## 4 Discussion
While comparing the diet that was followed by the participants of the current study with the general recommendations [45], as well as with the dietary recommendations for NAFLD patients undergoing body mass reduction [36; 37], it should be noted that in the studied group, there were some serious problems. The most important was the very low fiber supply, which was not improved within the experiment, as increased fiber intake is recommended both during body mass reduction and for NAFLD patients [76]. The liver plays a crucial role in the metabolism of minerals, which may be disturbed in the case of chronic liver diseases, but at the same time, excessive or insufficient supply of minerals may increase disturbances of homeostasis [77]. In the studied group, it was observed that the common problems were excessive supplies of sodium, phosphorus and iron, accompanied by insufficient supplies of potassium, magnesium, calcium and zinc. Similar results were observed by [PERSON] et al. [78] in a group of patients with NAFLD, as they observed excessive supplies of sodium, iron and zinc, accompanied by insufficient supplies of magnesium and calcium. The described results indicate that there is a serious need for change in the dietary behaviors of NAFLD patients, as sodium intake is positively correlated with NAFLD progression, and this disease is more common in cases of individuals characterized by an excessive intake of this nutrient than in cases of the other ones [79; 80]. Sodium intake should be reduced by the limitation of processed food consumption, and it should be accompanied by an increased intake of potassium, which as a sodium antagonist, may be obtained by increased fruit and vegetable consumption [81]. The phosphorus intake in the studied group was also excessive, but while it is proven that its level may be harmful, little is known about the direct influence of its excessive dietary intake [82]. At the same time, insufficient magnesium intake observed in the studied group of NAFLD patients is a common problem in patients with liver steatosis, while insufficient magnesium intake may promote inflammation and insulin resistance in this group, and increased intake reduces the risk [83], but excessive intake may also have a negative impact, including the increased risk of death for patients with liver steatosis [84]. Similarly, it was noted that low zinc intake is a common problem in patients with liver diseases, which may also lead to insulin resistance and promote liver steatosis; therefore, it is recommended that NAFLD patients apply adequate supplementation of this mineral [85]. In the case of vitamins, in the studied group it was observed that the common problems were excessive supplies of vitamins A, E, B1, B2, B6 and B12 and niacin, accompanied by insufficient supplies of vitamin D and folate. Similar results were observed in the above-mentioned study by [PERSON] et al. [78] in a group of patients with NAFLD, as they also found low vitamin D intake. This problem is not only common in NAFLD patients, but a low vitamin D level is associated with NAFLD progression; thus, vitamin D supplementation may relieve NAFLD symptoms, especially those associated with inflammation [86]. At the same time, an excessive supply of B vitamins is not a problem, as it is removed from the body with urine [87]. The general quality of the diet is reversely associated with NAFLD progression [88], and a higher quality diet may decrease the risk of the disease, as well as be beneficial for patients with already diagnosed NAFLD [89]. However, the diet of the studied patients was not corrected within the study, and that corresponds with the atherogenic index of Keys, which did not change within the study and which may suggest a high atherogenic potential of the diet. When combined with a low fiber intake, this situation may promote the development of cardiovascular diseases [90].