Intermittent Fasting in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Effects of Intermittent and Continuous Calorie Restriction on Body Weight and Metabolism in Adults With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Although preliminary evidence suggests that intermittent fasting mimic-diet (IFD) exerts stronger effects on body weight and metabolic parameters, which may link obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and major chronic diseases, compared with continuous calorie restriction (CCR), there is a lack of well-powered intervention studies. This randomized controlled trial will test whether IFD, operationalized as the "5:2 diet," has stronger effects on anthropometric and body composition characteristics, and circulating metabolic biomarkers than CCR and a control regimen in adults with NAFLD.

Inclusion Criteria:

• The diagnosed criteria of fatty liver by ultrasound were presence of two of the three following criteria: increased hepatic echogenicity compared with cortical of the right kidney, blurring of liver vasculature, and deep attenuation of the ultrasonographic signal.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Excessive alcohol consumption (ethanol > 140 g/wk for men and > 70 g/wk for women), cirrhosis, viral hepatitis, cardiovascular disease, cancer, any consumption of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids or prescriptive medicine that affect liver function, lipid and glucose metabolism.