits-all wellness trends.
I began to see a clear pattern: gut health and long-term wellbeing are rarely shaped by just one food or one habit. Digestive function, dietary patterns, metabolic health, and daily lifestyle choices all influence how people feel—but these pieces are often addressed in isolation.
Through my clinical work, education, and experience in corporate wellbeing, I began to build an approach centered on practical, evidence-based nutrition that is both inclusive and sustainable.
My goal is to help people move beyond confusion and restriction toward a clearer, more supportive path to digestive health and overall wellbeing.
Because IBS isn’t solved in appointments. It’s solved in the moments between them. Powered by Adaptive AI—Physician Supervised.
Get access to the app and get:
As you provide feedback:
We map your symptoms, history, triggers, and patterns in detail. We obtain baseline blood work and stool testing.
You receive a structured, physician-guided plan across all four domains.
Your plan evolves based on your responses—not a fixed schedule.
We refine until your symptoms stabilize—and your life expands again.
FOR PATIENTS LOCATED IN CALIFORNIA AND IDAHO ONLY
Remember those surprise bills in the mail even though insurance told you it was “covered”? That’s why we don’t do insurance.
Because sustainable IBS improvement requires:
Quick fixes often fail because they skip the nervous
system and habit layers
No.
Over-restriction often worsens sensitivity.
We focus on:
The goal is expansion – not shrinking your world.
Traditional GI visits are often time-limited and focused on ruling out danger. We are augmenting your existing gastroenterology care. It’s not meant to replace it.
This program is designed to:
IBS is rarely fixed in weeks.
Most patients notice:
IBS improvement looks like:
Someone who:
$1,999 paid annually. If you aren’t happy with your experience, receive a full refund if requested within 30 days of signing up. Email hello@leybelismd.com
Because this program includes physician-led medical care, patients must reside in California and Idaho for us to provide clinical services. If you live outside of California or Idaho, we hope to expand in the future and encourage you to stay connected for updates.
This is included in your annual fee. A $500 value alone!
We will do baseline blood work and stool testing to include looking at your liver enzymes, kidneys, electrolytes, thyroid, blood counts (looking for anemia), and screening for celiac disease. We will also check stool for markers of inflammation. For a detailed list of testing, please reach out to us for specific questions at hello@leybelismd.com
Fatty liver disease symptoms and treatment are often overlooked because this condition can quietly damage your liver for years without any obvious signs.
As a gastroenterologist, I see it all the time: someone comes in for routine blood work or imaging, and we discover they have a fatty liver. The kicker? They feel totally fine. No pain, no nausea, no clue anything was wrong. That’s what makes fatty liver so sneaky — it’s often silent, until it isn’t.
And get this, advanced scarring or cirrhosis due to fatty liver disease is now the number one cause of liver transplant in the US! It’s not alcohol and certainly not hepatitis C now that we have medications that are curing more people with hepatitis C. Let’s break it down and find out why (Chalasani et al., 2018).
"Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is now the most common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide."
Fatty liver happens when excess fat builds up in your liver cells. A small amount of fat in the liver is normal, but too much can interfere with liver function and cause inflammation. Over time, that can lead to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), scarring (fibrosis), and even cirrhosis, which is irreversible (Younossi et al., 2016).
The worst part? Many people don’t know they have it until significant damage has already occurred.
That’s why understanding fatty liver disease symptoms and treatment early is so important — it gives you the power to take action before complications arise.
Fatty liver is often associated with:
Obesity (especially belly fat)
Type 2 diabetes
High blood pressure
High cholesterol or triglycerides
This cluster of conditions is often referred to as metabolic syndrome, and it’s a major driver of fatty liver disease.
In fact, the number one cause of fatty liver today is insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction, especially from excess abdominal fat. This is why we now refer to the condition as MAFLD (Metabolic dysfunction–Associated Fatty Liver Disease) instead of NAFLD (non-alcohol related fatty liver disease). It highlights that metabolic issues — not alcohol — are often the root cause (Younossi et al., 2016).
So while alcohol-related liver disease is very real, today we’re seeing more and more patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) tied to lifestyle factors and metabolic health. This includes young adults, people with normal BMIs but high visceral fat, and even kids (Rinella & Charlton, 2016).
There is even a genetic component to fatty liver disease where a mutation in the PNPLA3 gene can play a role.
A common variant called I148M makes this enzyme work less efficiently — like a clogged drain in your liver. People with this gene variant tend to accumulate more fat in their liver, even if they eat the same as others or have the same body weight.
It’s especially common in people of Latino/Hispanic, South Asian, and Native American backgrounds, which helps explain why these groups may be more likely to develop fatty liver disease.
People with two copies of this PNPLA3 variant (one from each parent) have up to a 3- to 12-fold increased risk of severe liver disease compared to those without it (Romeo et al., 2008).
The good news? Fatty liver can be reversed in its early stages. But if left unchecked, it can quietly progress to permanent liver damage. Cirrhosis increases your risk for liver cancer, liver failure, and even a need for transplant — and that’s not a club anyone wants to join (Chalasani et al., 2018).
Fatty liver often shows no symptoms — until it’s already done serious damage.
Your liver works hard behind the scenes—filtering toxins, balancing hormones, and storing energy. Fatty liver often creeps in silently, but the good news is: it’s reversible with the right support.
You don’t need a miracle supplement or complicated protocol. The most powerful tools for healing fatty liver are ones you already know:
Lose excess weight (even a 5–10% loss can improve liver fat)
Exercise regularly (a mix of cardio and strength training)
Limit added sugars, refined carbs, and ultra-processed foods
Eat more fiber and whole foods
Cut back on alcohol
These simple lifestyle adjustments are still the foundation of effective fatty liver disease symptoms and treatment today.
These changes support your liver, improve insulin sensitivity, and reduce inflammation — all essential for reversing or slowing fatty liver (Marchesini et al., 2016). Regular movement — especially practices like yoga for digestion — can improve liver function, reduce inflammation, and support gut health as part of your healing plan. You can also read about how acid-suppressing medications like PPIs may impact liver and gut health in this post on proton pump inhibitors.
“Lifestyle intervention remains the cornerstone of therapy for NAFLD and should be recommended to all patients.”
There’s no magic pill for fatty liver, but some treatments show promise. Vitamin E, for example, may help reduce liver inflammation in certain non-diabetic individuals.
There is a newer drug on the block called Resmetirom (brand name: Rezdiffra™)
Though not officially FDA-approved for NAFLD/MASH, some drugs are often prescribed off-label based on evidence of benefit:
|
Medication |
Use |
Notes |
|
Pioglitazone |
Insulin resistance |
Especially in patients with type 2 diabetes; may improve liver inflammation and fibrosis |
|
GLP-1 agonists (e.g., semaglutide, liraglutide) |
Weight loss, diabetes |
Effective for reducing liver fat and inflammation |
|
Vitamin E (800 IU/day) |
Antioxidant |
Recommended for non-diabetic patients with biopsy-proven NASH |
Always talk to your healthcare provider before starting any supplements or meds. The best plan is usually lifestyle-first, supported by guidance from your care team.
Fatty liver is silent, common, and more dangerous than most people realize. But the earlier you catch it, the easier it is to turn things around. With the right lifestyle changes and support, you can lighten your liver’s load and prevent long-term damage.
With the right knowledge of fatty liver disease symptoms and treatment, you can make changes that truly protect your long-term health.
Your liver is a powerhouse — take care of it, and it will take care of you. 💚
Ready to take control of your liver health?
Book your FREE 45-minute GI Health Consultation today to explore personalized strategies rooted in the 4M’s: Medical, Meals, Mindset, and Movement.
Chalasani, Naga, et al. The Diagnosis and Management of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Practice Guidance from the AASLD. Hepatology, vol. 67, no. 1, 2018, pp. 328–357.
URL: https://aasldpubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hep.29367
Harrison, Stephen A., et al. A Phase 3, Randomized, Controlled Trial of Resmetirom in NASH with Liver Fibrosis. New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 390, no. 6, 2024, pp. 497–509.
URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38324483/
Loomba, Rohit. Advances in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Therapies. Journal of Hepatology, 2022.
URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35599922/
Marchesini, Giovanni, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Lifestyle Interventions in Patients with NAFLD. Journal of Hepatology, vol. 64, no. 4, 2016, pp. 1030–1039.
URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26663351/
Romeo, Stefano, et al. Genetic Variation in PNPLA3 Confers Susceptibility to NAFLD. Nature Genetics, vol. 40, 2008, pp. 1461–1465.
URL: https://www.nature.com/articles/ng.257
Rinella, Mary E., and Michael Charlton. The Globalization of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Prevalence and Impact on World Health. Hepatology, vol. 64, no. 1, 2016, pp. 19–22.
URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26926530/
Younossi, Zobair M., et al. Global Epidemiology of NAFLD—Meta‑Analytic Assessment. Hepatology, vol. 64, no. 1, 2016, pp. 73–84.
URL: https://aasldpubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/hep.28431
