Pilot Study of Time-Restricted, Intermittent Fasting for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Non-Obese Adults
Massachusetts General Hospital
Summary
NAFLD is a growing threat to public health. Currently, there is a significant need for highly effective treatments for NAFLD. Non-obese NAFLD (BMI\<30kg/m2) is an increasingly recognized condition, sometimes described as "lean NAFLD". Intermittent Fasting (IF) may be uniquely beneficial in non-obese NAFLD. The purpose of this study is to identify non-pharmacologic, lifestyle-based methods of NAFLD treatment within non-obese adults.
Description
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which encompasses a spectrum from simple steatosis and steatohepatitis (NASH) to fibrosis and cirrhosis, is the leading cause of liver disease in the United States. There are currently no FDA-approved pharmacologic therapies for NAFLD and NASH, and standard low-calorie diets are often minimally effective, difficult to adhere to and to maintain. Thus, continued investigation of strategies to treat NAFLD and NASH is greatly needed. Non-obese NAFLD (BMI\<30kg/m2) is an increasingly recognized condition, sometimes described as "lean NAFLD". It is estimated…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Willing and able to provide informed consent 2. Age 18 years or older at time of consent 3. BMI 23-30kg/m\^2 at screening 4. Evidence of NAFLD confirmed by historical procedure obtained no more than 6 months prior to the screening visit, defined as: * Grade \>=1 steatosis on clinical liver biopsy; OR * Fatty liver on validated imaging modality (non-contrast CT scan, MR Spectroscopy, MRI proton density fat fraction, ultrasound) 5. Liver fat fraction ≥10% on H-MRS performed during the screening period 6. Hepatitis C antibody and Hepatitis B surface antigen negative…
Interventions
- BehavioralTime-Restricted, Intermittent Fasting
A special type of diet for 6 weeks, called time-restricted, intermittent fasting.
Location
- Massachusetts General HospitalBoston, Massachusetts