Treatment of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease with Curcumin: A Randomized Placebo-controlled Trial

Phytother Res. 2016 Jun 8. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5659. [Epub ahead of print]
Treatment of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease with Curcumin: A Randomized Placebo-controlled Trial.

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global health problem. Although many aspects of NAFLD pathogenesis have been understood, there is a paucity of effective treatments to be used as the second line when lifestyle modification is insufficient. Curcumin, a natural polyphenol from turmeric, has been shown to be effective against development of hepatic steatosis and its progression to steatohepatitis, yet these beneficial effects have not been explored in clinical practice. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of curcumin on hepatic fat content as well as biochemical and anthropometric features of patients with NAFLD. In this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial, patients with ultrasonographic evidence of NAFLD were randomly assigned to receive an amorphous dispersion curcumin formulation (500 mg/day equivalent to 70-mg curcumin) or matched placebo for a period of 8 weeks. Liver fat content (assessed through ultrasonography), glycemic and lipid profile, transaminase levels, and anthropometric indices were evaluated at baseline and at the end of follow-up period. The clinical trial protocol was registered under the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials ID: IRCT2014110511763N18. Compared with placebo, curcumin was associated with a significant reduction in liver fat content (78.9% improvement in the curcumin vs 27.5% improvement in the placebo group). There were also significant reductions in body mass index and serum levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, glucose, and glycated hemoglobin compared with the placebo group. Curcumin was safe and well tolerated during the course of trial. Findings of the present proof-of-concept trial suggested improvement of different features of NAFLD after a short-term supplementation with curcumin.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27270872

Hi Yoly,I am having problems with my GGT going up again. It has gone from 72 to 102 since Feb. Due, I believe, to Rivaroxaban. I shall take some of the termeric extract you mentioned in the post and see if it works. My other liver readings are normal. regards Derek

yoly wrote:Phytother Res. 2016 Jun 8. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5659. [Epub ahead of print]
Treatment of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease with Curcumin: A Randomized Placebo-controlled Trial.

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global health problem. Although many aspects of NAFLD pathogenesis have been understood, there is a paucity of effective treatments to be used as the second line when lifestyle modification is insufficient. Curcumin, a natural polyphenol from turmeric, has been shown to be effective against development of hepatic steatosis and its progression to steatohepatitis, yet these beneficial effects have not been explored in clinical practice. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of curcumin on hepatic fat content as well as biochemical and anthropometric features of patients with NAFLD. In this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial, patients with ultrasonographic evidence of NAFLD were randomly assigned to receive an amorphous dispersion curcumin formulation (500 mg/day equivalent to 70-mg curcumin) or matched placebo for a period of 8 weeks. Liver fat content (assessed through ultrasonography), glycemic and lipid profile, transaminase levels, and anthropometric indices were evaluated at baseline and at the end of follow-up period. The clinical trial protocol was registered under the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials ID: IRCT2014110511763N18. Compared with placebo, curcumin was associated with a significant reduction in liver fat content (78.9% improvement in the curcumin vs 27.5% improvement in the placebo group). There were also significant reductions in body mass index and serum levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, glucose, and glycated hemoglobin compared with the placebo group. Curcumin was safe and well tolerated during the course of trial. Findings of the present proof-of-concept trial suggested improvement of different features of NAFLD after a short-term supplementation with curcumin.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27270872

Another prawn curry bites the dust. Curcumin (turmeric) actually tastes good too . . .

Derek, have you considered milk thistle? Some people have had good results with liver problems, don't know if it would be relevant?

Reversing problems with liver take time of the correct diet, little fructose, low carb and good fats. Thinks that can help speed the process of repair. There is TUDCA is kind of expensive used mostly by body builders. There is also more traditional ones like milk thistle(silymarin), turmeric(curcumin), N-Acetyl-Cysteine(NAC).

You need also need enough choline in the diet(eggs, etc.) if you are going to supplement with choline the more natural is phosphatidyl choline but choline bitratate is cheaper. There is also osthole from cnidium monnieri but is harder to find with enough of the active osthole. Some can have side effects so you need to test what work for you long term.

Recently I read that possibly the reason Omega 6 oils reduce LDL is that they damage the liver and hence the lipoprotein metabolism. Definitely something to reduce if you have liver problems.

Hi Guys, thanks for your responses to my comments. I'm going to have a scan and change meds. Already cut down on omega 6, Have 2-4 free range eggs per day, oily fish 3x per week and supplements.I can't take curcumen with Rivaroxaban, may cause bleeding.
Another GGT next week.

My total cholesterol was 6.8 last time, ldl 1.6 trigs 1.0. So I probably have too much ldl.A med I take, Eplerenone ups ldl and causes liver problems.
atb
Derek