Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2025

Author Spotlight: Establishing MASLD Cell Models for Investigating Disease Mechanisms and the Lipid-Lowering Effects of Koumiss
Published on: July 19, 2024
Which dietary patterns fend off nonalcoholic fatty liver disease? A systematic review of observational and
Farnush Bakhshimoghaddam1,2, Daniel Baez3, Neda Dolatkhah4
1Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Clinical Sciences Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
Background:
The global burden of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has significantly risen over the past decade. Dietary intake strongly influences its development and should be a component of any prevention and treatment plan strategy. Dietary pattern analysis enables the investigation of the overall diet and permits the consideration of interactions and cumulative effects of dietary components. The current study aimed to systematically review observational studies and intervention trials to determine the associations between various dietary patterns and NAFLD.
Methods:
The protocol was written according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. We included studies that reported a priori dietary pattern (i.e., diet quality scores) or a posteriori method, which identified existing eating patterns (i.e., principal component analysis) in adult participants. Two investigators conducted independent screening, extraction, and quality assessment using the Newcastle‒Ottawa or Jadad scale. A third reviewer resolved conflicts.
Results:
We identified 27 relevant observational and 16 interventional studies from 16 countries. A Mediterranean or DASH diet might prevent and improve NAFLD, whereas dietary patterns such as Western dietary patterns characterized by high consumption of sweets and animal foods such as red meat and fast food are positively associated with NAFLD. A low-carbohydrate diet effectively prevents and treats NAFLD; however, we need more research on the effects of a low-fat diet and the type of fats.
Conclusion:
Healthy dietary patterns, mainly plant-based or adjusted macronutrient distributions, such as the adoption of a low-carbohydrate diet, are linked to a reduced risk of NAFLD and could halt its progression. We proposed recommendations for future studies to fill the gap in knowledge regarding the management of NAFLD via dietary modifications.
More Related Videos
08:20Investigating the Protective Effects of Platycodin D on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in a Palmitic Acid-Induced In Vitro Model
Published on: December 2, 2022
08:35A Model of Experimental Steatosis In Vitro: Hepatocyte Cell Culture in Lipid Overload-Conditioned Medium
Published on: May 18, 2021
Related Concept Videos
Diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder
Cirrhosis is characterized by the scarring of hepatic lobules in the liver, which are replaced by fibrous tissue, affecting the liver's normal functioning. NAFLD, on the other hand, is caused by an excessive build-up of fat in the liver, not...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the...
Ultrasound II: Endoscopic Ultrasound and FibroScan
Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS):
Overview of Lipid Metabolism
Lipolysis: The Breakdown of Lipids:
Lipolysis is the process of breaking down lipids, particularly triglycerides, into glycerol and fatty acids. This process typically occurs in the adipose tissue and is triggered by various hormones, including glucagon and...
Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which occurs when the immune system becomes active and causes swelling, pain, and disruptions in organ function. Pancreatitis can manifest as either an acute or chronic condition.
Acute pancreatitis arises suddenly and lasts for a brief duration, while chronic pancreatitis is a long-term affliction...