Association Between Live Microbe Intake and NAFLD: Evidence From NHANES 2003-2018

Objective This study aimed to shed light on the potential relationship between live microbe intake and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).Method By using a cross-sectional study design, the researchers were able to investigate the possible causal association between the two variables in a rigorous and systematic manner.Results Our study investigated the correlation between the intake of live microbe-containing foods and NAFLD in a representative sample of adults. The study found that the intake of live microbe-containing foods was associated with lower blood pressure, plasma glucose, NAFLD, body mass index, glycated hemoglobin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, as well as higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (p < 0.05). In univariate logistic regression, high dietary live microbe intake was associated with lower NAFLD prevalence than low intake (OR = 0.830; 95% CI, 0.759 to 0.908; p < 0.001). After adjusting for multiple variables, the same conclusion was supported (p < 0.05). In subgroup analyses, there was a significant difference in the race and smoking groups, with p for interaction of 0.01 and 0.02, respectively. This study's findings serve to augment the existing body of evidence linking live microbes with favorable health outcomes.Conclusions Our study revealed a robust correlation between dietary intake of live microbes and the prevalence of NAFLD in a cross-sectional analysis. Our findings offer a novel perspective on NAFLD research, highlighting the potential of targeted modulation of specific bacterial taxa, including the promotion of beneficial bacteria and suppression of harmful ones, as a promising strategy for preventing and treating NAFLD.