Is it True that Tocotrienols are Beneficial for People with Fatty Liver Disease?
It takes no genius to understand why people are dealing with fatty liver these days. Look out, and you will see how people are munching on food items loaded with sugar, fat, and salt. These convenience foods may be quick and taste bud-friendly, but they’re also extra burden on your liver. That constant snacking habit can lead to Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD).
But here’s the interesting part: science isn’t sitting still on this issue. Dr. Barrie Tan has been researching the potential of tocotrienols—a lesser-known form of vitamin E—and they might just hold some promise for tackling NAFLD. Exciting, right?
In this piece, we will walk you through Dr. Tan’s research on Tocotrienols for Fatty Liver Disease. Stick around to find out how these powerful little compounds could make a difference!
Let's first understand Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.
What is Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease?
NAFLD simply means the buildup of unwanted fat in at least 5% of liver cells that take a toll on your liver. There are two types of fatty liver condition:
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Alcoholic fatty liver disease: This type of fatty liver disease is due to heavy alcohol abuse.
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Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): This is the most common chronic liver disease in the United States (estimated about 24% of adults have NAFLD). Unlike alcoholic fatty liver disease, NAFLD is not due to heavy alcohol use. Rather, it is often linked to obesity and an unhealthy lifestyle.
NAFLD has further two subgroups:
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Nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL): The mildest form
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Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH): The more severe form
NAFLD has no known cure. However, the following lifestyle modifications can help control the condition:
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Weight loss is the first line of therapy and the best-known treatment for NAFLD and NASH so far.
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Eat a balanced diet with less salt, and include non-starchy vegetables for extra benefit.
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Aim to lose 3 to 5 percent of your body weight through exercise to help decrease harmful liver fat, and strive for a 7 percent loss to further reduce inflammation
Now, the extensive ongoing work of Dr. Barrie Tan on Tocotrienols for Fatty Liver Disease, particularly nonalcoholic ones, is bringing some hope in dealing with this pervasive condition.
Let's see what one of his studies is revealing.
Dr. Tan’s Work on Tocotrienols for Fatty Liver Disease Mitigation!
Dr. Barrie Tan focused on NAFLD because of the growing epidemic linked to modern lifestyle and diet. He noticed that for every person with cirrhosis due to alcohol, there are 20 to 40 people with NAFLD, mirroring its prevalence and the urgent need for treatment options.
He was also motivated by the liver’s intolerance to fat buildup and the severe progression of NAFLD to conditions like nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which can require liver transplants. He saw Tocotrienols for Fatty Liver Disease mitigation as a potential therapeutic approach, particularly because they offer anti-inflammatory and unwanted bad-lowering effects without the side effects of conventional treatments like statins.
Dr. Barrie Tan became worried about NAFLD (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease) because it’s becoming more common due to modern lifestyles and diets. He noticed that for every person with liver damage from alcohol, there are 20 to 40 people dealing with NAFLD, highlighting how widespread the issue is and how much we need effective treatments.
He was especially worried about fat accumulation in the liver, which sometimes requires a liver transplant. Dr. Tan saw Tocotrienols from annatto as a promising option to help manage NAFLD because they can reduce inflammation and lower bad cholesterol, without the side effects often caused by traditional treatments like statins.
Dr. Barrie Tan's clinical trial on Tocotrienol benefits for the liver in people with NAFLD:
There are three phases of one of his studies:
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Three-Month Study
Objective: To monitor liver enzyme levels (ALT and AST) to see if they increase or not.
Findings: Showed that tocotrienol supplementation actually led to a reduction in these enzymes, indicating improved liver health and a reduction in liver stress.
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Six-Month Study
Objective (Extended Observations): His six-month study digs deeper, extending the observations made in the three-month phase.
Inflammation Check: In addition to liver enzyme levels, this phase examined whether inflammation within the liver was contained or not. Using ultrasound scans, the study assessed the presence and progression of fat in the liver.
Findings: Indicated a significant reduction in liver inflammation and a visible decrease in bad fat content, suggesting that tocotrienol could be effective in reducing liver fat and mitigating inflammation over a longer period.
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Twelve-Month Study
Objective: His twelve-month study aimed to confirm and extend findings from the previous phases. It measured liver health over a more extended period to see if tocotrienol’s effects were sustainable.
Method: CAT scans were used instead of liver biopsies as biopsies were deemed too invasive.
Findings: The study found that tocotrienol not only reduced liver fat but also prevented the progression to more severe conditions like NASH (Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis), which could eventually require liver transplants. The sustained improvements in liver health markers demonstrated that tocotrienol could consistently support liver health over a longer duration.
Note: Studies on Tocotrienol's benefits for the liver condition are still in the early stages of research, and further research is needed to confirm the extent of these benefits. Do not take it as a substitute for your prescribed medicine.
Conclusion
While research on Tocotrienols benefits for the liver or Vitamin E dose for fatty liver is still ongoing, the early results are promising. Tocotrienols from annatto, a powerful form of plant-based Vitamin E, offer antioxidant benefits that may support liver health and slow the progression of fatty liver. If you’re a fitness enthusiast aiming to promote long-term liver health, incorporating tocotrienol-rich products could be a valuable addition to your wellness routine. By supporting liver function and reducing inflammation, tocotrienols might just be the boost your liver needs on your fitness journey.
Disclaimer:
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6601449/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1egvUhOAKI8
