Mixed
Lifestyle interventions involving weight management through diet and physical activity are the primary effective strategy for improving liver histology and delaying disease progression in NAFLD, whereas pharmacological treatments like metformin lack demonstrated effectiveness and TZDs carry significant long-term risks.
Focus on weight management through diet and physical activity. This is the only proven method to improve liver histology and delay NAFLD progression. Do not rely on metformin for liver health, as studies show it is ineffective for this purpose. Be aware that while TZDs (like pioglitazone) can reduce liver fat, they carry significant side effects (heart failure, osteoporosis) and NASH can recur if stopped.
Regarding the management of NAFLD, weight management through improvements in diet and increased physical activity can help to improve liver histology as well as delay disease progression. Clinical studies could not demonstrate the effectiveness of metformin in the treatment of NAFLD. ... discontinuing TZD therapy resulted in NASH recurrence and long-term use of TZDs can result in medical complications such as edema, congestive heart failure, osteoporosis, and weight gain.
Why this rating
Based on a review of clinical studies and animal models; notes conflicting results for drugs.
Source
Molecular pathways in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Teresa Auguet et al. · Clinical and Experimental Gastroenterology · 2014
DOI 10.2147/ceg.s62831
Related findings · Mixed
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