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What Is the Optimal Dietary Composition for NAFLD?

  • Fatty Liver Disease (S Harrison and J George, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Hepatology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a complex condition with multi-organ considerations. Weight reduction effectively reduces steatosis in the short term; however, the effects of dietary composition in the absence of weight loss on hepatic and metabolic measures remain unclear. This review sought to update the evidence for whole of diet approaches and interventions in human studies of NAFLD.

Recent Findings

Assessing dietary composition in NAFLD is complex and requires consideration of food patterns across decades of life. Dietary composition aligned with mostly plant-based, high fibre, unprocessed foods, such as the Mediterranean Diet, can produce hepatic and metabolic benefits in NAFLD irrespective of weight loss. High fructose-sweetened beverages are associated with more severe steatosis, and short-term avoidance has demonstrated rapid improvements in liver health. Regular coffee drinking may have a protective effect against fibrosis in those with established NASH.

Summary

Changing focus from single nutrient to dietary patterns may offer greater translation capability to research findings. Investment in whole food dietary education approaches to engage lifelong health behaviours targeted at culturally appropriate healthy food and lifestyle choices are needed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rehabilitation, Nutrition and Sport, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia

    Elena S. George & Audrey C. Tierney

  2. Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Alfred Health, Prahran, Australia

    Elena S. George & Audrey C. Tierney

  3. Department of Clinical Therapies, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland

    Audrey C. Tierney

  4. Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Ground Floor, Building 15, Ipswich Road, Brisbane, Woolloongabba, Qld 4102, Australia

    Katrina L. Campbell & Ingrid J. Hickman

  5. Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia

    Katrina L. Campbell

  6. Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Australia

    Graeme A. Macdonald

  7. Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

    Graeme A. Macdonald & Ingrid J. Hickman

  8. Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia

    Graeme A. Macdonald

  9. Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Australia

    Ingrid J. Hickman

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  1. Elena S. George
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Correspondence to Ingrid J. Hickman.

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Elena S George, Audrey C Tierney, Katrina L Campbell, Graeme A Macdonald, and Ingrid J Hickman each declare no potential conflicts of interest.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Fatty Liver Disease

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George, E.S., Tierney, A.C., Campbell, K.L. et al. What Is the Optimal Dietary Composition for NAFLD?. Curr Hepatology Rep 16, 346–355 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11901-017-0373-7

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