Title:Effect of Intermittent Fasting on Lipid Profile, Anthropometric and
Hepatic Markers in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): A
Systematic Review
Volume: 22
Issue: 3
Author(s): María Fernanda Castillo*, Daniela Salgado-Canales, Marco Arrese, Francisco Barrera and Dimitri P Mikhailidis
Affiliation:
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, University of Chile, El Líbano 5524, Macul, Santiago, Chile
Keywords:
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, intermittent fasting, body weight, hepatic steatosis, alanine aminotransferase, fibrosis, lipids.
Abstract:
Background: The first-line treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is
lifestyle modification; this should accompany any pharmacological intervention. Intermittent fasting
(IF) has shown benefits over metabolic and cardiovascular parameters. Non-religious IF includes
Time-Restricted Feeding (TRF), Alternate-Day Fasting (ADF), and 5:2 IF interventions.
Objective: To evaluate the effects of IF on anthropometric, liver damage, and lipid profile markers in
subjects with NAFLD.
Methods: A bibliographic search was carried out according to the Preferred Reporting Items for
Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines using PubMed and Scopus databases.
Results: Five studies involving 470 patients with NAFLD were included. In relation to anthropometric
markers, all the articles reported body weight reduction (2.48-7.63%), but only ADF and 5:2 IF
reported a body weight reduction >5%; also, all the articles reported fat mass reduction. Concerning
hepatic markers, all the articles reported a reduction in hepatic steatosis and alanine aminotransferase
activity, but no changes in fat-free mass and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. There were
variable results on fibrosis, other liver enzymes, waist circumference and body mass index, as well as
the levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.
Conclusion: Any form of IF could be potentially beneficial for NAFLD treatment and some associated
cardiometabolic parameters. However, it is necessary to evaluate the effects and safety of IF in
long-term studies involving a higher number of participants with different stages of NAFLD. The
effect of IF on NAFLD-associated vascular risk also needs evaluation.
