Previous studies have frequently reviewed how different macronutrients affect liver health. Still, no study centered around protein intake and the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) risk relationship. This study aimed to examine the association between the consumption of total and different sources of protein and NAFLD risk. We allocated 243 eligible subjects to the case and control groups, including 121 incidence cases of NAFLD, and 122 healthy controls. Two groups were matched in age, body mass index, and sex. We evaluated the usual food intake of participants using FFQ. Binary logistic regression was conducted to estimate the risk of NAFLD in relation to different sources of protein intake. The age of participants was 42.7 years on average, and 53.1% were male. We found Higher intake of protein in total (odds ratio [OR], 0.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.11–0.52) was significantly associated with a lower risk of NAFLD, despite adjusting for multiple confounders. in detail, higher tendency to the vegetables (OR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.13–0.59), grains (OR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.11–0.52), and nuts (OR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.12–0.52) as the main sources of protein, were remarkably correlated with lower NAFLD risk. In contrary, increased intake of meat protein (OR, 3.15; 95% CI, 1.46–6.81) was positively associated with a higher risk. Totally, more calorie intake from proteins was inversely associated with lower NAFLD risk. This was more likely when the protein sources were selected less from meats and more from plants. Accordingly, increasing the consumption of proteins, particularly from plants, may be a good recommendation to manage and prevent NAFLD.
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To investigate adipokines (vaspin, omentin-1, adiponectin and leptin) and their correlation with hepatosteatosis degree in obese/overweight (O/O) children. We analyzed adipokine levels of 81 children (49 O/O, [body mass index (BMI) > 95th] and 32 non-obese (BMI = 5-85th) admitted to the pediatric outpatient clinic. Serum triglyceride, glucose, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), insulin, HbA1c levels and leptin, omentin-1, vaspin, adiponectin levels were studied. O/O children with hepatosteatosis were divided into grades 1, 2 and 3 according to the degree of hepatosteatosis determined by ultrasonography. While AST (p = 0.001), triglyceride (p = 0.006), BMI percentile (p = 0.000), HOMA index (p = 0.002), systolic blood pressure (p = 0.02), leptin (p = 0.001), omentin-1 (p = 0.001), adiponectin (p = 0.001) levels were higher, vaspin level was lower (p = 0.008) in the (O/O) group compared to the controls. There was a positive correlation between HDL and vaspin, and a negative correlation between HDL and omentin-1 in the O/O group. Also it was observed that as the degree of hepatosteotosis increased, leptin (p = 0.004), omentin-1 (p = 0.001) levels were increased. There was no significant change in vaspin level (p = 0.128). The high levels of omentin-1, leptin and adiponectin have an association with the development of hepatosteatosis in O/O children.
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Data on the association between dietary red meat intake and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are limited. We designed this case-control study to determine the association between red and processed meat consumption and risk of NAFLD in Iranian adults. A total of 999 eligible subjects, including 196 NAFLD patients and 803 non-NAFLD controls were recruited from hepatology clinics in Tehran, Iran. A reliable and validated food frequency questionnaire was used to evaluate the red and processed meat intakes. The analyzes performed showed that in an age- and gender-adjusted model, patients with the highest quartile of red meat intake had an approximately three-fold higher risk of NAFLD than those with the lowest quartile of intake (odds ratio [OR], 3.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.16–5.43; p value < 0.001). Moreover, patients in the highest quartile of processed meat intake had a 3.28 times higher risk of NAFLD, compared to the lowest quartile(OR, 3.28; 95% CI, 1.97–5.46; p value < 0.001).Both these associations remained significant by implementing additional adjustments for body mass index, energy intake, dietary factors, diabetes, smoking, and physical activity (OR, 3.65; 95% CI, 1.85–7.18; p value < 0.001 and OR, 3.25; 95% CI, 1.57–6.73; p value = 0.002, respectively).Our findings indicate that both red and processed meat intakes are related to the increased odds of NAFLD; however, prospective studies are needed to confirm these results.
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Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a significant public health problem globally and the most notable chronic liver disease in Asian countries. Various dietary supplements have been assessed as potential methods to alleviate the metabolic damages related to NAFLD, but the results of these works have been equivocal. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of probiotic yogurt fortified with vitamin D (Pro-YFD) on glycemic and anthropometric indices in patients with NAFLD. One hundred and four NAFLD patients of both sexes were randomly allocated to 2 groups: group A (Pro-YFD) and group B (unfortified yogurt). The intervention period was 3 months. Fasting blood samples were obtained for measuring fasting blood sugar (FBS) and insulin level. Food intake was measured using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Body composition was estimated by bio-impedance. Eighty-eight patients completed the study. The mean serum level of 25(OH)D3 was elevated significantly (p < 0.001), while insulin level decreased significantly (p < 0.003) in group A at the end of the study. FBS levels showed no significant differences between the groups at the end of the trial. Also, there were no significant changes in diet caloric intake, physical activity, or anthropometric indices in the 2 groups during the interventions. Pro-YFD in the diets of patients with NAFLD may attenuate insulin resistance and improve serum level of 25(OH)D3.
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The prevalence and progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is mediated via several factors correlating with hepatic necroinflammation (adipokines/cytokines). This study was performed to analyze the level of inflammatory markers according to the presence of NAFLD and to identify related nutritional factors. A total of 80 adults were classified into 2 groups (healthy and NAFLD), and their body composition, blood tests, and eating habits were evaluated. In addition, inflammatory markers (adiponectin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [CRP], and tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α]), nutrient intake status, and dietary quality were compared. The quality of diet was assessed according to the nutrient adequacy ratio and the mean adequacy ratio (MAR). The NAFLD group had a higher body mass index (p < 0.001) than the healthy group and also carried significantly higher CRP levels (p < 0.001) but lower adiponectin (p = 0.001). TNF-α levels increased significantly with fatty liver grade (p = 0.023). The NAFLD group showed significantly higher intake of energy, carbohydrates, iron, sodium, vitamin A and saturated fatty acids, but significantly lower intake of zinc and vitamin E than the healthy group. The MAR values were slightly higher in the NAFLD group but without any significant difference. The levels of adiponectin and vitamin E showed a significant inverse correlation (p < 0.05). Nutritional management of NAFLD patients is important, and the intake of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients such as zinc and vitamin E should be emphasized.
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Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease. Nuts are nutrient- and calorie-dense foods with several health-promoting compounds. In this case-control study, we investigated the association between nut intake and NAFLD risk. Hundred ninety-six subjects with NAFLD and eight hundred three controls were recruited. The participants' dietary intakes were assessed by a valid and reliable semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Participants were categorized according to deciles of daily nuts intake. Multivariable logistic regression models were used with NAFLD as the dependent and deciles of daily nuts intake as an independent variables. Range of age was 18 to 75 years. Forty three percent of participants were male. Range of nuts intake was between 0 to 90.90 g/day. In model 3, after adjusting for potential confounding variables including, age, sex, BMI, alcohol consumption, smoking, diabetes and physical activity, the relation between daily nuts intake and risk of NAFLD was positive and significant in the deciles 9 and 10 compared to the lowest decile (odds ratio [OR], 3.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04–7.49; p = 0.039 and OR, 3.03; 95% CI, 1.03–8.90; p = 0.046, respectively). However, in the final model after additional adjusting for energy intake, no significant association was found. According to the findings, there is not any significant relationship between nuts intake and NAFLD risk; while higher intake of nuts is related to the higher risk of NAFLD mediated by energy intake.
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The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a nutrition education program on overweight/obese patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This single-blind, parallel randomized controlled trial was conducted on 82 NAFLD patients (mean age 48.89 ± 9.85 years) in Isfahan, Iran. Patients were randomly allocated to receive nutrition education program combined with usual care or usual care alone for 2 months. Metabolic markers, including lipid profile, fasting blood glucose (FBG) and dietary intakes were obtained for each patient at baseline and at the end of the study. Nutrition education intervention resulted in a significant decrease compared with usual care in serum levels of total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) (p < 0.05). However, our intervention did not lead to a significant improvement in FBG, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), respectively (p > 0.05). Furthermore, energy and sugar intakes of patients were reduced significantly in response to our intervention (p < 0.05). Nutrition education intervention significantly reduced serum levels of TC and TG but did not affect other metabolic markers including FBG, LDL-C, and HDL-C. Also, it could reduce total energy and sugar intake. Thus, this study could be useful to use this educational program for NAFLD patients in order to influence their metabolic markers and dietary intakes.
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We developed nutrition education materials for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients focusing on low-carbohydrate and low-simple sugar diet and assessed subjective difficulty and compliance for the developed materials. The materials were developed in 2 types, a booklet for face-to-face education and a handout for phone education. The booklet covered 4 topic areas of fatty liver, low-carbohydrate and low-simple sugar diet, weight control, and meal plan. The handout material included several eating behavior tips. To assess practical usability of nutrition education using the developed materials, subjective compliance and difficulty levels were examined in a sample for NAFLD patients. A total of 106 patients recruited from 5 general hospitals were randomly assigned to a low-carbohydrate and low-simple sugar weight control diet group or a general weight control diet group. Each participant received a 6-week nutrition education program consisting of a face-to-face education session and two sessions of phone education. The developed materials were used for the low-carbohydrate and low-simple sugar weight control diet group and general weight control information materials were used for the control group. Subjective difficulty and compliance levels were evaluated three times during the education period. Subjective difficulty level was significantly higher in the low-carbohydrate and low-simple sugar diet group compared to the control group at the end of the second week, but such a discrepancy disappeared afterward. No significant difference was found for subjective compliance between the groups at each time. In conclusion, the developed nutrition education materials for low-carbohydrate and low-simple sugar diet are reasonably applicable to general Korean NAFLD patients.
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