Vitamin E helps people suffering from obesity-related nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, reports the New England Journal of Medicine.
For the first time, a vitamin dietary supplement has proven to be helpful in treating a serious disease that is not caused by a nutrient deficiency, say researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University in the United States. However, they point out that vitamin E should not be taken without medical supervision as it may increase the risk of other health complications.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease typically occurs in middle-aged people who are overweight or obese. It is a chronic inflammation that can lead to liver fibrosis and, in severe cases, even cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.
The study involved 247 people with advanced fatty liver disease who were randomized to one of three groups: the first took vitamin E, the second the diabetes drug Actos (previously shown that the disease may be related to insulin resistance), and the third placebo.
After comparing the biopsy results taken at the start of the study and two years later, the researchers found that the liver had improved in 43 percent of the subjects. people using vitamin E, compared with 19 percent. in the placebo group.
The condition of the subjects who took the diabetes drug improved to a much lesser extent. In this group, however, an average weight gain of 4,5 kg was observed.
Honestly, I was amazed. Vitamins have not previously been used to treat serious conditions that are not caused by a deficiency, says researcher Dr. Arun Sanyal.
According to other experts, vitamin E may provide hope above all for patients whose disease is advanced and progressive. However, they are not sure that it will also work for people whose symptoms are not getting worse. Scientists also emphasize that in the case of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, the most important are changes in the way of eating and physical activity (PAP).