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MAFLD or NAFLD (M\/NAFLD) pathophysiology is characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the liver, often driven by metabolic disorders such as obesity, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia. Micronutrient deficiencies known as \u201chidden hunger\u201d remain an underexplored comorbidity of M\/NAFLD. Hidden hunger, caused by inadequate intake or poor bioavailability of essential vitamins and minerals, can exacerbate the pathophysiology of M\/NAFLD through mechanisms such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and impaired lipid metabolism. This review examined the intricate interconnection between hidden hunger and M\/NAFLD. Key micronutrients (vitamins D, E, A, and C, zinc, selenium, and magnesium) are critical in maintaining metabolic homeostasis and mitigating liver damage. Their deficiencies can accelerate M\/NAFLD progression from simple steatosis to advanced stages like non\u2010alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. We also highlight the diagnostic challenges posed by overlapping symptoms of hidden hunger and M\/NAFLD and emphasize the need for comprehensive screening protocols. Evidence\u2010based therapeutic strategies, including nutritional interventions and micronutrient supplementation, were explored for their potential to halt or reverse disease progression. We maintained that addressing hidden hunger offers a special chance to enhance results in M\/NAFLD patients.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1002\/mnfr.70134","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,16]],"date-time":"2025-06-16T05:03:18Z","timestamp":1750050198000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":4,"title":["Hidden Hunger: A Forgotten Comorbidity of Metabolic\u2010Syndrome\u2010Associated Fatty Liver Disease"],"prefix":"10.1002","volume":"69","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-4739-2040","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Peter Chinedu","family":"Agu","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Ministry of Education), College of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chinese Medicine Southwest University  Chongqing China"},{"name":"Department of Biochemistry, College of Science Evangel University  Akaeze 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