Background
The aim of this study was the assess association between of dietary inflammatory index (DII) and non-invasive markers of liver status in adults.
Methods
This cross-sectional study was performed on 8,520 individuals aged 35–65 years, recruited in Ravansar Non-Communicable Diseases (RaNCD) cohort study, the west of Iran. DII score was calculated based on participants’ dietary intakes obtained from Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Fatty Liver Index (FLI) score was calculated by anthropometric measurements and some non-invasive markers of liver status. Linear regression models were used to estimate the associations and adjust for possible confounding factors.
Results
The mean of age was 47.24 ± 8.31 years and 4275 (%50.18) were male. A greater DII score was significantly associated with higher energy intake, BMI (body mass index), BFM (body fat mass), blood pressure and FLI (P < 0.001). Participants with the highest DII score had a significantly higher consumption saturated fat, trans fat and red meat than those in the lowest quartile (P < 0.001). With one point increment in the physical activity, on average the risk of having FLI decreased by 5 (95% CI, -0.484 to -0.519). After adjustment for age and sex, participants in the highest quartile of DII score had a greater risk of FLI (β: 0.742, 95% CI: 0.254, 0.601).
Conclusion
The more pro-inflammatory diet in participants was associated with higher FLI; DII score was positively associated with non-invasive liver markers (ALT, AST and GGT). FLI had positive association with BMI, WC, BFM and energy intake. Thus having an anti-inflammatory diet can help balance liver enzymes, reduce obesity and fatty liver.