An Exploration of the Treatment of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Based on Dietary Factors

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a clinical pathological syndrome characterized by diffuse hepatocellular macrovesicular steatosis caused by other liver-damaging factors except for alcohol. At present, there are no specific drugs for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in the Eastern world or the Western world, so dietary factors play an important role in the prevention and treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. In this review, we briefly discussed the roles and mechanisms of dietary components (including fructose, protein, and vitamins) in the progression or prevention of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Although patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease can benefit from weight loss, excessive reduction of food intake can exacerbate fat accumulation in hepatocytes. In addition, we discussed the Mediterranean dietary pattern and compared the effectiveness of low-fat and low-carbohydrate diets in preventing the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.