Effect of Mediterranean Diet on Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Overview

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a clinical/biochemical condition associated with the metabolic syndrome. As the disease stems from excess calorie intake and lack of physical activity, the correction of unhealthy lifestyles is the background of any prevention and treatment strategy

The majority of NAFLD patients are characterized by high body mass index, insulin resistance and they show a remarkably higher energy intake in comparison to individuals without hepatic steatosis. Several authors have proposed dietary weight loss strategies to ameliorate or reverse fatty liver because of the potential role of weight loss on the supposed risk factors of liver injury, mainly insulin resistance, free fatty acid levels, and pro-inflammatory and profibrotic adipokines. There are no definite data regarding how much and how rapidly weight loss should be to have the more favorable effects, but in obese children, the larger the weight loss, the larger the decrease of liver enzyme levels and the lower the prevalence of NAFLD. The American Gastroenterological Association recommends a weight loss target of 10% of baseline. A loss of at least 10% of body weight in obese patients is associated with a normalization of previously abnormal liver function tests as well as decreased hepatomegaly, but even a moderate weight loss (approximately 6% of baseline weight) can improve insulin resistance and intrahepatic liver content.

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Eligibility

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Outcomes