A cross-sectional study assessing dietary intake and physical activity in Canadian patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease vs healthy controls.

Background: Poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle can contribute to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Objective: Our aim was to compare diet and physical activity of patients with NAFLD and healthy controls with current recommendations.

Design: This was a cross-sectional study.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with lower hepatic and erythrocyte ratios of phosphatidylcholine to phosphatidylethanolamine.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with altered hepatic lipid composition. Animal studies suggest that the hepatic ratio of phosphatidylcholine (PC) to phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) contributes to steatogenesis and inflammation. This ratio may be influenced by dysregulation of the PE N-methyltransferase (PEMT) pathway or by a low-choline diet.