| Abstract: | Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is mainly treated with caloric restriction and consecutive weight reduction. Protein, in exchange for starch and sugar as well as monounsaturated and long chain omega-3-fatty acids and prebiotic β-glucan, are thought to be supportive.In a randomized controlled intervention study, two different dietary concepts were tested regarding effects on intrahepatic lipid content as well as on biochemical parameters in patients with a body-mass-index (BMI) > 30 kg/m2 and signs of fatty liver disease. The intervention group (IG, n = 17) received a commercially available formula diet supplemented with oats fibers. The control group (CG, n = 19) received a comparably restricted diet (approx. 1000 kcal/d) according to the "low glycemic and insulinemic diet" method.After twelve weeks, both interventions resulted into a reduction of BMI (IG: 33.8 ± 2.9 to 29.3 ± 2.5 kg/m2, CG: 33.7 ± 2.8 to 30.1 ± 3.2 kg/m2, both p < 0.001), as well as an improvement of liver and other metabolic functions. The hepatorenal index decreased in both groups, however, this reduction was more pronounced in the IG than in the CG (end of the study: 1.1 ± 0.2 vs. 1.9 ± 0.3, p < 0.05). A reduction of blood pressure only occurred in the IG (systolic from 136 ± 15 mmHg to 122 ± 11 mmHg, diastolic from 89 ± 9 mmHg to 79 ± 11 mmHg, both p < 0.01).In conclusion, we found that both dietetic interventions were similarly effective regarding weight reduction, but the formula diet with oats fibers was more effective regarding the reduction of intrahepatic lipid content and blood pressure than the control diet. |
