Adverse impact of egg consumption on fatty liver is partially explained by cardiometabolic risk factors: A population-based study

Background and aims: We evaluated the association of egg consumption with liver tests (LTs) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This relationship is poorly documented. Methods: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2005-2010) database was used. Analysis of covariance, adjusted linear and logistic regression models were used. Results: Of the 14,369 participants, 46.8% were men and 45.2% had NAFLD. After correction for several variables including: age, gender, race, education, poverty to income ratio, alcohol intake, energy intake, smoking, and physical activity - fatty liver index (FLI), serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were 36.9, 25.8 (U/L) and 23.9 (U/L), respectively, in the first tertile (T1) reaching 68.7, 34.9 and 36.5, respectively, in the third tertile (T3) (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). In the model with same covariates, there was significant positive linear relationship between FLI (standard beta coefficient (beta): 0.196), AST (beta: 0.099) and ALT (beta: 0.112) with egg consumption and participants in the highest tertile (T3) of egg consumption had 11% higher chance of NAFLD compared with T1 (odds ratio: 1.11 and 95% confidence interval: 1.07-1.17). Of note, after more correction for triglycerides, hypertension and diabetes, the significant link between egg consumption and LTs and/or NAFLD attenuated and disappeared. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the adverse role of egg consumption on LTs and likelihood of NAFLD. These associations seem to be attributable to cardio-metabolic risk factors. These findings require confirmation to improve our understanding of the role of egg consumption in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. (C) 2020 Published by Elsevier Ltd.