“Fatty” liver, “sluggish” liver, NAFLD, NASH… : non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become one of the most common liver conditions seen in practice.
It affects up to 25% of the adult population1, often silently, yet with major repercussions for metabolism, low-grade inflammation and cardiometabolic risk.
The good news: diet is a powerful lever, and one available to everyone. With a well-built, personalised nutritional strategy, you can slow the progression of the disease and also restore the patient's metabolic terrain for the long term.
This article reviews the fundamentals of that care, drawing on the Simplycure webinar led by Ludovic Rondini, an expert in nutritional biochemistry.
Understanding non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in practice
You probably see cases of NAFLD every week, often without the patients themselves realising it.
It corresponds to an abnormal build-up of triglycerides in the hepatocytes, in the absence of excessive alcohol intake. This profile is common in patients with metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance or a high dietary fructose intake.
The mechanisms involved:
Reduced fatty acid oxidation in the mitochondria
Excessive lipid synthesis by the liver (lipogenesis)
Oxidative stress and chronic low-grade inflammation
Altered gut microbiota and intestinal permeability
Clinical signs to watch for:
Fatigue after meals
Diffuse digestive discomfort
Abdominal excess weight
Abnormal liver work-up (transaminases, GGT)
Fatty liver often goes unnoticed, but it can have serious consequences if left unmanaged. In at-risk patients, early screening is an effective way to prevent progression to NASH or other metabolic disorders.
Why stay alert to fructose?
Ludovic Rondini puts it well in the Simplycure webinar: industrial fructose strongly stimulates hepatic lipogenesis… without ever switching on satiety signals. The result: the liver is overloaded, silently and often to an underestimated degree.
What to monitor in patients:
Rising triglycerides
Raised transaminases
An expanding waist circumference
Remember to ask your patient about fruit juices, “sugar-free” fizzy drinks and cereal bars… fructose is often well hidden in them.
Diet and NAFLD: the core principles
Diet remains the main lever in the care of fatty liver disease2. The aim is twofold: to limit metabolic overload, and to actively support liver function.
Foods to limit in your patients
CategoryConcrete examplesPathophysiological impactAdded sugars & fructoseFizzy drinks, commercial juices, “light” productsExcessive hepatic lipogenesisTrans fatsPastries, snacks, industrial margarinesInflammation + oxidative stressRefined floursWhite bread, standard pasta, biscuitsBlood sugar spike + insulin resistanceExcess red meatProcessed meats, fatty meatsHigh hepatic load
Foods to encourage in your patients
CategoryExamplesBenefitsVegetables & fibreArtichoke, broccoli, brassicas, black radishPrebiotics, support for liver detoxificationGood fatsNuts, oily fish, olive oil, flaxseed3Anti-inflammatory, cell protectionFermented foodsKefir, sauerkraut, misoMicrobiota supportCholeretic plantsRosemary, dandelion, turmericBile stimulation, draining effect
Key micronutrients for the liver
Some micronutrient shortfalls slow detoxification, worsen inflammation and hold back liver regeneration.
MicronutrientKey roleFood sourcesCholine4Export of fat out of the liverEgg yolk, soya, broccoliZincAntioxidant, phase 1 enzymesOysters, nuts, pumpkin seedsVitamins B6, B9, B12Methylation cycle, homocysteineLiver, green vegetables, yeastSeleniumGlutathione peroxidase coenzymeBrazil nuts, fishN-acetyl cysteine (NAC)Glutathione precursorTargeted supplementation
Practical tip: in consultation, a structured dietary questionnaire can bring to light imbalances (too much added sugar, too little fibre, insufficient omega-3 intake and so on) or likely deficiencies (choline, B vitamins, zinc, selenium…) that do not always show up in standard blood work.
Supplement protocol: 3 levers to support NAFLD care
Alongside dietary adjustments, targeted supplementation can strengthen your work on three major fronts: liver function, low-grade inflammation, insulin resistance.
Here is a field-tested protocol, based on recommendations from the brand Vitanutrics, to be adapted to the clinical profiles you meet.
1. Protect the liver
ProductVitadetox & Protect®Main active ingredientsLiposomal milk thistle, broccoli (sulforaphane), EGCG, taurine, B vitamins, molybdenumBenefitsImproves liver function, supports liver detoxification and digestionDosage2 capsules in the morning for at least 3 months, to be repeated according to clinical profile
Think of it in cases of metabolic syndrome, obesity, long-term drug treatment (or chemotherapy), regular alcohol intake, or signs of hepatic and digestive fatigue.
2. Reduce low-grade inflammation
ProductVitaPL3 – Phospholipides marins®Main active ingredientsFish oil rich in EPA/DHA (herring roe), omega 3BenefitsAnti-inflammatory, cardiovascular support, emotional balanceDosage2 capsules in the morning for at least 3 months, to be adjusted to dietary intake
DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal blood triglyceride concentrations.
3. Reduce insulin resistance
ProductR-alpha lipoic acid (bioactive form)IndicationsPre-diabetes, insulin resistance, weight management, heavy metal chelationDosage1 to 3 capsules morning and evening for at least 1 month, to be repeated according to symptoms
It may be combined with metformin or acarbose depending on the context.
Always keep in view the trio liver-microbiota-inflammation to guide your interventions. The Vitanutrics protocol is a solid base that you can adapt to each clinical profile.
Example of an 8-week nutritional protocol
Patient profile: man, 52, abdominal excess weight, abnormal liver work-up, NAFLD confirmed on ultrasound.
Phase 1: cleaning up the diet (weeks 1 to 4)
Stopping ultra-processed products
Cutting out industrial fructose (juices, fizzy drinks, ready meals)
Increasing fibre (bitter vegetables, pulses, raw vegetables)
Starting a gentle course: turmeric + artichoke (light detoxification without irritation)
Phase 2: active support and micronutrition (weeks 5 to 8)
Introducing a liver-protective complex (choline + NAC + selenium)
An anti-inflammatory Mediterranean diet
2 meals a week that are 100% plant-based and rich in polyphenols
Microbiota support: kefir + prebiotics
Expected clinical course
PeriodClinical improvementBiological markers4 weeksLess fatigue, smoother digestionLower GGT, ALT8 weeksReduced waist circumference, better morning energyLower triglycerides12 weeksStabilised weight5, improved mood, regular transitNormalised transaminases
Conclusion: concrete levers to prevent fatty liver from progressing
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is far more than a simple excess of fat in the liver: it is a metabolic warning signal. By targeting diet, micronutrition and the microbiota together, you can act concretely to slow its progression and improve the quality of life of your patients.
At Simplycure, we help you structure effective nutritional care, based on the latest clinical data and adaptable to every patient profile.
To find out more about our tools, our training or our field protocols, feel free to create an account or get in touch ! We are here to support you in your practice.
