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Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an increasingly common condition associated with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Since systemic metabolic dysfunction underlies NAFLD, the current nomenclature has been revised, and the term metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has been proposed. The new definition emphasizes the bidirectional relationships and increases awareness in looking for fatty liver disease among patients with T2DM and CVD or its risk factors, as well as looking for these diseases among patients with NAFLD. The most recommended treatment method of NAFLD is lifestyle changes, including dietary fructose limitation, although other treatment methods of NAFLD have recently emerged and are being studied. Given the focus on the liver–gut axis targeting, bacteria may also be a future aim of NAFLD treatment given the microbiome signatures discriminating healthy individuals from those with NAFLD. In this review article, we will provide an overview of the associations of fructose consumption, gut microbiota, diabetes, and CVD in patients with NAFLD.

Introduction. Due to high prevalence of diabetes mellitus all over the world it is essential for students who will become doctors of different specialties to possess a basic knowledge of it in this field. This pilot surveybased study was designed to assess diabetes related knowledge among faculty of medicine students from all of the medical universities in Poland. Materials and methods. Students were invited to fulfill the questionnaire during Students’ Diabetology Conference and via the Internet (social media). The survey consisted of questions about respondent’s age and personal history of diabetes and diabetes related knowledge (etiology, symptoms, risk factors, complications and treatment of diabetes mellitus and additionally a section concerning gestational diabetes). Results. A total number of 1200 medical students from Poland (70% women; mean age [SD] 22.12 [1.83] years of age) completed the survey. Mean test result was 66.62%. The best score was observed in the group of students enrolled in the 5th and 6th year of study, and those with diabetes mellitus type 1. Conclusions. The study outcome proves that knowledge about diabetes mellitus among surveyed medical students in Poland is insufficient, therefore persistent improvement in transmitting it during the course of medical education is essential.

The incidence of cardiometabolic diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, is constantly rising. Successful lifestyle changes may limit their incidence, which is why researchers focus on the role of nutrition in this context. The outcomes of studies carried out in past decades have influenced dietary guidelines, which primarily recommend reducing saturated fat as a therapeutic approach for cardiovascular disease prevention, while limiting the role of sugar due to its harmful effects. On the other hand, a low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) as a method of treatment remains controversial. A number of studies on the effect of LCDs on patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus proved that it is a safe and effective method of dietary management. As for the risk of cardiovascular diseases, the source of carbohydrates and fats corresponds with the mortality rate and protective effect of plant-derived components. Additionally, some recent studies have focused on the gut microbiota in relation to cardiometabolic diseases and diet as one of the leading factors affecting microbiota composition. Unfortunately, there is still no precise answer to the question of which a single nutrient plays the most important role in reducing cardiometabolic risk, and this review article presents the current state of the knowledge in this field.