For years, John Hatty​ was a senior businessman travelling the world. The former scientist's job with a mining company took him to many fine restaurants where he would consume what he now calls his "three enemies" – sugar, salt and fat.

But this all came to a halt when the 63-year-old discovered he had non-alcoholic fatty liver disease – a lesser known complication of obesity that now affects about one in three Australians.

About 18 months ago, Mr Hatty, a father of four, was told the disease was causing catastrophic damage to his liver – an essential organ that breaks down food, removes toxins and regulates our metabolism.

While the disease does not produce symptoms for 90 to 95 per cent of people, it was causing fluid to build up in his abdomen. It was also triggering frightening lapses of consciousness, including one that put him in intensive care for three days.