Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered the most common liver disease in the world. Dietary habits have a significant impact on the biological and physical profile of patients and increase the risk of NAFLD. The overall pattern of diet intake is more associated with health outcomes than nutrients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional profile and the dietary patterns of Lebanese NAFLD patients and compare it with controls. During this study; 112 NAFLD Lebanese adult patients (55 men and 57 women); and 110 controls (44 men and 66 women) were recruited. Dietary intake was evaluated by two 24-h recalls and a semi-quantitative 90-item food frequency questionnaire. Dietary patterns were determined by factor analysis. Results from the study demonstrated that 40% of cases belonged to the high fruit group as compared to 30% following a high meat; fast food dietary pattern. Both groups increased the odds of NAFLD by four-fold (p < 0.05). The traditional diet decreases the odds by 33% after adjustment with the covariables. The high fruit diet group was, as with the high meat, fast food dietary pattern, the main potential risk factor for NAFLD in Lebanese patients.
Background: The understanding of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) health effects is rapidly advancing among critical populations. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess PFAS serum levels among Lebanese pregnant women, cord serum and human milk levels, their determinants, and effects on newborn anthropometry. Methods: We measured concentrations of six PFAS (PFHpA, PFOA, PFHxS, PFOS, PFNA and PFDA) using liquid chromatography MS/MS for 419 participants, of which 269 had sociodemographic, anthropometric, environmental and dietary information. Results: The percentage of detection for PFHpA, PFOA, PFHxS and PFOS was 36.3–37.7%. PFOA and PFOS levels (95th percentile) were higher than HBM-I and HBM-II values. While PFAS were not detected in cord serum, five compounds were detected in human milk. Multivariate regression showed that fish/shellfish consumption, vicinity to illegal incineration and higher educational level were associated with an almost twice higher risk of elevated PFHpA, PFOA, PFHxS and PFOS serum levels. Higher PFAS levels in human milk were observed with higher eggs and dairy products consumption, in addition to tap water (preliminary findings). Higher PFHpA was significantly associated with lower newborn weight-for-length Z-score at birth. Conclusions: Findings establish the need for further studies, and urgent action to reduce exposure among subgroups with higher PFAS levels.