Efeitos Nutricionais e Mecanismos Bioquímicos na Doença Hepática Gordurosa Não Alcoólica

The Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) has gained alarming proportions, affecting about 25-30% of the world's population. The occurrence of NAFLD is associated with overweight, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome. It is a silent disease that evolves from an initial fat liver accumulation to the steatosis, hepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and carcinoma. Morbimortality associated with NAFLD has increased significantly, along with the growth of overweight in the population. There is still neither a specific marker for the diagnosis nor a pharmacological treatment for the disease. Therefore, both the prevention and treatment are based on a change in lifestyle, with the adoption of healthy eating habits that must lead to weight loss, improving the health condition. The objective of this review was to search and synthesize updated scientific information about the DHGNA. The search was directed to dietary influences in the development, prevention, and treatment of NAFLD and to the biochemical and metabolic mechanisms involved with the disease. By doing that we could provide information to help understanding the DHGNA's diet and biochemistry, as well as the importance of the disease on the light of public health. The issues reported help to enhance the nutritionist in the current scenario of food and nutrition education, aimed at the prevention and treatment of the NAFLD.