Dietary n-3 and n-6 fatty acid intakes and NAFLD: A cross-sectional study in the United States.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

PUFAs play critical roles in the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study examined the associations between dietary n-3 and n-6 PUFA intake and NAFLD risk in a US population.

METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN

Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2014 was used in this cross-sectional study. Data on dietary n-3 and n-6 PUFAs were extracted through two 24-h dietary recall interviews, and the dietary n-3 and n-6 PUFA intakes were adjusted by weight. NAFLD was defined based on the US fatty liver index (FLI) value ≥30. Multivariable logistic regression models and restricted cubic spline models were applied to investigate the associations between dietary n-3 and n-6 PUFA intakes and NAFLD risk.

RESULTS

Dietary n-3 and n-6 PUFA intakes were inversely associated with NAFLD risk. The multivariable-adjusted OR (95% CI) of NAFLD for the highest versus lowest quartile of dietary n-3 and n-6 PUFA intakes was 0.24 (0.17-0.35) and 0.18 (0.13-0.26), respectively. In stratified analyses by sex and age, the negative associations between dietary n-3 and n-6 PUFA intakes and NAFLD risk were significant in men, women, and individuals younger and older than 45 years. Dose-response analyses indicated that NAFLD risk was associated with dietary n-3 and n-6 PUFA intakes in a nonlinear manner.

CONCLUSIONS

Dietary n-3 and n-6 PUFA intakes were inversely associated with NAFLD risk in US adults.