NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND LIVER FUNCTION INTERPLAY IN PATIENTS WITH NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE

Abstract

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) has emerged as one of the most prevalent chronic liver conditions worldwide, strongly linked to metabolic dysfunction and dietary imbalances. This study investigated the relationship between nutritional status and liver function parameters among clinically confirmed NAFLD patients using a mixed-methods approach that integrated anthropometric evaluation, dietary intake assessment, biochemical profiling, and ultrasound-based steatosis grading. Nutritional patterns were analyzed through detailed macronutrient and micronutrient intake evaluations, while liver dysfunction was assessed using liver enzyme levels, lipid markers, glucose–insulin indices, and hepatic fat grades. Findings revealed a strong association between elevated BMI, increased body fat percentage, excessive carbohydrate and fat consumption, and significant elevations in ALT, AST, and GGT levels. Micronutrient deficiencies, particularly vitamin D and antioxidant insufficiency, were highly prevalent and correlated with higher steatosis grades and worsening metabolic indicators. The integrated nutrition–liver dysfunction index demonstrated that patients with poor dietary quality and nutritional inadequacies exhibited more severe biochemical and imaging abnormalities, emphasizing the synergistic effect of metabolic and nutritional risk factors on disease progression. Qualitative lifestyle insights further validated the quantitative findings by highlighting irregular eating patterns, sedentary behavior, and high consumption of processed foods as major contributors to hepatic deterioration. Overall, the study underscores the pivotal role of nutritional health in modulating NAFLD severity and highlights the necessity of structured nutritional interventions, weight optimization, and lifestyle modifications as essential components of NAFLD management. These findings provide critical evidence supporting the integration of nutritional assessment into routine clinical evaluation to improve long-term hepatometabolic outcomes.