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Diet Quality, Lifestyle and Liver Health

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutrition and Metabolism".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 March 2024) | Viewed by 11485

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
1. Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health and Education, Harokopio University of Athens, 17676 Athens, Greece
2. Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Physical Education, Sports and Dietetics, University of Thessaly, 42132 Trikala, Greece
Interests: diet; nutrition; lifestyle; genetics; nutrigenetics; obesity; diabetes; metabolic syndrome; hypertension
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Chronic liver diseases (CLDs), represented mainly by non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), viral hepatitis and alcoholic liver disease, represent a real and current global threat. It is estimated that there are more than 1.5 billion CLDs cases worldwide, including any stage of disease severity.

Dietary habits and overall lifestyle exhibit a pivotal role in CLD pathogenesis and constitute key components of CLD onset, progression and management. Within this context, it is essential to address the progress and current understanding on the role of diet and lifestyle in CLDs and their treatment. For this Special Issue, I am inviting authors to submit original research and review articles on a wide spectrum of topics related to diet, lifestyle and liver health, including aspects of personalised dietary treatment and lifestyle (i.e. nutrigenetics/nutrigenomics, epigenetics and gut microbiome), as well as any liver-related complication.

Dr. Ioanna Panagiota Kalafati
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • liver
  • diet
  • lifestyle
  • personalised
  • nutrigenetics
  • nutrigenomics
  • microbiome

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 3374 KiB  
Article
Circulatory Metabolite Ratios as Indicators of Lifestyle Risk Factors Based on a Greek NAFLD Case–Control Study
by Charalambos Fotakis, Athina I. Amanatidou, Maria Kafyra, Vasiliki Andreou, Ioanna Panagiota Kalafati, Maria Zervou and George V. Dedoussis
Nutrients 2024, 16(8), 1235; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16081235 - 21 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1366
Abstract
An ensemble of confounding factors, such as an unhealthy diet, obesity, physical inactivity, and smoking, have been linked to a lifestyle that increases one’s susceptibility to chronic diseases and early mortality. The circulatory metabolome may provide a rational means of pinpointing the advent [...] Read more.
An ensemble of confounding factors, such as an unhealthy diet, obesity, physical inactivity, and smoking, have been linked to a lifestyle that increases one’s susceptibility to chronic diseases and early mortality. The circulatory metabolome may provide a rational means of pinpointing the advent of metabolite variations that reflect an adherence to a lifestyle and are associated with the occurrence of chronic diseases. Data related to four major modifiable lifestyle factors, including adherence to the Mediterranean diet (estimated on MedDietScore), body mass index (BMI), smoking, and physical activity level (PAL), were used to create the lifestyle risk score (LS). The LS was further categorized into four groups, where a higher score group indicates a less healthy lifestyle. Drawing on this, we analyzed 223 NMR serum spectra, 89 MASLD patients and 134 controls; these were coupled to chemometrics to identify “key” features and understand the biological processes involved in specific lifestyles. The unsupervised analysis verified that lifestyle was the factor influencing the samples’ differentiation, while the supervised analysis highlighted metabolic signatures. Τhe metabolic ratios of alanine/formic acid and leucine/formic acid, with AUROC > 0.8, may constitute discriminant indexes of lifestyle. On these grounds, this research contributed to understanding the impact of lifestyle on the circulatory metabolome and highlighted “prudent lifestyle” biomarkers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet Quality, Lifestyle and Liver Health)
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15 pages, 1285 KiB  
Article
Unraveling the Connection between Fatty Liver Severity with Gender, Lifestyle, and Health Risks among Workers
by Feng-Cheng Tang, Ren-Hau Li and Jui-Hua Huang
Nutrients 2023, 15(22), 4765; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15224765 - 13 Nov 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1559
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between the severity of fatty liver and factors such as gender, lifestyle, and the risks of metabolic abnormalities, inflammation, and liver dysfunction in the working population. This cross-sectional study included 2936 workers aged [...] Read more.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between the severity of fatty liver and factors such as gender, lifestyle, and the risks of metabolic abnormalities, inflammation, and liver dysfunction in the working population. This cross-sectional study included 2936 workers aged 21–64 years. The severity of fatty liver was assessed using ultrasound. A self-administered survey was used to evaluate lifestyle habits. Data on anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, blood tests, and biochemical evaluations was collected. The 45.5% of workers had fatty liver. Males had a higher prevalence of fatty liver and health risks and several unhealthy lifestyle habits compared to females. The health behavior score related to exercise showed notable declines as the severity of fatty liver increased (p < 0.001). Percentages of current alcohol drinkers differed among different levels of fatty liver, with rates of 43.1, 48.4, 44.8, and 63.4% (p = 0.005) observed in the absence, mild, moderate, and severe fatty liver, respectively. Workers with fatty liver showed increased risks related to metabolic anomalies, especially in severe cases. The risk of inflammation and liver dysfunction also significantly increased with elevated fatty liver severity. Overall, fatty liver presents significant health risks, with nearly half of the workers diagnosed with the condition. To improve liver health, it is crucial to have customized strategies for promoting health, taking into account the different levels of severity in fatty liver. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet Quality, Lifestyle and Liver Health)
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16 pages, 7559 KiB  
Article
Short-Term Caloric Restriction and Subsequent Re-Feeding Compromise Liver Health and Associated Lipid Mediator Signaling in Aged Mice
by Patrick Schädel, Mareike Wichmann-Costaganna, Anna Czapka, Nadja Gebert, Alessandro Ori and Oliver Werz
Nutrients 2023, 15(16), 3660; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15163660 - 21 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2071
Abstract
Aging is characterized by alterations in the inflammatory microenvironment, which is tightly regulated by a complex network of inflammatory mediators. Excessive calorie consumption contributes to age- and lifestyle-associated diseases like obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and cancer, while limited nutrient availability may [...] Read more.
Aging is characterized by alterations in the inflammatory microenvironment, which is tightly regulated by a complex network of inflammatory mediators. Excessive calorie consumption contributes to age- and lifestyle-associated diseases like obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and cancer, while limited nutrient availability may lead to systemic health-promoting adaptations. Geroprotective effects of short-term caloric restriction (CR) can beneficially regulate innate immune receptors and interferon signaling in the liver of aged mice, but how CR impacts the hepatic release of immunomodulatory mediators like cytokines and lipid mediators (LM) is elusive. Here, we investigated the impact of aging on the inflammatory microenvironment in the liver and its linkage to calorie consumption. The livers of female young and aged C57BL/6JRj mice, as well as of aged mice after caloric restriction (CR) up to 28 days, with and without subsequent re-feeding (2 days), were evaluated. Surprisingly, despite differences in the hepatic proteome of young and old mice, aging did not promote a pro-inflammatory environment in the liver, but it reduced lipoxygenase-mediated formation of LM from polyunsaturated fatty acids without affecting the expression of the involved lipoxygenases and related oxygenases. Moreover, CR failed to ameliorate the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines but shifted the LM production to the formation of monohydroxylated LM with inflammation-resolving features. Unexpectedly, re-feeding after CR even further decreased the inflammatory response as LM species were markedly downregulated. Our findings raise the question of how short-term CR is indeed beneficial as a nutritional intervention for healthy elderly subjects and further stress the necessity to address tissue-specific inflammatory states. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet Quality, Lifestyle and Liver Health)
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13 pages, 1189 KiB  
Article
Gender Differences in the Risk for Incident Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease According to the Transition of Abdominal Obesity Status: A 16-Year Cohort Study
by Jun-Hyuk Lee, Soyoung Jeon, Hye Sun Lee and Yu-Jin Kwon
Nutrients 2023, 15(13), 2880; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15132880 - 25 Jun 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1347
Abstract
Waist circumference (WC) is an important predictor of long-term adverse outcomes. We aimed at assessing the correlation between abdominal obesity (AO) patterns and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Data from 4467 adults aged 40–69 years and without NAFLD who participated in the Korean [...] Read more.
Waist circumference (WC) is an important predictor of long-term adverse outcomes. We aimed at assessing the correlation between abdominal obesity (AO) patterns and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Data from 4467 adults aged 40–69 years and without NAFLD who participated in the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study were analyzed. Participants were classified according to two-year WC pattern into four groups: persistent lean WC, improved AO, progressed to AO, and persistent AO. NAFLD was defined as NAFLD–liver fat score >−0.640. Multiple Cox proportional hazards regression analysis revealed that the fully adjusted hazard ratio (HR) (95% confidence intervals (CIs)) for NAFLD in persistent AO, progressed to AO, and improved AO groups compared to the persistent lean WC group was 1.33 (1.13–1.57), 1.73 (1.48–2.02), and 1.06 (0.84–1.33), respectively. Women in persistent AO or progressed to AO groups had significantly higher risk for NAFLD than those in persistent lean WC or improved AO groups. Men who had progressed to an AO event over two years had significantly higher risk for NAFLD than those without any AO event over two years. Maintaining lean WC and improving AO would be successful strategies for preventing NAFLD in women, while maintaining lean WC would be more effective in men. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet Quality, Lifestyle and Liver Health)
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Review

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13 pages, 795 KiB  
Review
The Evolution in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Patients’ Profile and the Associated Sustainable Challenges: A Multidisciplinary Perspective
by Maridi Aerts, Zenzi Rosseel and Elisabeth De Waele
Nutrients 2024, 16(11), 1584; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16111584 - 23 May 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1351
Abstract
The prevalence and incidence of NAFLD is rising due to the obesity pandemic, caused by the widespread availability of ultra-processed foods and the decrease of physical activity. Factors such as socioeconomic status (SES), ethnicity and geographical location are associated with NAFLD, with lower [...] Read more.
The prevalence and incidence of NAFLD is rising due to the obesity pandemic, caused by the widespread availability of ultra-processed foods and the decrease of physical activity. Factors such as socioeconomic status (SES), ethnicity and geographical location are associated with NAFLD, with lower SES correlating with higher incidence, particularly in regions like America or Europe. Beside the quality of food, the quantity also plays a crucial role. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a Mediterranean diet with a balanced energy intake. Since no hard medical treatment is available for NAFLD, lifestyle adjustments are key. Patient empowerment by providing relevant information and co-ownership of the therapy will increase the implementation rate and enhance the quality of medical follow-up and medication adherence, as studies report a good adherence to medication among patients who are well-aware of the severity of their disease. Regarding sustainability, patients with NAFLD have a high load of ambulatory follow-up, which, since the COVID-19 pandemic, can be partially provided by teleconsulting. Both patients’ lifestyle modifications and healthcare practitioners’ therapeutical strategy can decrease the carbon footprint. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet Quality, Lifestyle and Liver Health)
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Other

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18 pages, 2229 KiB  
Systematic Review
Nutritional Intake after Liver Transplant: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Lynsey N. Spillman, Angela M. Madden, Holly Richardson, Fumiaki Imamura, Danielle Jones, Marilyn Nash, Hong Kai Lim, Holly N. Hellawell, Kirsten L. Rennie, Linda M. Oude Griep, Michael Allison and Simon J. Griffin
Nutrients 2023, 15(11), 2487; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15112487 - 26 May 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3029
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease and its concurrent risk factors are prevalent after liver transplant (LT). Most of these risk factors are modifiable by diet. We aimed to synthesise the literature reporting the nutritional intake of liver transplant recipients (LTR) and the potential determinants of intake. [...] Read more.
Cardiovascular disease and its concurrent risk factors are prevalent after liver transplant (LT). Most of these risk factors are modifiable by diet. We aimed to synthesise the literature reporting the nutritional intake of liver transplant recipients (LTR) and the potential determinants of intake. We performed a systematic review and meta-analyses of studies published up until July 2021 reporting the nutritional intake of LTR. The pooled daily mean intakes were recorded as 1998 (95% CI 1889, 2108) kcal, 17 (17, 18)% energy from protein, 49 (48, 51)% energy from carbohydrates, 34 (33, 35)% energy from total fat, 10 (7, 13)% energy from saturated fat, and 20 (18, 21) g of fibre. The average fruit and vegetable intake ranged from 105 to 418 g/day. The length of time post-LT and the age and sex of the cohorts, as well as the continent and year of publication of each study, were sources of heterogeneity. Nine studies investigated the potential determinants of intake, time post-LT, gender and immunosuppression medication, with inconclusive results. Energy and protein requirements were not met in the first month post-transplant. After this point, energy intake was significantly higher and remained stable over time, with a high fat intake and low intake of fibre, fruits and vegetables. This suggests that LTR consume a high-energy, low-quality diet in the long term and do not adhere to the dietary guidelines for cardiovascular disease prevention. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet Quality, Lifestyle and Liver Health)
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