Study reveals these food sources could help treat fatty liver disease (2024)

Researchers found that resistant starch improves the microbiome in the intestines, keeping the liver healthy.

Study reveals these food sources could help treat fatty liver disease (1)

New Delhi,UPDATED: Sep 6, 2023 13:30 IST

A recent study has suggested that for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, the prebiotic 'resistant starch' could be a potential treatment.

Non-alcohol fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a lifestyle disorder that affects millions across the globe. In India, as of 2022, approximately one in three adults or children have NAFLD.

NAFLD means that excessive amounts of fat are accumulated in the liver due to various lifestyle habits such as high consumption of fried food, leading to obesity and high cholesterol.

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If the disease is ignored for a long period of time, it could lead to liver damage or liver cirrhosis (scarred liver and permanently damaged).

Study reveals these food sources could help treat fatty liver disease (2)

Researchers from the University of Jena, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SSPH-SJTUSM) and the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI) found that a diet with resistant starch has positive influence on the liver.

In fact, the study, published in the Cell Metabolism, found that resistant starch improves the microbiome in the intestines.

Resistant starch is a type of carbohydrate that doesn't get digested in the small intestine. Instead, it ferments in the large intestine and feeds "good" gut bacteria. They are a type of complex carbs for which the body needs more energy to digest.

Some food sources of resistant starch are brown rice, beans, whole grain bread or pasta, quinoa, cashews, lentils, plantains, oats and potatoes.

"We found out that the participants in the study benefited from a resistant starch diet, as the accumulation of fat in the diseased liver was reduced. Furthermore, we observed an increase in certain types of bacteria in the gut of the participants. These bacteria positively influenced fat reduction and transport in the liver," said study leader Gianni Panagiotou, Professor at the University of Jena, Germany.

In addition, the author said that reduced NAFLD and inflammation biomarkers indicate the alleviation of liver damage.

Resistant starch consists of indigestible fibres, and thus, has a prebiotic effect on the gut. This means it increases the good bacteria in the gut.

"At the same time, the number of harmful bacteria decreases. This leads to a more balanced gut microbiome and has a positive impact on health," explained first author Yueqiong Ni.

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Serum and faecal samples from 200 participants over a period of four months were examined by the researchers. They found that the level of "Bacteroides stercoris", in particular, increases significantly the more severe the disease is.

Study reveals these food sources could help treat fatty liver disease (3)

The researchers concluded that it is advisable to consume a fist-sized amount of 'healthy' carbohydrates naturally containing resistant starch, such as wholegrain cereals, legumes, green bananas, and starchy vegetables like potatoes at every meal to alleviate fatty liver.

Currently, the disease is classified as an epidemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The metabolic disorder can also aggravate diseases such as type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular diseases.

However, for affected patients, no drug therapy has yet been approved.

Published By:

Daphne Clarance

Published On:

Sep 6, 2023

Study reveals these food sources could help treat fatty liver disease (2024)

FAQs

Study reveals these food sources could help treat fatty liver disease? ›

Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish, fish oil, vegetable oils, nuts (especially walnuts), flaxseeds and flaxseed oil, and leafy veggies. Monounsaturated fats in plant sources like olives, nuts, and avocados.

What foods help get rid of a fatty liver? ›

Research suggests it may be beneficial for people with fatty liver disease to incorporate garlic, omega-3 fatty acids, coffee, broccoli, green tea, and nuts into their diet. Many people with fatty liver disease find they can reach a moderate weight and comfortably manage their symptoms.

What are the 5 liver super foods? ›

Top foods and drinks for liver health
  • Coffee. A 2021 study analyzed data from 494,585 people in the United Kingdom to learn how different types of coffee might affect the risk of chronic liver disease, including decaffeinated, instant, and ground coffee. ...
  • Oatmeal. ...
  • Green tea. ...
  • Garlic. ...
  • Berries. ...
  • Grapes. ...
  • Grapefruit. ...
  • Prickly pear.

What is the new treatment for fatty liver disease? ›

The newly approved medication, Rezdiffra, targets a protein directly in the liver and reduces liver fat, inflammation, and scarring.

What melts fatty liver? ›

Reduce Fat in Diet

Obesity is one of the risk factors for fatty liver. It is advised to avoid saturated fats and trans fats and add unsaturated fats to your diet, such as omega 3 fatty acids, to get rid of fatty liver disease. Fish is one of the chief sources of omega 3 fatty acids.

How can I reverse my fatty liver naturally? ›

5 tips to reverse fatty liver
  1. Eliminate saturated fat and avoid simple sugars like fructose. ...
  2. Reduce the amount of food eaten at night. ...
  3. Follow the plate method. ...
  4. Permanently eliminate the consumption of alcohol and tobacco. ...
  5. Do moderate-intense physical exercise 3-4 days a week.
Jun 6, 2023

How to repair liver damage naturally? ›

Another way you can help give your liver a rest is by eating a liver-friendly diet. This includes: getting sufficient fiber from sources like whole grains as well as fresh fruits and vegetables. choosing lean protein sources, such as seafood, skinless poultry, or legumes, as opposed to fattier meats.

What is the number one food that damages your liver? ›

Red meat and processed meats

Red meat and processed meats are high in saturated fat. Eating a lot of these foods is known to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and risk of fat in the liver. They're also associated with some forms of cancer, especially colorectal cancer.

Can you reverse fatty liver? ›

According to the American Liver Foundation, there are no medical treatments – yet – for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. So that means that eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly are the best ways to both prevent liver damage from starting or reverse liver disease once it's in the early stages.

What is the fastest way to reverse fatty liver? ›

Lose Weight

Even dropping just 5% of your body weight could lower the fat in your liver. Lose between 7% and 10% of your body weight and you'll lower inflammation and the odds of injury to your liver cells. You might even reverse some of the damage. Go slow -- 1 to 2 pounds per week is fine.

What is the life expectancy of a person with fatty liver disease? ›

If NASH cirrhosis is diagnosed early, the life expectancy is about 10 to 15 years. However, if you develop complications such as swelling or fluid in the abdomen, confusion, or bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract, life expectancy decreases dramatically to three to five years without a liver transplant.

How do you shrink a fatty liver? ›

Wise Choices
  1. Try to maintain a healthy weight and eat sensible portions.
  2. Try to lose weight gradually if you're overweight.
  3. Limit how much fat you eat. ...
  4. Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
  5. Avoid foods and drinks with large amounts of sugars, especially fructose. ...
  6. Avoid heavy alcohol use. ...
  7. Quit smoking.

What fruit repairs liver? ›

Many foods contain specific compounds or antioxidants that have been shown to support liver function. A few examples include grapefruit, blueberries, cranberries, fatty fish, olive oil, and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli or Brussels sprouts.

How do you know if your liver is struggling? ›

If there are symptoms of liver disease, they may include: Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, called jaundice. Yellowing of the skin might be harder to see on Black or brown skin. Belly pain and swelling.

How long does it take to reverse fatty liver? ›

How long it takes to reverse fatty liver disease may depend on the cause. If your fatty liver is because of alcohol, you may be able to reverse the effects in about 2 weeks. If you have NAFLD, it will depend on how quickly you lose weight. But remember, be careful not to lose weight too quickly.

What is the fastest way to cure a fatty liver? ›

How is fatty liver disease treated?
  1. follow a healthy diet and avoid sugar.
  2. lose weight.
  3. exercise regularly.
  4. control your blood sugar.
  5. treat high cholesterol if you have it.
  6. avoid medicines that can affect your liver.
  7. drink no or very little alcohol, and quit smoking.

How do you clear fat from your liver? ›

Prevention and reversal of fatty liver disease
  1. lose weight – safely. ...
  2. lower your triglycerides through diet, medication or both.
  3. avoid alcohol.
  4. control your diabetes, if you have it.
  5. eat a balanced, healthy diet.
  6. increase your physical activity.
  7. get regular check-ups from a doctor who specialises in liver care.

How can I lose liver fat fast? ›

Wise Choices
  1. Try to maintain a healthy weight and eat sensible portions.
  2. Try to lose weight gradually if you're overweight.
  3. Limit how much fat you eat. ...
  4. Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
  5. Avoid foods and drinks with large amounts of sugars, especially fructose. ...
  6. Avoid heavy alcohol use. ...
  7. Quit smoking.

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