Nutritional Intake and the Risk for Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

Abstract

"General over-nutrition but also alterations of the dietary pattern (e.g., towards a higher intake of fat, cholesterol, and sugar—and herein especially fructose) are discussed as being critical in the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, it has also been suggested that a general reduction of caloric intake and/or modulation of dietary composition, be it in regards to fat or sugar intake, may have beneficial effects on liver status in settings of NAFLD. Furthermore, in more recent years the intake of pre- and probiotics but also specific micronutrients or secondary plant compounds also discussed a means in the prevention and therapy of this disease. Despite intense research efforts during the last decades, our understanding of the interaction of nutritional intake and the development but also prevention and cure of NAFLD is still limited.

Providing a better understanding of the effects of diet and herein especially of specific macro- and micronutrients as well as pre- and probiotics and secondary plant compounds in the context of the development of NAFLD and its progression could lead to novel prevention and therapeutic strategies for this metabolic liver disease. This Special Issue will thus include original research and scientific perspectives on the relationship between NAFLD and dietary constituents that may 1) be involved in the development of the disease and 2) prevent its onset and progression. Mechanistic insights defining the contribution of certain nutritional factors (e.g., macronutrients like fat and sugar but also micronutrients and secondary plant compounds as well as pre- and probiotics) to the occurrence and management of NAFLD will improve our understanding of the disease and eventually lead to the development of universally accepted prevention and therapeutic strategies."