Milk Thistle
Milk thistle is a natural source of silymarin, a powerful antioxidant. A small 2021 study suggested that milk thistle could be beneficial for treating MASLD. But, as Dr. Kwo points out, “There’s scant evidence that silymarin is truly beneficial to MASLD patients. It’s safe, but it’s not necessarily beneficial.”
Beetroot
A 2023 study tested the effects of beetroot juice on MASLD patients’ liver enzymes and lipid profiles. It found that beetroot juice alone can help improve these numbers slightly, but when combined with the Mediterranean diet, it had a significant positive impact on MASLD patients.
Results of another study published in 2019 also showed that beetroot supplementation could improve clinical symptoms of MASLD, decrease liver enzymes, and improve lipid profiles when also prescribed alongside lifestyle modification and pharmacological treatment.
Hashmi says the diet and lifestyle piece is key here. “When people take supplements they often think they are helping their liver enzymes to calm down, but oftentimes they just give it time and take away the offending agent and the liver heals itself,” says Hashmi.
Vitamin E
An article published in January 2024 found that increasing dietary sources of vitamin E can be beneficial for preventing MASLD. This is again met with caution as both the Mayo Clinic and Kwo warn that prolonged use of vitamin E has been linked to insulin resistance and an increased risk of prostate cancer.
Overall the data is inconclusive. Although numerous supplements demonstrate promising effects, the consensus among doctors and researchers is that a healthy diet, limited alcohol intake, and successful weight loss is the only unequivocally effective strategy for enhancing liver function and helping with diseases.
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