Konjac glucomannan may improve symptoms of fatty liver, new study suggests (2024)

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Konjac glucomannan may improve symptoms of fatty liver, new study suggests? ›

Konjac glucomannan may improve symptoms of fatty liver, new study suggests. A recently published study on rats sheds light on the potential liver health benefits of glucomannans from konjac, a plant native to Asia. When rats were fed a high-fat diet, they developed symptoms of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

The total cholesterol levels in the liver were significantly lower in rats fed 10% refined konjac meal than in those fed 1% cholesterol at four weeks. At 12 weeks, however, all treated groups showed reduced total cholesterol in the liver in comparison with the high-cholesterol control group.

Try an omega-3 supplement

They're known to have benefits for heart health and are often recommended for people with NAFLD. Research suggests that taking an omega-3 supplement may reduce liver fat and improve cholesterol levels.

The newly approved medication, Rezdiffra, targets a protein directly in the liver and reduces liver fat, inflammation, and scarring. Clinical trials found it can halt the progression of fibrosis or even reverse it. It's intended to be used along with a healthy diet and exercise.

While the konjac noodles seem like a miracle discovery with few calories and carbohydrates, I would caution you to consume them in moderation like you would any other food. You need a balance of macronutrients to feel your best and you don't want to get too much of any individual food (even healthy ones).

While some common ingredients in liver cleanses have been shown to have positive results — milk thistle has been shown to decrease liver inflammation, and turmeric extract has been shown to protect against liver injury — there have not been adequate clinical trial data in humans to recommend the routine use of these ...

The most effective fatty liver treatment involves a change in lifestyle. Weight loss is helpful. “But the weight loss has to be pretty significant,” says Loomba. You have to lose about 7% of your body weight to resolve NASH.

Lose Weight

Even dropping just 5% of your body weight could lower the fat in your liver. Lose between 7% and 10% of your body weight and you'll lower inflammation and the odds of injury to your liver cells. You might even reverse some of the damage. Go slow -- 1 to 2 pounds per week is fine.

“Milk thistle, specifically its active compound called silymarin, is one of the most well-known supplements for liver health,” says Schleiger. She notes that it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which may support the function of the liver.

What is the number 1 medicine for fatty liver? ›

Resmetirom (Rezdiffra) can help reduce the amount of fat that collects in the liver. This medicine is not recommended for people with cirrhosis. For those who have cirrhosis due to NASH, a liver transplant may be needed.

In some cases, the liver damage stops or even reverses itself. But in others, the disease continues to progress. If you have NASH, it's important to control any conditions that may contribute to fatty liver disease.

Rezdiffra is approved for adults with NASH who have moderate to advanced scarring of the liver, which is the case for an estimated 6 to 8 million Americans. Chronic overnutrition is a major contributor to the development of NASH, says Wajahat Mehal, MD, director of the Yale Metabolic Health & Weight Loss Program.

The relatively high cholesterol in egg yolks can cause more fat to accumulate in the liver. Eating a lot of eggs increases the amount of protein and lipid, creating a burden on the liver, the liver has to work more actively. Leads to cirrhosis of the liver getting worse.

Foods that are high in sugar, fat, and salt put extra stress on the liver. Fast food, packaged foods, and processed foods tend to contain a lot of these elements.

Several countries have banned the use of konjac because of the high incidence of bowel or throat obstruction. Children and pregnant or breastfeeding people should not take konjac supplements. Stop taking konjac and get medical help if you have symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as: difficulty breathing.

Common ones include bloating, diarrhea, gas, upset stomach, and burping (Wharton, 2019). It's rare, but there have been occasional reports of more severe reactions. For example, supplements can expand inside your digestive tract and cause a blockage.

One lab study found that konjac glucomannan supplements reduced total cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins (LDL or “bad cholesterol”). “The fibrous glucomannan gel coats the lining of your intestines, so food particles move through without a lot of absorption into the bloodstream,” says Culbertson.