Lifestyle and Dietary Interventions in the Management of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the role of antioxidants, specifically vitamin E, in improving NAFLD activity scores in non-diabetic patients with biopsy-proven NASH.
Results Summary
The study found that dietary supplementation with vitamin E improved NAFLD activity scores in non-diabetic patients with NASH, but the role of other antioxidants in treating NAFLD remains limited.
Population
Non-diabetic patients with biopsy-proven NASH.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weight loss of 3-5 % | decrease | hepatic steatosis | - | - | has been associated with a reduction | #1 |
Weight loss of ≥5-7 % | decrease | NASH | - | - | has correlated with resolution | #2 |
Greater reductions in weight loss (≥10 %) | decrease | hepatic fibrosis | - | - | may improve | #3 |
Physical activity | decrease | hepatic steatosis | - | - | can improve | #4 |
Physical activity | improve | metabolic indices | - | - | can improve | #5 |
Diet coupled with exercise | decrease | weight loss | - | significant | can produce significant weight loss | #6 |
Diet coupled with exercise | improve | histologic components of the NAFLD activity score | - | - | may improve | #7 |
Dietary supplementation with vitamin E | improve | NAFLD activity score | non-diabetics with biopsy-proven NASH | - | has been shown to improve | #8 |
NAFLD is the leading cause of chronic liver disease in the Western world with an estimated prevalence of 20-30 %. Lifestyle interventions targeted at weight loss through dietary interventions and exercise are the most effective treatment, but only a minority of patients are able to achieve and sustain the necessary intervention targets. Weight loss of 3-5 % has been associated with a reduction of hepatic steatosis while weight loss of ≥5-7 % has correlated with resolution of NASH in some studies. Greater reductions in weight loss (≥10 %) may improve hepatic fibrosis. In the absence of weight loss, no specific diet has demonstrated superiority. Physical activity can improve hepatic steatosis and metabolic indices even without weight loss. Diet coupled with exercise can produce significant weight loss and may improve histologic components of the NAFLD activity score. While formal guidelines for diet and exercise in NAFLD are lacking, adherence to diet and exercise recommendations similar to those from the American Diabetes Association for diabetic care seems reasonable. Dietary supplementation with vitamin E in non-diabetics with biopsy-proven NASH has been shown to improve NAFLD activity score. The role for other macronutrients, micronutrients, antioxidants, and probiotics in the treatment of NAFLD remains limited.