Effect of Indian Hepatoprotective Diet in Reversibility of NAFLD (NAFLDNutrition)

The modality of lifestyle modification including low calorie diets along with normal protein and moderate physical activity is the safest standard medical treatment for NAFLD in general. There are many benefits of weight loss to the patients with NAFLD. Besides the improvement in the features of metabolic syndrome, weight loss with IHPD would certainly improve the overall vitality and well being of the patients. The results of study will help to delineate a protocolized care for the management of NAFLD with metabolic syndrome thus helping other patients also in the future.

There is a strong link between food items, gut microbiota (GM), liver fat and development of various non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The incidence of NCDs is rapidly increasing globally. The GM is considered an organ by itself and any alterations in its composition or functioning are likely to be associated with different NCDs, including cancers. The core to most of the NCDs is increased fat in the liver and the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The highly variable natural history of NAFLD reflects the current incomplete understanding of the pathobiology of the disease. The strongest risk factors for NAFLD/NASH are unhealthy food items and their metabolites which affect the host and the gut microbiota. Traditional Indian food items are known to have strong influence on liver and production of healthy bile, the 'Pitta'. The influence and health worthiness of various indigenous food items has not been scientifically evaluated. Their role in health and disease would not only help in prevention but also management of multiple non-communicable diseases. This information could also make a change in the social and behavioural attitudes of Indians The proposed project would, therefore, undertake work on the following broad areas: Effects of conventional Indian foods as hepatoprotective agents, producers of 'healthy' bile and stimulating liver regeneration. Food constituents as therapeutic agents by changing dysbiotic gut microbiota to healthy microbiota, reduction in hepatic fat and inflammation, improving metabolic health (reducing sugar, cholesterol, etc.) and reduction in liver fibrosis

All the variables would be studied before and after intervention with indian hepatoprotective diet (IHPD) in 60 patients with NAFLD and 60 healthy individuals on Western diet.

The intervention is planned as a supervised dietary supplementation, with a goal of restricting the calorie intake to 25 Kcal/Kg BW/day, with a protein intake of 1 gm/Kg BW/day i.e., around 15 % of total calories from protein, 35% from fats and 50% from carbohydrates. Major portion of the carbohydrates is vegetables, fruits and then cereals (high fiber cereals), more amount of tomato and amla at least 200 gm in a day, protein requirements are met by mainly legumes like chick pea black - (kala chana) and moong sprouts besides dals. Lean meats and egg whites would be allowed as the non-vegetarian source. Milk products used are only milk and buttermilk, curd (excluding paneer). Major source of oil would be mustard oil only.

The intervention is planned with a goal of restricting the calorie intake to 40 Kcal/Kg BW/day, around 10-15 % of total calories from protein, 30-35% from fats and 55-60% from carbohydrates. Major portion of the carbohydrates is Western fast food comprising of pizza and burger, French fries, sweets, muffins, cakes, chocolates, sugar sweetened beverages.

The intervention is planned as a supervised dietary supplementation, with a goal of restricting the calorie intake to 25 Kcal/Kg BW/day, with a protein intake of 1 gm/Kg BW/day i.e., around 15 % of total calories from protein, 35% from fats and 50% from carbohydrates. Major portion of the carbohydrates is vegetables, fruits and then cereals (high fiber cereals), more amount of tomato and amla at least 200 gm in a day, protein requirements are met by mainly legumes like chick pea black - (kala chana) and moong sprouts besides dals. Lean meats and egg whites would be allowed as the non-vegetarian source. Milk products used are only milk and buttermilk, curd (excluding paneer). Major source of oil would be mustard oil only.

The intervention is planned with a goal of restricting the calorie intake to 40 Kcal/Kg BW/day, around 10-15 % of total calories from protein, 30-35% from fats and 55-60% from carbohydrates. Major portion of the carbohydrates is Western fast food comprising of pizza and burger, French fries, sweets, muffins, cakes, chocolates, sugar sweetened beverages.

To study the effectiveness of Indian Hepatoprotective Diet (IHPD) in hepatic steatosis in patients with NAFLD index in patients with NAFLD

Inclusion Criteria: Patients recently diagnosed (<3 months)diagnosed on the basis of ultrasound and /or liver transient eleastography (controlled attenuation parameter; CAP >250) Having components of metabolic syndrome like Hyperglycemia, central obesity, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, and low HDL cholesterol levels). Exclusion Criteria: Pregnant & lactating women Age <18 and >55 years Individuals who had been hospitalised with complications of Diabetes mellitus, Chronic Kidney disease, Hypertension in the previous 6 months Those with intake of antibiotics within last month Seriously ill and bed ridden patients Patients with viral hepatitis Patients with significant alcohol consumption (regular consumption of > 10g per day for females and > 20g/d in males), Patients having chronic inflammatory bowel disease or any chronic and autoimmune diseases will be excluded Patients with NAFLD with associated hypertriglyceridemia requiring administration of statins.