Fat accumulation in the liver has become a widespread health menace among Americans, especially older women. But a study shows that the right foods and their beneficial phytonutrients may help ease the condition.
The researchers who focused on how to help restrict fat from accumulating in the liver, note that women going through menopause frequently experience weight problems linked to a decline in estrogen. But the weight-loss supplements they turn to that help shrink their waistlines may lead to extra fat in the liver. Subsequently, they may develop what is called non-alcoholic fatty liver, a very serious condition.
“Women going through menopause have an increased tendency to store fat in their livers,” says researcher Colette Miller at the University of Georgia. “They also have increases in visceral fat — the fat around their organs — where inflammation also occurs.”
Unfortunately, many weight-loss supplements that remove fat from the abdomen may send that fat to the liver. Once there, the fat may cause scarring and problematic inflammation Miller says.
Miller’s study shows that, along with vitamin D, quercetin, found in apples and onions; resveratrol, contained in grapes; and genistein, found in soy, can help eliminate some of the fat from the liver. Previous research demonstrates that these compounds can cause fat cells to rupture and disburse their contents.
Although individually these natural substances don’t provide significant help, together they exert a more powerful effect. Miller says they possess a synergistic influence that “cuts the doses you need.”
“We were able to demonstrate that our phytochemical treatment is shuttling the fat away from the fat tissue to be burned or stored elsewhere,” Miller said. “Ultimately what we saw was that there was no damage in the liver being caused by this increased fat associated with menopause.”
