Research
Mixed
Gut microbiota dysbiosis, characterized by decreased diversity and increased Proteobacteria, contributes to the pathogenesis of NAFLD by disrupting intestinal permeability and promoting hepatic inflammation via the gut-liver axis.
Focus on gut health as part of liver health. A diet high in fiber and low in processed additives may support a healthy microbiome, potentially reducing the risk of NAFLD progression. Probiotics and prebiotics are mentioned as potential therapeutic strategies.
GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
there is accumulating evidence from both preclinical and clinical studies suggesting that gut microbiota dysbiosis plays a key role in the initiation of the disease and its maintenance.
Why this rating
Review of multiple preclinical and clinical studies; strong consensus on association.
Source
Gut Microbiota and NAFLD: Pathogenetic Mechanisms, Microbiota Signatures, and Therapeutic Interventions
Tomas Hrncir et al. · Microorganisms · 2021
DOI 10.3390/microorganisms9050957
narrative_reviewCited 170×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- High fructose consumption, particularly from High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS), promotes NAFLD by inducing gut microbiota dysbiosis, increasing intestinal permeability, and directly causing hepatic steatosis through de novo lipogenesis.Good
- Choline metabolism by gut bacteria into Trimethylamine (TMA) and subsequently Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) contributes to NAFLD by decreasing VLDL export and promoting insulin resistance.Good
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