fig1

Figure 1. Lactation and breastfeeding may potentially prevent NAFLD development and progression on both sides of the mother-infant dyad. This cartoon schematically summarizes the potential benefits for both the lactating mother and the breastfed infant. While underlying mechanisms require further clarity, current evidence suggests breastfeeding engages diverse protective pathways, mitigating obesity, metabolic dysfunction, and NAFLD risk in both mothers and offspring. Collectively, as discussed in the text, these benefits may contribute to transforming the vicious circle of cross-generational transmission of NAFLD into a virtuous one^[44,61]. NAFLD: nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.