Published online Jul 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i28.9338
Revised: February 24, 2014
Accepted: April 15, 2014
Published online: July 28, 2014
Processing time: 263 Days and 20.4 Hours
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become one of the most common causes of liver disease worldwide and has been recognized as a major health burden. The prevalence of NAFLD has grown proportionally with the rise in obesity, sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy dietary pattern, and metabolic syndrome. Currently, there is no drug therapy that can be formulated for treating NAFLD. A combination of dietary modifications and increased physical activity remains the mainstay of NAFLD management. It is hard to maintain this mode of management; however, it seems to have significant long-term benefits. Furthermore, NAFLD patients, whether obese or not, should be educated that a healthy diet and physical activity have benefits beyond weight reduction. Further large controlled randomized trials are needed in order to identify the best dietary regimen and physical activity in the management of NAFLD patients. This review highlights the role of diet and lifestyle modifications in the management of NAFLD, and focuses on human studies regarding dietary modifications and physical activity.
Core tip: To date there is no effective drug treatment for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). A combination of dietary modifications and increased physical activity remains the mainstay of NAFLD therapy. In order to prevent the hepatic, extra-hepatic, including metabolic complications of NAFLD, it is important to manage this condition early. Therefore, a plan should be carried out immediately when NAFLD is diagnosed combining diet and proper exercise activity. This review highlights the role of diet and lifestyle changes in the management of NAFLD, and focuses on human studies regarding dietary modifications and physical activity.