An article published in Expert Review of Gastroenterology & Hepatology discussed that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease worldwide. The authors reported that insulin resistance and obesity-related inflammatory status, associated with genetic, dietary and lifestyle factors are involved in its pathogenesis. However, there is no consensus concerning the pharmacological treatment of NAFLD. The international guidelines support and define a dietetic nutritional management to achieve weight loss as an essential component of any therapeutic strategy.

This article reported on the beneficial effects of the Mediterranean diet in the prevention and treatment of NAFLD. It was stated that over the recent years, a growing body of evidence has supported the concept of Mediterranean diet in congruence with physical activity and cognitive behavior therapy as the reference nutritional profile for the prevention and the treatment in NAFLD patients.

Source: Abenavoli L, Di Renzo L, Boccuto L, Alwardat N, Gratteri S, De Lorenzo A. Health benefits of Mediterranean diet in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Expert Review of Gastroenterology & Hepatology. 2018;12(9):873-81.