Substance Shown to Combat Fatty Liver Condition in Studies

Substance Shown to Combat Fatty Liver Condition in Studies

A significant proportion of Americans are affected by non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition characterized by an accumulation of excessive fat in the liver. Factors such as high cholesterol, hypertension, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, and being overweight can raise the risk of developing NAFLD.

Most individuals with NAFLD have a benign form, known as simple fatty liver, where there is minimal inflammation or damage to liver cells. However, some patients suffer from Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), a more severe form that is marked by liver inflammation and cell damage, which can lead to fibrosis or scarring of the liver. Complications of NAFLD may also extend to conditions like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

With no approved medication for NAFLD, doctors frequently advise exercise and dietary changes to manage the condition. Recently, research has uncovered an effective means of combating NAFLD through a specific dietary adjustment - the consumption of resistant starch.

Resistant starch is a type of dietary fiber that remains undigested and ferments in the large intestine, encouraging the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. A study involving approximately 200 NAFLD patients revealed that a 40% reduction in liver triglyceride levels was observed in participants who took resistant starch powder derived from maize, when compared to a control group that received non-resistant corn starch. The resistant starch group also exhibited lower liver enzymes and inflammatory markers associated with NAFLD, even after adjusting for weight loss.

By analyzing fecal samples, researchers discovered that the microbiota composition and function in the resistant starch group was distinct from that of the control group. Specifically, the resistant starch group had lower levels of Bacteroides stercoris, a bacterial species that can impact fat metabolism in the liver through its metabolites, and is associated with a reduced amount of liver triglycerides.

To further investigate the effects of resistant starch on the liver, scientists transplanted the fecal microbiota from resistant starch patients into mice fed a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet. These mice demonstrated a significant reduction in liver weight and liver triglyceride levels, along with an improved liver tissue grade, compared to mice transplanted with microbiota from the control group.

Incorporating resistant starch into one's diet is relatively straightforward. Foods rich in resistant starch include plantains, green bananas, beans, peas, lentils, oats, barley, cooked and cooled rice, potatoes, and pasta. Cooling certain foods that lose resistant starch when exposed to heat, such as rice and potatoes, can also increase their resistant starch content.

The results of this study suggest a new, effective, affordable, and sustainable intervention for NAFLD treatment. Compared to strenuous exercise or extensive weight loss regimens, incorporating resistant starch into a normal and balanced diet is easier to follow through on.

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Sources:

• Resistant starch supplement reduces liver triglycerides in people with fatty liver disease - EurekAlert!
• Resistant starch decreases intrahepatic triglycerides in patients with NAFLD via gut microbiome alterations - Cell Metabolism
• What Is Resistant Starch? - The Johns Hopkins Patient Guide to Diabetes

1. Persistent fatigue can indicate underlying health issues, beyond normal aging.
2. The risk of age-related diseases may escalate if the body's master hormone appears to malfunction.
3. If you suspect a hormonal imbalance, learning more about its optimization could improve overall health and longevity.
4. NAFLD, a liver disease, is prevalent among Americans, linked to high cholesterol, hypertension, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, and obesity.
5. NAFLD can manifest as simple fatty liver, with minimal inflammation or liver cell damage, or Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), involving liver inflammation and cell damage.
6. NASH can lead to fibrosis or liver scarring and may be associated with other chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
7. Without an approved medication for NAFLD, doctors typically advise exercise and dietary changes for management.
8. Research has explored resistant starch, a type of dietary fiber, as an effective means to tackle NAFLD.
9. Resistant starch remains undigested in the body, helping gut bacteria growth and reducing liver triglycerides.
10. A study with approximately 200 NAFLD patients showed a 40% lower liver triglyceride levels in a resistant starch powder group.
11. The resistant starch group demonstrated lower liver enzymes and inflammatory markers, regardless of weight loss.
12. Analysis of fecal samples revealed distinct microbiota composition in the resistant starch group, with lower levels of Bacteroides stercoris.
13. Bacteroides stercoris can impact liver fat metabolism, making it a possible contributor to high liver triglycerides.
14. To confirm resistant starch's effects on the liver, mice were fed a high-fat diet and given resistant starch microbiota.
15. These mice showed a significant reduction in liver weight, liver triglyceride levels, and improved liver tissue grade.
16. Integrating resistant starch into the diet can be achieved by consuming foods like plantains, green bananas, beans, peas, lentils, and cooled rice and potatoes.
17. Resistant starch may offer an accessible and affordable intervention for NAFLD treatment, compared to rigorous exercise or extensive weight loss plans.
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