Nearly 30% of the worlds population has nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which over time can result in cirrhosis, or liver scarring, and cancer. There is no effective treatment or licensed drug for this widespread ailment, but studies have shown that patients quality of life, physical fitness, and liver fat can all be improved with exercise.

According to a recent study, liver fat can be reduced with 150 minutes of weekly aerobic exercise, which is the recommended amount.

Experts reviewed 14 research papers with a total of 551 NAFLD patients who took part in randomized, controlled trials and used exercise as an intervention. They evaluated the age, sex, body mass index, change in body weight, adherence to the exercise plan, and liver fat as determined by MRI and collected the data from all the studies.

The studys main objective was to investigate the relationship between exercise training and a clinically significant reduction in liver fat. In contrast to usual clinical care, the research team discovered exercise training was 3 1/2 times more likely to provide a clinically significant treatment response (greater than or equal to 30% relative reduction in MRI-measured liver fat), independent of weight loss.

In its secondary analysis the researchers identified the ideal "dose" of exercise which is optimum reductions in liver fat. Only 26% of patients who were given higher than or equal to 750 metabolic equivalents of task (for instance, 150 minutes per week of brisk walking) experienced a significant response to treatment compared to patients who were given lower amounts of exercise. The American Gastroenterological Association and the European Association for the Study of the Liver both prescribe the same level of physical activity. The American Journal of Gastroenterology reported the findings.

It was noted that when this level of activity was recommended, clinically significant drops in MRI-measured liver fat were attained at a rate comparable to that seen in early-phase Non-Alcoholic SteatoHepatitis (NASH) treatment trials looking at drugs that prevent the development of fat.

Results show that for people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, exercise reduces liver fat in a way that is clinically significant. Experts further stated that more better conducted, randomized trials, are required to confirm their findings and examine the effects of various exercise intensities side by side.

(Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/weekly-aerobic-exercise-of-150-minutes-decreases-liver-fat-study-101675926823322.html)