Polyphenols treatment in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract

Abstract Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects 25–30% of the general population worldwide and this high prevalence is linked with lifestyle and dietetic changes, not only in Western countries, but also in the urban areas of developing countries. Several pharmacological approaches were proposed in the treatment of NAFLD, but the reported results are inconclusive. International guidelines recommended the reduction of dietary fat and fructose, in association with some physical activity. In this context, it was reported that the protective effects of traditional Mediterranean diet, related to the high concentration of antioxidant compounds, particularly of polyphenols. Polyphenols are a heterogeneous class of plant derived compounds, with some proven hepatoprotective effects. Our opinion is that the adherence to traditional Mediterranean diet characterized by the consumption of antioxidant-rich foods in general and of polyphenols in particular, can be considered as a potential new approach in the treatment of NAFLD.