Naguib G, Morris N, Yang S, et al. - Researchers investigated if fatty acid oxidation (FAO) of orally-provided fatty acids (FA) is influenced in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), given an imbalance between fat buildup and disposal is indicated by hepatic fat excess in NAFLD. In people with NAFLD and healthy controls, FAO was measured via a breath-test study. [1-¹³C] Palmitic acid (10 mg/kg) in a liquid meal was ingested by the people, and by means of a BreathID device (Exalenz), measurement of the rate of ¹³CO₂ appearance in expired air was obtained over 6 hours in order to determine the cumulative percent dose recovered, the total amount of ingested ¹³C recovered. Findings revealed reduced FAO of orally-delivered FA in NAFLD vs healthy controls, possibly indicating reduced β-oxidation. Noninvasive dynamic evaluation of FAO was achieved by performing a breath test.