MEDITERRANEAN-STYLE DIET FOR NONALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE. LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Introduction. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common disease associated with metabolic syndrome and characterised by fat accumulation in hepatocytes. The prevalence of NAFLD in adults is estimated to be 25%–30% in the general population. This review aimed to investigate the effect of the Mediterranean diet on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and its metabolic complications. Search Strategy: English-written articles in peer-reviewed journals were identified by searching PubMed from 2017 to 2024. The search strategy combined words from the following concepts: Mediterranean diet, metabolic syndrome, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, lipid profile, and liver function. Inclusion criteria: Evidence level A, B publications: meta-analyses, systematic reviews, cohort and cross-sectional studies. Exclusion criteria: expert opinion in the form of short communications, promotional articles. The results show that the Mediterranean diet has a positive effect on the lipid profile, helps in the regression of liver fibrosis and inflammation, and improves metabolic parameters such as insulin resistance. Moreover, the reported beneficial effects (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory) of Mediterranean-style diets provide high levels of phytochemicals, including dietary polyphenols. Conclusions. The Mediterranean diet should be recommended for patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. In case of updating the Kazakhstani clinical protocol for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The Mediterranean diet should be involved as a Public Health measure.