A groundbreaking study has found that resistant starch can significantly reduce liver triglycerides and enzymes in people suffering from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
This common liver condition affects about 30% of the global population and can lead to severe liver diseases and other complications, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
The study shows promise for an affordable and sustainable intervention in managing NAFLD.
Led by Huating Li at Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital, the study involved 200 NAFLD patients and was published in Cell Metabolism.
Participants were divided into two groups: one received resistant starch powder derived from maize, while the control group received calorie-matched non-resistant corn starch.
Both groups were asked to consume 20 grams of their respective starches mixed with water before meals, twice a day for four months.
At the end of the study, the group that received the resistant starch treatment exhibited nearly 40% lower liver triglyceride levels compared to the control group.
The treatment also lowered levels of liver enzymes and inflammatory factors associated with NAFLD. These results were consistent even when adjusted for weight loss, highlighting the effectiveness of resistant starch independently of other factors.
Microbiota Changes
The study also analyzed fecal samples from the participants, revealing changes in the gut bacteria composition in those who consumed resistant starch.
Specifically, there was a significant reduction in Bacteroides stercoris, a bacterial species known to affect fat metabolism in the liver. This finding strengthens the results by suggesting a link between gut microbiota and liver health.
These findings demonstrate the significant potential of resistant starch as a cost-effective, non-intrusive, and sustainable treatment for NAFLD. Huating Li emphasizes the ease of incorporating resistant starch into a normal diet compared to strenuous exercise or strict weight loss programs.
This study also suggests that targeting gut microbiota could be a new therapeutic approach for managing NAFLD.
The research team plans to further investigate the role of resistant starch in NAFLD treatment, potentially paving the way for new therapeutic approaches. This study opens the door to more accessible and sustainable treatments for this common yet serious condition.
For those interested in liver health, other studies have shown that certain diets can treat fatty liver disease and obesity, and regular coffee consumption may halve the risk of liver cancer.
Recent research also indicates that an anti-inflammatory diet could help prevent fatty liver disease, and vitamin D may play a role in preventing NAFLD.
The research findings from this study are published in Cell Metabolism.
If you care about liver health, please read studies that refined fiber is link to liver cancer, and the best and worst foods for liver health.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how to boost your liver naturally, and simple ways to detox your liver.
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