Female Dietary Patterns and the Pathogenesis of NAFLD

Abstract

In Europe as well as the United States, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease and is strongly associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is defined as a hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome. Being a very powerful and independent cardiovascular risk factor, NAFLD increases cardiovascular and overall mortality to a significant degree. The purpose of this review was to determine sex-and gender-specific differences in the prevalence and pathogenesis of NAFLD and delineate the specific characteristics of NAFLD as a systemic disease in men and women. Postmenopausal women and women with endocrine disorders such as the polycystic ovarian syndrome are at high risk of developing NAFLD. The increasing incidence of female NAFLD after menopause appears to be related to reduced estrogen and increased testosterone levels, as well as changes in the distribution of fatty tissue. Finally, the role of genderspecific nutrition patterns in the pathogenesis of NAFLD will be discussed. Fructose consumption from industrialized products is a promoter of NAFLD, depending on the total daily calorie intake of macronutrients. A higher level of health literacy and conscious food behavior have been noted among women of all age groups compared to males, which could play a role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. Health professionals are confronted with the challenges of early diagnosis by the use of sensitive, reliable, and noninvasive diagnostic tools, including screening algorithms for high-risk persons and providing gender-specific nutritional support as a crucial element of treatment and disease prevention.Keywords NAFLD and women, prevalence and epidemiology of NAFLD, gender nutrition patterns, and fructose and NAFLD

Atherogenic index of plasma is a novel and strong predictor associated with fatty liver: a cross-sectional study in the Chinese Han population

“…Besides, ORs in female and people under 45 years old group shown a faster growth rate compared with male and people upon 45 years old group. Although FL is primarily a male disease, the alteration in sex hormone levels, specifically reduced estrogens and increased androgens during and after menopause, is an important factor in the emergence of FL [23]. Cai M-J et al found the proportion of male patients gradually decreased with age, while the proportion of female patients increased [24].…”

“…Cai M-J et al found the proportion of male patients gradually decreased with age, while the proportion of female patients increased [24]. Compared with male and old, female and youth have excessive intake of calories combined with poor physical activity which may be responsible for the accumulation of intrahepatic fat and hepatotoxicity [23, 25].…”

Clinical impact of sexual dimorphism in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)

“…An interesting review focused on the role of sex‐specific nutrition patterns in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and including eight nutrition trials indicates that there are “typical” female patterns 52 . Women of all age groups are healthier than men with regard to their food behaviour.…”

WHtR may be a Better and Stronger Indictor for Fatty Liver: A Population-Based Cross-sectional Comparison Study of Anthropometric and Metabolic Indices for Identification Fatty Liver in China

“…Loss of estrogen after menopause leads to extensive changes in the metabolic system, including an increase in visceral adiposity. Although FL is primarily a male disease, the alteration in sex hormone levels, speci cally reduced estrogens and increased androgens during and after menopause, is an important factor in the emergence of FL for female subjects [30,31]. A study of Japanese women showed aging is a risk factor for FL in premenopausal women, independently from weight gain or in uence of metabolic syndrome [32].…”