Fatty liver disease has quietly become one of the most common health problems in the world. Millions of people have this condition without realizing it, and doctors are increasingly worried about its long‑term effects.
When too much fat builds up inside the liver, the organ cannot work properly. Over time, this can lead to inflammation, liver damage, and even serious conditions such as liver failure or liver cancer.
In recent years, scientists have renamed this condition metabolic dysfunction‑associated steatotic liver disease, or MASLD. It was previously known as non‑alcoholic fatty liver disease. The new name reflects the fact that the disease is closely linked to metabolic problems such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and insulin resistance.
MASLD is extremely common. Researchers estimate that about one in three adults worldwide may have some degree of fatty liver disease.
Because of modern lifestyles that often include high‑calorie diets and limited physical activity, the number of people affected by this condition continues to grow. Unfortunately, there are still very few approved medicines that directly treat the disease.
Doctors usually recommend lifestyle changes such as healthier diets, weight loss, and increased exercise. While these approaches can help, many people find them difficult to maintain over long periods of time. For this reason, scientists are searching for new treatments that can help protect the liver and restore its normal function.
A new study from researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem suggests that certain compounds from the cannabis plant may offer a promising new approach. The research was led by Professor Joseph (Yossi) Tam and Dr. Liad Hinden, along with doctoral student Radka Kočvarová and other members of the research team at the School of Pharmacy in the Faculty of Medicine.
Their findings were published in the scientific journal British Journal of Pharmacology.
The researchers focused on two natural compounds found in cannabis: cannabidiol, known as CBD, and cannabigerol, known as CBG. Unlike the compound THC, which causes the “high” associated with marijuana, CBD and CBG are non‑psychoactive. This means they do not produce intoxicating effects, which makes them more suitable for medical research.
Previous studies have suggested that CBD and CBG may have anti‑inflammatory and metabolic benefits. However, scientists did not fully understand how these compounds might influence liver health.
In the new study, the research team used advanced laboratory techniques to explore how CBD and CBG affect the way the liver manages energy and removes waste products. The scientists discovered that these compounds appear to improve liver health by changing how liver cells process energy and clean themselves internally.
One of the most surprising discoveries involved a molecule called phosphocreatine. This molecule acts as a kind of backup energy storage system in cells. It works like a small battery that helps supply energy when cells are under stress.
The researchers found that CBD and CBG increased levels of phosphocreatine in the liver. This suggests that the compounds help provide extra energy reserves that allow liver cells to function better even under the stress caused by high‑fat diets.
This finding is especially interesting because the liver normally does not rely heavily on this type of energy system. The discovery suggests that CBD and CBG may help the liver adapt and cope with metabolic stress in a new way.
The study also revealed another important effect inside liver cells. The compounds helped restore the activity of special enzymes known as cathepsins. These enzymes act like a cleaning crew inside tiny recycling centers within the cell called lysosomes.
Lysosomes are responsible for breaking down waste materials, damaged cell components, and excess fats. When this cleaning system stops working properly, harmful substances can build up inside cells and contribute to disease.
By restoring the activity of these enzymes, CBD and CBG helped liver cells clear away harmful fats and waste products more effectively.
The researchers also observed improvements in several important metabolic markers. Both compounds reduced levels of harmful lipids such as triglycerides and ceramides. Ceramides are particularly concerning because they are strongly linked to insulin resistance and inflammation, both of which play major roles in metabolic diseases.
In addition, both CBD and CBG helped normalize blood sugar levels and improved how the body processes glucose. These effects suggest that the compounds may help correct some of the metabolic problems that contribute to fatty liver disease.
Although both compounds showed benefits, the researchers noticed some differences between them. CBG appeared to produce stronger effects in certain areas. It was especially effective at reducing body fat and improving insulin sensitivity. It also lowered total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, which is often referred to as “bad” cholesterol.
Professor Tam explained that the study revealed a new biological mechanism through which these compounds support liver health. By improving both the energy balance of liver cells and their ability to remove waste, CBD and CBG help the liver handle fats more efficiently.
However, the researchers emphasize that the work is still at an early stage. The current study was conducted mainly in experimental models, and more research will be needed to determine whether the same benefits occur in humans.
Clinical trials involving patients will be necessary before these compounds can be developed into approved medical treatments. Scientists must also determine the safest doses and long‑term effects of using these substances for liver disease.
Even with these limitations, the findings represent an exciting step forward. The study suggests that plant‑derived compounds could play a role in treating metabolic diseases by improving how cells manage energy and remove harmful waste.
In reviewing the results, the research stands out because it identifies a completely new biological pathway that could be targeted in fatty liver disease. Instead of simply reducing fat levels, CBD and CBG appear to improve the underlying metabolic systems that keep liver cells healthy.
If future human studies confirm these results, these compounds may become part of a new generation of treatments for MASLD, a disease that currently affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide.
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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