Prophylactic Effects of Nutrition, Dietary Strategies, Exercise, Lifestyle and Environment on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Overview

Journal Ann Med

Publisher Informa Healthcare

Specialty General Medicine

Date 2025 Feb 13

PMID 39943720

Authors

Xiangyong Hao

Hao Song

Xin Su

Jian Li

Youbao Ye

Cailiu Wang

Xiao Xu

Guanglong Pang

Wenxiu Liu

Zihan Li

Tian Luo

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease and its prevalence has risen sharply. However, whether nutrition, dietary strategies, exercise, lifestyle and environment have preventive value for NAFLD remains unclear.

Methods: Through searching 4 databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and the Cochrane Library) from inception to January 2025, we selected studies about nutrition, dietary strategies, exercise, lifestyle and environment in the prevention of NAFLD and conducted a narrative review on this topic.

Results: Reasonable nutrient intake encompassing macronutrients and micronutrients have an independent protective relationship with NAFLD. Besides, proper dietary strategies including mediterranean diet, intermittent fasting diet, ketogenic diet, and dietary approaches to stop hypertension diet have their inhibitory effects on the developmental process of NAFLD. Moreover, right exercises including walking, jogging, bicycling, and swimming are recommended for the prevention of NAFLD because they could effectively reduce weight, which is an important risk factor for NAFLD, and improve liver function. In addition, embracing a healthy lifestyle including reducing sedentary behavior, not smoking, sleeping well and brushing teeth regularly is integral since it not only could reduce the risk of NAFLD but also significantly contribute to overall prevention and control. Finally, the environment, including the social and natural environments, plays a potential role in NAFLD prevention.

Conclusion: Nutrition, dietary strategies, exercise, lifestyle and environment play an important role in the prevention of NAFLD. Moreover, this review offers comprehensive prevention recommendations for people at high risk of NAFLD.

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