Issue 16, 2024

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials: effects of mediterranean diet and low-fat diet on liver enzymes and liver fat content of NAFLD

Abstract

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as a leading cause of several chronic diseases, imposing a significant global economic burden. The Mediterranean diet (MD) and low-fat diet (LFD) are the two primary recommended dietary patterns that exhibit distinct positive effects on treating NAFLD. Objective: To investigate which of the two diets, MD and LFD, is more effective in the treatment of NAFLD. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) up to April 2024 were searched for in PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, Scopus and Embase. Interventions included MD or LFD, with primary outcome measures being intrahepatic lipid, liver stiffness, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance. Secondary outcomes included weight, waist circumference, and body mass index. Use of random effects meta-analysis to assess outcomes of interest. Results: meta-analysis revealed no significant differences between MD and LFD in improving liver enzymes, liver fat, and related indices in NAFLD patients. Our findings provide compelling evidence for patients and healthcare professionals, allowing patients to choose a dietary pattern that aligns with their preferences and disease conditions. In summary, both MD and LFD can equivalently ameliorate NAFLD in the short term. Conclusions: Our results show that MD and LFD have similar therapeutic effects on liver enzymes and liver fat content in patients with NAFLD in the short term. Furthermore, our meta-analysis results have also opened up a new avenue of thought as to whether similar effects are achieved by alternating MD and LFD on alternate days.

Graphical abstract: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials: effects of mediterranean diet and low-fat diet on liver enzymes and liver fat content of NAFLD

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
28 Mar 2024
Accepted
23 Jul 2024
First published
24 Jul 2024

Food Funct., 2024,15, 8248-8257

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials: effects of mediterranean diet and low-fat diet on liver enzymes and liver fat content of NAFLD

Y. Xiong, X. Shi, X. Xiong, S. Li, H. Zhao, H. Song, J. Wang, L. Zhang, S. You, G. Ji, B. Liu and N. Wu, Food Funct., 2024, 15, 8248 DOI: 10.1039/D4FO01461H

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements