The association between empirically derived dietary patterns and liver function tests in adults: Shahedieh cohort study
Elnaz Lorzadeh Nutrition Available online 19 June 2020,
Highlights
• Limited data exists on the association between dietary food patterns and liver enzymes.
• We examined the association between empirically derived dietary patterns and liver enzymes in a large sample of Iranian adults.
• Three dietary patterns were derived: 1) “traditional”, 2) “western”, and “Hydrogenated fat and sugars” diet.
• The western dietary pattern was linearly associated with serum gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels.
• The western diet was also associated with abnormally high GGT levels.
Background
Limited data exists on the association between dietary patterns and enzymes mainly produced by the liver.
Objective
To examine the relationship between empirically derived dietary patterns and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels as well as ALT/AST ratio.
Design
This cross-sectional study was conducted on adults attended the baseline phase of Shahedieh cohort study, Yazd, Iran. Participants gave blood samples in a fasted state and provided data on dietary intakes and other variables. Major dietary patterns were derived using principal component analysis.
Results
In total, 4973 participants aged 46.33±9.08 years were included. Three dietary patterns were derived:
1) “traditional” diet high in vegetables, fruits, tomatoes, dairy, dried fruits, fruit juice, yogurt drink, olive and olive oil, sweet desserts, and high-fat dairy products,
2) “western” diet high in pizza, refined grains, soft drinks, high fat dairy products, processed meats, mayonnaise and snack foods, and
3) “Hydrogenated fat and sugars” diet high in hydrogenated fat, potatoes, sugars and legumes.
After adjustment for all confounders, the “western” dietary pattern had a significant linear association with serum GGT (P<0.001). This diet was also associated with higher odds for developing abnormal levels of serum GGT (Ptrend<0.001). Although the other dietary patterns had some linear associations with enzymes levels, they were not associated with the likelihood for developing abnormally high liver enzymes levels.
Conclusion
Higher consumption of a western dietary pattern might adversely affect serum GGT levels. Prospective studies are recommended to confirm our results.