MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. (WSVN) – Hall of Fame quarterback and Miami Dolphins special advisor Dan Marino revealed that he has been diagnosed with a liver disease.
Marino, who turned 64 on Monday, told “People” he has metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, or MASH, formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
“Any time you’re diagnosed with something, you’re surprised,” said Marino. “It’s like, what do I got to change?”
He said he received the diagnosis in 2007 during a routine checkup, noting at the time only minor fatigue.
“If it goes untreated the symptoms are getting fatigued, just general not feeling good about your body,” he said.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, MASH occurs when excess fat builds up in the liver, potentially causing chronic inflammation that can lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer.
7News spoke to Dr. Adarsh Vijay of Memorial Transplant Institute about the disease overall.
“One in three of us could be having fatty liver disease. The incidence of fatty liver disease has grown exponentially, more than 50% in the last three decades,” said Vijay.
Marino said he has improved his health through consistent exercise and dietary changes, following his doctor’s advice to lose weight and adopt a Mediterranean diet.
“If you want to live long you have to work out, eat right, continue to have a positive attitude,” said Marino.
He said he has cut back on wine, pizza, candy and ice cream.
Vijay said Marino is on the right track.
“It has a lot to do with your dieting modifications, your lifestyle changes, trying to include exercise routines in your day-to-day life, limiting alcohol consumption, if not to at least stop alcohol consumption,” said Vijay.
Marino credited former Dolphins teammate Terry Kirby for training him and his wife, Claire, for joining him on nightly walks and bike rides, according to “People.”
“MASH is a silent killer, and when it goes unnoticed it can be a problem,” said Marino. “And that’s why you have to go get checked, you have to take care of your health and it’s just so important, not only for you, but the people that love you.”
Marino said it’s hard to stay in the same shape he was in when he was an elite athlete, and credits his early diagnosis for the lifestyle change in an attempt to reverse the illness.
Doctors encourages individuals who have increased risks such as Type 2 diabetes, obesity or high levels of cholesterol to get screened.
Marino spent his entire 17-season NFL career with the Dolphins. He retired in 1999 having played in one Super Bowl and holding NFL records in completions (4,967), passing yards (61,361), and touchdown passes (420), though many have since been surpassed as the passing game has evolved.
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