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Review
. 2023 Mar 21:14:20420188231160394.
doi: 10.1177/20420188231160394. eCollection 2023.

Non-pharmacological management options for MAFLD: a practical guide

José Tadeu Stefano  1 , Sebastião Mauro Bezerra Duarte  1 , Renato Gama Ribeiro Leite Altikes  2 , Claudia P Oliveira  3   4
Affiliations
Review

Non-pharmacological management options for MAFLD: a practical guide

José Tadeu Stefano et al. Ther Adv Endocrinol Metab. .

Abstract

Lifestyle changes should be the main basis for any treatment for metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), aiming to increase energy expenditure, reduce energy intake and improve the quality of nutrients consumed. As it is a multifactorial disease, approaches such as physical exercise, a better dietary pattern, and possible pharmacological intervention are shown to be more efficient when used simultaneously to the detriment of their applications. The main treatment for MAFLD is a lifestyle change consisting of diet, activity, exercise, and weight loss. The variables for training prescription such as type of physical exercise (aerobic or strength training), the weekly frequency, and the intensity most indicated for the treatment of MAFLD remain uncertain, that is, the recommendations must be adapted to the clinical conditions comorbidities, and preferences of each subject in a way individual. This review addresses recent management options for MAFLD including diet, nutrients, gut microbiota, and physical exercise.

Keywords: dietary pattern; lifestyle changes; metabolic dysfunction–associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD); nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); physical exercise.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Genetic predisposition and environmental factors such as a diet rich in fats and simple sugars, mainly fructose, lead to weight gain, and the development of T2DM, important risk factors for MAFLD. Lifestyle changes including healthy eating and physical activity decrease weight and body fat mass which consequently improves MAFLD.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
The differences in microbiota composition between lean and obese patients with MAFLD.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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