Relationship between dietary macronutrient composition and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in lean and non-lean populations: a cross-sectional study

Objective: The current study aimed to customize dietary changes for lean patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Design: The current study was done with a population-based cross-sectional design. The FFQ was used to analyse dietary macronutrient intake and ultrasonography results for NAFLD diagnosis. The study subjects were divided into the lean and non-lean groups based on their BMI (< 25 and >= 25). Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the relationship between dietary macronutrients and NAFLD. Substitution analyses were also performed. Setting: Amol and its suburban areas in Iran. Participants: Adults in the age range of 18 to < 65 with full relevant data. Results: Among the total study subjects (2308), 46 center dot 7 % had fatty liver. The substitution of polysaccharides for animal protein and SFA in the lean group resulted in a significant NAFLD reduction, whereas the substitution of SFA for all types of macronutrients, except for n-6 and mono-disaccharides, led to a significant increase in NAFLD (P < 0 center dot 05). In non-lean participants, the substitution of MUFA for mono-disaccharides resulted in a significant reduction of NAFLD (P < 0 center dot 05). In this group, the substitution of SFA and mono-disaccharides for MUFA, and n-6 for all macronutrients, except vegetable protein and SFA, were significantly related to an increase in NAFLD (P < 0 center dot 05). Conclusions: Lower lean NAFLD is correlated with increasing polysaccharides in exchange for SFA and animal protein intake, whereas lower non-lean NAFLD is correlated with increasing MUFA in exchange for mono-disaccharides and reducing n-6 and SFA.

Automated summary

The study revealed that substituting polysaccharides for animal protein and SFA can significantly reduce NAFLD risk in lean individuals, while the substitution of SFA can reduce the risk in non-lean participants.