Relationship between dietary macronutrient composition and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in lean and non-lean populations: a cross-sectional study

Objective: The current study aimed to customize dietary changes for lean patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Design: The current study was done with a population-based cross-sectional design. The FFQ was used to analyse dietary macronutrient intake and ultrasonography results for NAFLD diagnosis. The study subjects were divided into the lean and non-lean groups based on their BMI (< 25 and >= 25). Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the relationship between dietary macronutrients and NAFLD. Substitution analyses were also performed. Setting: Amol and its suburban areas in Iran. Participants: Adults in the age range of 18 to < 65 with full relevant data. Results: Among the total study subjects (2308), 46 center dot 7 % had fatty liver. The substitution of polysaccharides for animal protein and SFA in the lean group resulted in a significant NAFLD reduction, whereas the substitution of SFA for all types of macronutrients, except for n-6 and mono-disaccharides, led to a significant increase in NAFLD (P < 0 center dot 05). In non-lean participants, the substitution of MUFA for mono-disaccharides resulted in a significant reduction of NAFLD (P < 0 center dot 05). In this group, the substitution of SFA and mono-disaccharides for MUFA, and n-6 for all macronutrients, except vegetable protein and SFA, were significantly related to an increase in NAFLD (P < 0 center dot 05). Conclusions: Lower lean NAFLD is correlated with increasing polysaccharides in exchange for SFA and animal protein intake, whereas lower non-lean NAFLD is correlated with increasing MUFA in exchange for mono-disaccharides and reducing n-6 and SFA.