Generally, hypercaloric diet, especially rich in trans/saturated fat and cholesterol,

and fructose-sweetened beverages seem to increase visceral adiposity and stimulate hepatic lipid accumulation and progression DZNeP clinical trial into non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, whereas reducing caloric intake, increasing soy protein and whey consumption, and supplement of monounsaturated fatty acids, omega-3 fatty acids, and probiotics have preventive and therapeutic effects. In addition, choline, fiber, coffee, green tea, and light alcohol drinking might be protective factors for NAFLD. Based on available data, at least 3–5% of weight loss, achieved by hypocaloric diet alone or in conjunction with exercise and behavioral modification, generally

reduces hepatic steatosis, and up to 10% weight loss may be needed to improve hepatic necroinflammation. A sustained selleck inhibitor adherence to diet rather than the actual diet type is a major predictor of successful weight loss. Moreover, a healthy diet has benefits beyond weight reduction on NAFLD patients whether obese or of normal weight. Therefore, nutrition serves as a major route of prevention and treatment of NAFLD, and patients with NAFLD should have an individualized diet recommendation. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an acquired metabolic stress-related liver disease sharing histological similarities to alcoholic liver disease in the absence of substantial alcohol consumption.[1, 2] The spectrum of NAFLD is from selleck compound simple steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and eventually cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.[1, 2] NAFLD is strongly associated with obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and metabolic syndrome.[1-3] With the rising incidence of obesity and metabolic syndrome in adults and children worldwide, NAFLD is developing into a new and major health problem.[1-3] Currently, NAFLD/NASH is the most common cause of liver disease worldwide and the third most common indication for liver

transplantation in North America.[1] The management of patients with NAFLD consists of treating steatohepatitis and the associated metabolic comorbidities.[1, 2] However, patient with simple steatosis is only needed to treat the associated conditions to prevent hepatic and metabolic complications.[1, 2] Based on available data, most patients with NAFLD have excessive body weight or recently, weight gain; obesity is a common and well-documented risk factor for metabolic syndrome and NAFLD.[1-3] Although promising pharmacological agents and bariatric surgery are emerging, gradually and maintaining weight loss by lifestyle intervention is safe and the most effective treatment for NAFLD and metabolic disorders.[1, 2, 4-9] On one hand, diet alone or in conjunction with increased physical activity and behavior modification is the important measure for successful weight loss.