Korean J Med.  2014 Apr;86(4):416-424.

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Lifestyle Modification

• Yoo KD
• Jun DW

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common form of chronic liver disease. The prevalence of NAFLD is growing gradually worldwide with increases in obesity, sedentary lifestyles, and an unbalanced diet. NAFLD ranges from simple steatosis without inflammation to steatohepatitis that can progress to cirrhosis. There is no single effective treatment that has widespread effects in NAFLD. The cornerstone of treatment is lifestyle modification, including weight reduction, diet, and physical activity. An approximately 7-10% weight reduction via diet or physical activity can improve the liver histopathology. Risk factors for NAFLD include a high-calorie diet, high-lipid diet, high-carbohydrate diet, saturated fatty acids, trans fatty acids, cholesterol, high fructose intake, and low-choline diet. Factors that protect against NAFLD include a low-calorie diet, low-carbohydrate diet, low-lipid diet, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), dietary fiber, coffee, green tea, and light alcohol consumption. Physical activity also helps to manage NAFLD with or without weight reduction. Recent reports found that resistance training is as effective as aerobic training. Lifestyle modification has very low compliance. To maintain a treatment program, a multidisciplinary team approach is required that includes physicians, dietitians, physical trainers, and psychologists.

Keyword

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; Lifestyle modification; Treatment

MeSH Terms

Alcohol Drinking
Caloric Restriction
Cholesterol
Coffee
Compliance
Diet
Dietary Fiber
Fatty Acids
Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated
Fatty Acids, Unsaturated
Fatty Liver*
Fibrosis
Fructose
Inflammation
Life Style*
Liver
Liver Diseases
Motor Activity
Nutritionists
Obesity
Prevalence
Psychology
Resistance Training
Risk Factors
Sedentary Lifestyle
Tea
Trans Fatty Acids
Weight Loss
Cholesterol
Coffee
Fatty Acids
Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated
Fatty Acids, Unsaturated
Fructose
Tea
Trans Fatty Acids