Beyond medication: Unveiling the role of diet and lifestyle in fatty liver disease management

Background

Fatty liver disease (FLD), also known as hepatic steatosis, is characterized by the accumulation of fat in the liver, which can lead to inflammation, scarring, and severe liver damage. The global prevalence of FLD is increasing, exacerbated by factors such as obesity, diabetes, and poor lifestyle choices.

Aims

This review aims to explore the role of dietary and lifestyle modifications in the prevention and management of FLD. It provides evidence-based recommendations to help mitigate the progression of the disease through non-pharmacological interventions.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was done using various reliable online databases (PubMed Central, Research Gate, National Center for Biotechnology Information, Google scholar, Science Direct, National Institute of Health and related databases). Full length research or review articles in English or bilingual were selected based on fatty liver disease while unpublished or irrelevant articles were excluded. The collected data were analyzed to identify effective dietary and lifestyle practices for managing FLD.

Results

The findings indicate that dietary modifications, including reduced intake of saturated and trans fats, sugars, and alcohol, alongside increased consumption of healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, and lean proteins, can significantly alleviate FLD symptoms. Regular physical activity also plays a critical role in managing the disease.

Conclusion

Strategic dietary interventions include vitamin D, Vitamin E, low carbohydrates, high protein (varying results found in literature), low saturated fat but mono and poly unsaturated fatty acids, fish meat, nuts, herbs (green tea and lemon grass) and bioactive rich food commodities are impactful. Nonetheless, adopting a healthier lifestyle i.e., by avoiding smoking and a sedentary lifestyle, managing co-morbid disorders, and abstaining from skipping meals are recommended for better management and prevention of FLD. However, analysis of factors causing FLD demands more elaborative, customized, and rigorous interdisciplinary research to vividly elucidate the effect of specific dietary components on treatment of FLD.