Estudios científicos
Influence of lifestyle factors and staple foods from the Mediterranean diet on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease among older individuals with metabolic syndrome features
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE:
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver morbidity. This condition often is accompanied by obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome (MetS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the connection between lifestyle factors and NAFLD in individuals with MetS.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study with 328 participants (55-75 y of age) diagnosed with MetS participating in the PREDIMED-Plus trial was conducted. NAFLD status was evaluated using the non-invasive hepatic steatosis index (HSI). Sociodemographic, clinical, and dietary data were collected. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet (mainly assessed by the consumption of olive oil, nuts, legumes, whole grain foods, fish, vegetables, fruits, and red wine) and physical activity were assessed using validated questionnaires.
RESULTS:
Linear regression analyses revealed that HSI values tended to be lower with increasing physical activity tertiles (T2, β = -1.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], -2.73 to -0.20; T3, β = -1.93; 95% CI, -3.22 to -0.65 versus T1, Ptrend = 0.001) and adherence to the Mediterranean diet was inversely associated with HSI values: (moderate adherence β = -0.70; 95% CI, -1.92 to 0.53; high adherence β = -1.57; 95% CI, -3.01 to -0.13 versus lower, Ptrend = 0.041). Higher tertiles of legume consumption were inversely associated with the highest tertile of HSI (T2, relative risk ratio [RRR], 0.45; 95% CI, 0.22-0.92; P = 0.028; T3, RRR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.24-0.97; P = 0.041 versus T1).
CONCLUSION:
Physical activity, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and consumption of legumes were inversely associated with a non-invasive marker of NAFLD in individuals with MetS. This data can be useful in implementing precision strategies aimed at the prevention, monitoring, and management of NAFLD.
Comentarios divulgativos:
Una de las principales causas de enfermedad hepática crónica es el hígado graso no alcohólico, que es más prevalente en personas con obesidad, diabetes y/o síndrome metabólico. En este estudio los investigadores analizan la relación entre el estilo de vida y el riesgo de hígado graso no alcohólico en adultos con síndrome metabólico.
Para ello los investigadores calcularon el índice de esteatosis hepática no invasiva, (HSI) que se utiliza en el cribado de hígado graso no alcohólico, a 328 participantes del estudio Predimed-Plus (55-75 años) y se analizó su correlación con el nivel de actividad física y con la adherencia a la Dieta Mediterránea, caracterizada por el consumo de aceite de oliva virgen extra, frutos secos, legumbres, cereales integrales, pescado, frutas y verduras y un consumo bajo-moderado de vino tinto.
Los resultados mostraron que había una asociación inversa entre el nivel de actividad física o la adherencia a la Dieta Mediterránea y el resultado del HSI, es decir, un mayor nivel de actividad física y el patrón dietético mediterráneo, se asociaban con un menor riesgo de hígado graso no alcohólico. Un consumo más elevado de legumbres se relacionaba inversamente con el HSI.
Este estudio sugiere que un estilo de vida activo, junto con Dieta Mediterránea, puede reducir el riesgo de desarrollar hígado graso no alcohólico, en pacientes mayores con síndrome metabólico. Estos resultados deberán ser corroborados en futuros ensayos clínicos.
