12-Month Study Reveals Lifestyle Changes Reduce Liver Fat in MASLD

A recent randomized trial conducted in Belgium has revealed that lifestyle support can lead to significant reductions in liver fat over a 12-month period for individuals diagnosed with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). The study involved 297 participants who were divided into three groups: minimal intervention, lifestyle coaching, and mobile health support. Each group received tailored advice, with the minimal intervention group focusing on the Mediterranean diet and physical activity, while the coaching group engaged in structured sessions and the mobile health group utilized the Happi liver app for dietary guidance and activity tracking.

The trial's findings indicated that all three approaches resulted in notable improvements in liver fat as measured by the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP). After one year, the minimal intervention group saw a mean CAP reduction of 23.94 dB/m, the coaching group had a reduction of 23.66 dB/m, and the mobile health group recorded a decrease of 21.96 dB/m. Despite these positive outcomes, statistical analysis showed no significant differences between the groups, suggesting that more intensive support did not yield better results for liver fat reduction.

In addition to liver fat improvements, participants in the coaching and mobile health groups maintained lower body mass index (BMI) levels compared to their baseline measurements. Both groups also reported better adherence to the Mediterranean diet, which is known for its health benefits. However, the mobile health group experienced only a minor reduction in aspartate aminotransferase levels, and no significant changes were observed in liver stiffness over the study period, indicating that fibrosis improvement was not demonstrated.

The implications of this study suggest that mobile health applications could serve as a viable option for lifestyle support in MASLD management, while also emphasizing the importance of providing dedicated advice during clinical consultations. The minimal intervention group received more focused dietary information than what is typically available in standard care settings. However, the study's limitations, including its single-centre design and reliance on non-invasive measurements, highlight the need for further research.

Looking ahead, larger multicentre trials are essential to validate these findings and determine the most effective lifestyle interventions for patients with varying degrees of MASLD. The results of this study could pave the way for more personalized approaches to managing liver health in individuals with metabolic dysfunction.