Are dairy products the answer to metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease?

Excerpt

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, is currently the most common chronic liver disease and a leading cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide [1]. MAFLD is strongly associated with obesity, diabetes and the metabolic syndrome. Not surprisingly, lifestyle intervention in terms of diet and physical activity has been shown to reduce hepatic steatosis. When weight reduction through lifestyle changes exceeds 5–10% of the baseline body weight, steatohepatitis and fibrosis can also improve. However, lifestyle intervention is difficult to maintain, with most people regaining weight to different extents after a period of weight reduction [2]. It is also culture specific. For example, the European guidelines recommend the Mediterranean diet as the preferred diet in patients with MAFLD. However, the Mediterranean diet may be inaccessible or too expensive in some countries. Moreover, it is important to remember that unlike other chronic liver diseases, the majority of patients with MAFLD are not seen by hepatologists but primary care physicians, endocrinologists and cardiologists [3]. Therefore, a simple but effective lifestyle message for patients with MAFLD, healthcare providers and the public is of vital importance. …