The role of nutrition in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease: Pathophysiology and management

Abstract

A healthy diet together with physical activity could induce weight loss and control the progression of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the composition of diet has not been clearly established. Macronutrients such as saturated fatty acids (SFA), trans‐fats, simple sugars and animal proteins have a harmful effect on the liver. On the other hand, monounsaturated fats (MUFAs), polyunsaturated (PUFAs) omega‐3‐fats, plant‐based proteins and dietary fibres are considered to be beneficial to the liver. The impact of specific micronutrients is less well‐known. Nutrients are part of the food we eat. Food makes up our meals, which compose our dietary patterns. Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease patients usually follow Western diets which are rich in soda, frozen junk food, juice, red meat, lard, processed meats, whole fat dairy foods, fatty snack foods, take‐away foods, cakes and biscuits and poor in cereals, whole grains, fruit, vegetables, extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and fish. On the other hand, the Mediterranean diet (MD) is beneficial for NAFLD even when it is iso‐caloric or there are no changes in body weight. A new approach, called ‘nutritional geometry’ considers the importance of integrating nutrition, animals and the environment. The goal of this approach is to combine nutrients and foods in a model to understand how food components interact to regulate the properties of diets affecting health and disease. The use of algorithms developed by artificial intelligence (AI) to create a personalized diet for patients can provide customized nutritional counselling to prevent and treat NAFLD.

Plasma and stool metabolomic biomarkers of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Argentina

“…Considering that diet has been described as a modulator in NAFLD progression and one of the multiple factors that could modify the gut microbiota, and consequently its derived metabolites [23,24], we analyzed the food frequency consumption data from the recruited volunteers. Although it is recommended that NAFLD patients follow a healthy diet [25], our results showed no differences regarding food intake. For this reason, diet was not a confounding factor to consider within our cohort and all the reported changes in metabolites concentration among groups are independent of dietary factors.…”

Combined effects of lifestyle risk factors on fatty liver index

“…In accordance with this view, moderate or vigorous physical activity were recently shown to reduce fat, inflammation and oxidative stress in the liver even in cases without any notable changes in BMI status [35]. Previous studies have shown that Western diet characterized by high fat, high carbohydrate and insufficient vitamin intake may provide triggers for insulin resistance and associated hepatotoxicity [14,46,[51][52][53][54][55][56]. On the other hand, adherence to a healthy diet has recently been emphasized among the first-line treatment options for NAFLD [52,57].…”

Combined Effects of Lifestyle Risk Factors on Fatty Liver Index

“…Previous studies have shown that Western diet characterized by high fat, high carbohydrate and insufficient vitamin intake may provide triggers for insulin resistance and associated hepatotoxicity [14,46,[51][52][53][54][55][56]. On the other hand, adherence to a healthy diet has recently been emphasized among the first-line treatment options for NAFLD [52,57].…”