Adults with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease who consumed about two tablespoons of ground flaxseed each day experienced a greater decline in liver fat than those receiving health education alone, according to a randomized clinical trial using MRI scans.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Adding 30 grams of ground flaxseed to the daily diet may help reduce fat stored in the liver while improving several measures of metabolic health, according to a 12-week randomized controlled trial involving adults with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Researchers led by Y. Tian enrolled 50 adults diagnosed with the condition and divided them into two equal groups. Twenty-five participants received standard health education along with 30 grams of flaxseed powder each day, an amount roughly equal to two tablespoons. The remaining participants received the same health education without the flaxseed intervention.
Unlike studies that estimate liver health primarily through blood tests, the researchers used magnetic resonance imaging to measure fat within the liver directly. MRI scans conducted during the trial showed that participants consuming flaxseed experienced significantly greater reductions in liver fat than those in the control group.
The decline in liver fat was the study’s primary outcome. Researchers also collected stool samples and measured blood sugar, cholesterol, body composition and indicators of liver stress to determine whether the intervention produced broader changes.
By the end of the study, participants in the flaxseed group had lower body fat percentages, smaller areas of visceral fat and reduced triglyceride levels. Visceral fat is stored around internal organs and is associated with a higher risk of metabolic and cardiovascular disease.
Total bilirubin and aspartate aminotransferase also declined in the flaxseed group. Both are commonly measured when evaluating liver function and possible liver stress, although neither marker alone can establish the severity of liver disease.
Participants consuming flaxseed recorded increases in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein A1. HDL is commonly described as the protective form of cholesterol, while apolipoprotein A1 is a major protein component of HDL particles.
The results indicate that the intervention may have affected several metabolic processes at once rather than merely changing the amount of fat stored in the liver.
Stool analysis also found shifts in the intestinal microbiome. Levels of Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides increased among participants receiving flaxseed, while the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes declined.
Researchers also reported lower levels of Coriobacteriaceae, a bacterial family they categorized among potentially harmful strains in the context of the study.
Flaxseed contains several compounds that could help explain the findings. The seeds are rich in soluble and insoluble fiber, lignans and alpha-linolenic acid, a plant-derived omega-3 fatty acid.
Soluble fiber can serve as a food source for beneficial intestinal bacteria. Changes in the gut microbiome may influence inflammation, blood sugar regulation, fat metabolism and the movement of compounds between the intestines and liver.
Lignans are plant compounds with antioxidant activity and mild phytoestrogenic properties. Alpha-linolenic acid has been examined in other research for possible effects on cholesterol, blood pressure and cardiovascular health.
The trial did not establish that any one flaxseed component was solely responsible for the liver-fat reduction. The researchers’ findings suggest that fiber, fatty acids, lignans and microbiome changes may have acted through several overlapping pathways.
The study’s use of MRI strengthened the findings because investigators measured liver fat directly rather than inferring improvement solely from liver-enzyme changes. The trial was limited, however, by its small group of 50 participants and relatively brief 12-week duration.
The results do not show that flaxseed can cure or reverse nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Larger and longer studies will be needed to determine whether the improvements persist, whether they reduce progression to more serious liver damage and whether similar effects occur in broader populations.
People incorporating flaxseed into their diets generally receive more nutritional benefit from ground seeds than from whole flaxseed. The outer hull can resist digestion, allowing intact seeds to pass through the body without releasing much of their fiber, lignans or fatty acids.
Whole flaxseed can be ground with a small coffee or spice grinder shortly before use. Ground flaxseed can then be stirred into oatmeal, yogurt or smoothies.
The study dose was 30 grams per day, but a sudden increase in fiber may cause bloating, gas or digestive discomfort. Beginning with approximately 1 teaspoon and gradually increasing the amount over one or two weeks may improve tolerance.
Adequate fluid intake is also important because flaxseed’s soluble fiber absorbs water. People with digestive disorders, those taking medication or anyone receiving treatment for liver disease should discuss major dietary or supplement changes with an appropriate medical professional.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease can develop without obvious symptoms and is often discovered after abnormal bloodwork or imaging performed for another reason. Weight management, physical activity and broader dietary changes remain central recommendations for reducing liver fat and metabolic risk.
The trial nevertheless offers evidence that a relatively inexpensive and widely available food may provide an additional practical option. After 12 weeks, daily ground flaxseed was associated with measurable improvements in liver fat, body composition, blood lipids, liver-stress markers and intestinal bacteria.
Source: Natural News
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